{"id":78638,"date":"2026-07-22T18:47:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T15:47:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drivernew.com\/?p=78638"},"modified":"2026-07-22T18:47:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T15:47:22","slug":"canon-mg3600-smudges-paper-ink-on-the-back-and-edges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drivernew.com\/?p=78638","title":{"rendered":"Canon MG3600 Smudges Paper: Ink on the Back and Edges"},"content":{"rendered":"

Canon PIXMA MG3600 series may leave black or colored marks on the back of a sheet, stain the lower edge of the paper, or smear the image on the printed side.<\/p>\n

The problem occurs especially often after printing a large number of pages, using borderless printing, or automatic duplex printing. Ink gradually accumulates on the internal parts through which the paper passes and is then transferred to subsequent sheets.<\/p>\n

The main way to remove this contamination is Bottom Plate Cleaning<\/strong>. On MG3600 series, this procedure can be started directly from the multifunction printer\u2019s operation panel or through the Windows driver. A specially folded sheet of plain paper is used for cleaning.<\/p>\n

This guide applies to the following models:<\/p>\n

Canon PIXMA MG3610, MG3620, MG3640, MG3640S, MG3650, MG3650S, MG3660, MG3670, and MG3680.<\/strong><\/p>\n

All the devices listed above belong to Canon PIXMA MG3600 series.<\/p>\n

\n

The main solution is Bottom Plate Cleaning<\/strong><\/p>\n

You do not need to disassemble the multifunction printer or try to wipe the rollers through the paper feed opening.<\/p>\n

Prepare a new A4 or Letter sheet, fold it as instructed, and start the built-in cleaning procedure. As the sheet passes through the device, it will collect ink from the internal surfaces.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Identify the type of contamination<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Symptom<\/strong><\/td>\nMost useful action<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The back of the sheet becomes stained<\/td>\nPerform Bottom Plate Cleaning.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Marks appeared after borderless printing<\/td>\nPerform Bottom Plate Cleaning once or twice.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The second side becomes stained during duplex printing<\/td>\nClean the bottom plate and increase the ink drying wait time.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scuff marks appear on the printed side<\/td>\nFlatten the paper and enable paper abrasion prevention.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The next sheet smears the previous one<\/td>\nIncrease the ink drying wait time.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Only one document causes staining<\/td>\nCheck the paper size, media type, and print intensity.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Streaks appear only on copies<\/td>\nCheck and clean the platen glass.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Method 1. Perform Bottom Plate Cleaning from the multifunction printer\u2019s operation panel<\/h2>\n

This is the main method for cleaning the inside of Canon MG3600 series. A computer is not required for the procedure.<\/p>\n

Prepare:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • one new sheet of A4 or Letter plain paper;<\/li>\n
  • a flat surface for folding the sheet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    \n

    Use a new sheet each time<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Do not perform another cleaning cycle with the same sheet. The used paper already contains ink that may be transferred back inside the multifunction printer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    Step 1. Empty the front tray<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. Make sure that the multifunction printer is turned on.<\/li>\n
    2. Remove all paper from the front tray.<\/li>\n
    3. Make sure that no individual sheets remain in the tray.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Step 2. Make the first fold<\/h3>\n
        \n
      1. Take one new A4 or Letter sheet.<\/li>\n
      2. Fold the sheet in half widthwise.<\/li>\n
      3. Run your finger along the fold.<\/li>\n
      4. Unfold the sheet completely.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        One horizontal fold line should remain in the center of the sheet.<\/p>\n

        Step 3. Make the second fold<\/h3>\n
          \n
        1. Take one edge of the unfolded sheet.<\/li>\n
        2. Fold this edge to the center fold line.<\/li>\n
        3. Run your finger along the new fold.<\/li>\n
        4. Unfold the sheet completely again.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          After this, one half of the sheet will have two fold lines, while the other half will have only the center fold.<\/p>\n

          Step 4. Load the folded sheet correctly<\/h3>\n
            \n
          1. Position the sheet with the raised sides of the fold lines facing up.<\/li>\n
          2. Turn the half without the additional fold toward the multifunction printer.<\/li>\n
          3. Load only this sheet into the front tray.<\/li>\n
          4. The half without the additional fold must enter the multifunction printer first.<\/li>\n
          5. Push the sheet all the way to the back of the front tray.<\/li>\n
          6. Adjust the paper guides to the width of the sheet.<\/li>\n
          7. Open the paper output tray extension.<\/li>\n
          8. Open the paper output tray.<\/li>\n
          9. Extend the paper output support.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            \n

            How to remember the sheet position<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            • The fold lines face up.<\/li>\n
            • The half without the additional fold faces into the multifunction printer.<\/li>\n
            • Only one prepared sheet is loaded in the tray.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

              Step 5. Start cleaning<\/h3>\n
                \n
              1. Press and hold the Stop<\/strong> button.<\/li>\n
              2. Watch the Alarm lamp.<\/li>\n
              3. Release the Stop<\/strong> button when the Alarm lamp flashes eight times.<\/li>\n
              4. Wait for the sheet to be picked up and pass through the device.<\/li>\n
              5. Do not turn off the multifunction printer during the procedure.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                The sheet will pass through the device and collect contamination from the internal parts.<\/p>\n

                Step 6. Check the used sheet<\/h3>\n
                  \n
                1. Hold the ejected sheet by its clean edges.<\/li>\n
                2. Inspect the fold lines.<\/li>\n
                3. Check whether black or colored marks remain on them.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  If the fold lines are stained<\/h3>\n

                  Ink remained inside the multifunction printer. Prepare a new sheet and repeat the cleaning procedure one more time.<\/p>\n

                  If the second sheet is also heavily stained<\/h3>\n

                  Ink may remain on protruding internal parts. Proceed to the method for manually cleaning the protrusions.<\/p>\n

                  Method 2. Perform Bottom Plate Cleaning through the Windows driver<\/h2>\n

                  The same procedure can be started through the driver. The program displays instructions for folding and loading the sheet.<\/p>\n

                  The official Canon MG3600 series MP Drivers package must be installed.<\/p>\n

                  Step 1. Open the driver settings<\/h3>\n
                    \n
                  1. Make sure that the multifunction printer is turned on and accessible from the computer.<\/li>\n
                  2. Remove the paper from the front tray.<\/li>\n
                  3. Press Windows + R<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                  4. Enter:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                    control printers<\/pre>\n
                      \n
                    1. Click OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                    2. Find the device whose name contains Canon MG3600 series.<\/li>\n
                    3. Right-click it.<\/li>\n
                    4. Select Printing preferences<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                    5. Open the Maintenance<\/strong> tab.<\/li>\n
                    6. Click Bottom Plate Cleaning<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                      Step 2. Prepare the paper<\/h3>\n
                        \n
                      1. Take a new sheet of A4 or Letter plain paper.<\/li>\n
                      2. Fold it in half widthwise.<\/li>\n
                      3. Unfold the sheet.<\/li>\n
                      4. Fold one edge to the center fold line.<\/li>\n
                      5. Unfold the sheet again.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                        Step 3. Load the sheet<\/h3>\n
                          \n
                        1. Position the raised sides of the fold lines facing up.<\/li>\n
                        2. Direct the half without the additional fold into the multifunction printer.<\/li>\n
                        3. Load only one prepared sheet.<\/li>\n
                        4. Adjust the paper guides.<\/li>\n
                        5. Open the paper output tray.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                          Step 4. Perform cleaning<\/h3>\n
                            \n
                          1. In the driver window, click the button to run the procedure.<\/li>\n
                          2. Confirm that you want to start.<\/li>\n
                          3. Wait for the sheet to pass through.<\/li>\n
                          4. Inspect the fold lines.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                            If the sheet comes out stained, repeat the procedure using new paper.<\/p>\n
                            \n
                            Cleaning from the operation panel and through the driver is the same<\/strong><\/p>\n
                            You do not need to start the procedure from the operation panel and then immediately repeat it through Windows. Choose one control method. Always prepare a new sheet for the second cleaning cycle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
                            If the \u201cMaintenance\u201d tab is missing<\/h3>\n
                            Windows may have added the multifunction printer using a generic driver that does not include Canon-specific functions.<\/p>\n
                            In this case:<\/p>\n
                              \n
                            • perform cleaning from the operation panel after the Alarm lamp flashes eight times;<\/li>\n
                            • check whether the correct MG3600 series queue is selected;<\/li>\n
                            • install the official MP Drivers package if necessary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                              Method 3. Clean stained protrusions inside the multifunction printer<\/h2>\n
                              Use this method only if two Bottom Plate Cleaning cycles with new sheets did not remove the contamination.<\/p>\n
                              Ink may remain on small protrusions in the lower internal part of the device.<\/p>\n
                              \n
                              Always disconnect the power before manual cleaning<\/strong><\/p>\n
                              Turn off the multifunction printer using the power button and unplug the cable from the electrical outlet. Do not perform manual cleaning while the device is turned on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
                              What you will need<\/h3>\n
                                \n
                              • a clean cotton swab;<\/li>\n
                              • good lighting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                Cleaning procedure<\/h3>\n
                                  \n
                                1. Turn off the multifunction printer using the power button.<\/li>\n
                                2. Wait until all lamps turn off completely.<\/li>\n
                                3. Disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet.<\/li>\n
                                4. Remove the paper from the front tray.<\/li>\n
                                5. Open the paper output cover.<\/li>\n
                                6. Inspect the lower internal area through which the sheet passes.<\/li>\n
                                7. Find small protruding parts with ink marks.<\/li>\n
                                8. Carefully remove the ink with a dry cotton swab.<\/li>\n
                                9. Do not apply excessive force.<\/li>\n
                                10. Do not leave pieces of cotton inside.<\/li>\n
                                11. Close the paper output cover.<\/li>\n
                                12. Connect the power.<\/li>\n
                                13. Turn on the multifunction printer.<\/li>\n
                                14. Perform a test print.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                  \n
                                  Do not touch the clear film or other internal parts<\/strong><\/p>\n
                                  Clean only the visible stained protrusions in the paper path. Do not move the cartridge holder, wipe the clear film, or rotate the rollers manually.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
                                  Method 4. Enable paper abrasion prevention<\/h2>\n
                                  Use this setting if the printed surface itself becomes stained or scratched.<\/p>\n
                                  After the function is enabled, the multifunction printer slightly increases the distance between the print head and paper. This helps when the sheet is curled, has a thick coating, or absorbs a large amount of ink.<\/p>\n
                                  The function may reduce printing speed.<\/p>\n
                                  Enable it from the multifunction printer\u2019s operation panel<\/h3>\n
                                    \n
                                  1. Make sure that the multifunction printer is turned on.<\/li>\n
                                  2. Press and hold the Stop<\/strong> button.<\/li>\n
                                  3. Watch the Alarm lamp.<\/li>\n
                                  4. Release the button after the lamp flashes 11 times.<\/li>\n
                                  5. Press the Color<\/strong> button.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                    The paper abrasion prevention function will be enabled.<\/p>\n
                                    Disable the function<\/h3>\n
                                      \n
                                    1. Press and hold the Stop<\/strong> button.<\/li>\n
                                    2. Release it after the Alarm lamp flashes 11 times.<\/li>\n
                                    3. Press the Black<\/strong> button.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                      Enable it through the Windows driver<\/h3>\n
                                        \n
                                      1. Open Printing preferences<\/strong> for Canon MG3600 series.<\/li>\n
                                      2. Go to the Maintenance<\/strong> tab.<\/li>\n
                                      3. Click Custom Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                                      4. Select the Prevent paper abrasion<\/strong> checkbox.<\/li>\n
                                      5. Click OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                                      6. Confirm the settings change.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                        \n
                                        Disable the function after printing<\/strong><\/p>\n
                                        The setting also applies to subsequent jobs. After resolving the problem, disable paper abrasion prevention if plain paper prints normally again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
                                        Method 5. Increase the ink drying wait time<\/h2>\n
                                        When several sheets are printed in succession, the next sheet may come out before the ink on the previous sheet has dried completely. This is especially noticeable during:<\/p>\n