A Canon MegaTank G7020 that prints pale, streaked or with missing colors despite full ink tanks has a clogged or air-starved printhead, because a refillable tank does not change the fact that this is an inkjet. The G7020 has large ink tanks filled from bottles, with a cost per page far below a cartridge printer, but the printhead has the same fine nozzles as any inkjet, and dried ink or air can block them. The tanks being full is therefore not a guarantee of a good print; the nozzles decide.
The checks in more detail
Print a nozzle check pattern from the printer's menu or from the Canon software. Hold the page to the light: a pattern with missing lines or gaps shows which color is blocked, and a clean pattern means the print path is fine. If lines are missing, run a Cleaning from the menu, which pushes ink through the nozzles, then print the pattern again; repeat once or twice. If a cleaning does not help, run a Deep Cleaning, which uses more ink and a stronger purge, then check again.
Do not run many cleanings in a row, since each uses ink and fills the waste ink absorber; give the printer a few hours to rest between attempts, since ink softens a clog over time. Check the tanks and the lines. If a tank was allowed to run dry, air has entered the line from the tank to the head, and a clog follows; refill, then run cleanings until the pattern is solid.
Make sure that you refilled with the matching bottle, using genuine GI-20 ink, and that the cap is closed. Check the paper setting, since printing on plain paper with a photo setting can look streaky. If prints show horizontal banding, align the printhead from the maintenance menu. Print something in color every week or two to keep the nozzles active. If nozzle checks stay poor after a deep cleaning and a rest, contact Canon support with the model number and the serial number, since the printhead may need service.
Differential
Likely causes of “Canon MegaTank PIXMA G7020 prints faded, streaked, banded or with missing colors”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A partly clogged printhead
What separates it Missing lines in the nozzle check
How to confirm Run Cleaning, then Deep Cleaning
- 2
Air in the line after a dry tank
What separates it Faded color after a refill
How to confirm Refill and clean until solid
- 3
A printer left unused
What separates it Streaks after weeks of idleness
How to confirm Clean and print regularly
- 4
Misalignment
What separates it Banding or doubled lines
How to confirm Align the printhead
- 5
A wrong paper or quality setting
What separates it The print looks pale
How to confirm Match the paper type and quality
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which colors are missing in the nozzle check
- Whether a tank ran dry
- How long the printer has been idle
- The ink used
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedPrint a nozzle check
ReversibleHold it to the light.
Run Cleaning
ReversibleThen check again.
Run Deep Cleaning
ReversibleIf still poor.
Rest the printer
ReversibleA few hours between.
Align the printhead
ReversibleFor banding.
Contact Canon
ReversibleIf it stays poor.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Still an inkjet
- Full tanks do not prevent clogs.
- The nozzle check
- It shows which color is blocked.
- Cleaning limits
- Do not run many in a row.
- Air
- A dry tank lets air into the line.
- Regular use
- Printing keeps the nozzles wet.
- Canon help
- Quote the model and serial number.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Do not use non-genuine ink if it voids your warranty
- !Do not run endless cleanings
- !Contact Canon if the printhead does not recover
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my MegaTank print faint with full tanks?+
The printhead is clogged.
How do I clean the printhead?+
Run Cleaning, then Deep Cleaning.
Does it waste ink?+
Cleanings use some ink.
Why must I never run a tank dry?+
Air causes clogs.
How often should I print?+
Every week or two.