When your Canon PIXMA TR4720 produces prints with inaccurate colors—whether colors appear washed out, too saturated, shifted toward another hue, or completely wrong—you're dealing with a Canon PIXMA TR4720 color mismatch issue. This common problem affects photos, business documents, and graphics alike, and typically stems from one of several identifiable causes. The good news: most color mismatch problems on the TR4720 can be resolved without professional printer repair. This guide walks you through proven troubleshooting steps to restore accurate color output, whether you're printing from Windows, macOS, or mobile devices.
Common Causes of Color Mismatch on the PIXMA TR4720
Before diving into fixes, understand what triggers color problems on this all-in-one inkjet. The TR4720 uses a hybrid ink system with pigment black (PG-275) for sharp text and dye-based color cartridges (CLI-276) for vibrant photos. When these inks aren't properly recognized, aligned, or calibrated, color accuracy suffers. Software settings, paper type selection, and environmental factors like humidity also play significant roles in color reproduction quality.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting to Fix Printer Color Issues
1
Verify Ink Cartridge Installation and Levels: Open the front cover of your PIXMA TR4720 and check that all four cartridges (PG-275 Black, CLI-276 Cyan, CLI-276 Magenta, CLI-276 Yellow) are properly seated until they click into place. Remove and reinstall any cartridge that feels loose. Through the printer's LCD screen, navigate to Setup → Device Settings → Estimated Ink Levels. If any color shows critically low or unrecognized, replace with genuine Canon CLI-276 cartridges—third-party or refilled cartridges frequently cause color mismatch issues due to incompatible chip communication or formulation differences.
2
Print and Evaluate a Nozzle Check Pattern: From the TR4720's control panel, go to Setup → Maintenance → Print nozzle check pattern. Examine the printed grid for missing lines, gaps, or faint colors. Any interruption in the cyan, magenta, or yellow patterns indicates clogged nozzles. If you see gaps, run the Deep Cleaning function (Setup → Maintenance → Deep Cleaning), select the affected color group, and print another nozzle check. Avoid running more than two deep cleanings consecutively, as this consumes significant ink and can actually worsen print quality if the underlying issue is air in the lines rather than dried ink.
3
Perform Print Head Alignment: Misalignment between the TR4720's print head and paper path causes color fringing and registration errors that appear as color mismatch. Access Setup → Maintenance → Auto print head alignment on the printer itself, or use the IJ Printer Assistant Tool on Windows (found in Start → Canon → IJ Printer Assistant Tool) for more precise manual alignment options. The printer will print a test pattern and automatically adjust the head position. For best results, use plain A4 or Letter-size paper and ensure the paper guides are snug against the edges.
4
Calibrate Color Through Software: Color management settings often override the printer's native output. In Windows, open Devices and Printers, right-click Canon TR4720 series → Printing Preferences → Main tab, and set Color/Intensity to "Manual" with "Matching" set to "Driver Matching Mode" rather than ICM or host-based color management. On macOS, select the TR4720 in System Settings → Printers & Scanners, open Options & Supplies, and in the Driver tab ensure "ColorSync" is not forcing an incompatible profile. For photo printing specifically, choose the correct media type (Photo Paper Plus Glossy II, etc.) as this dramatically shifts color rendering on Canon inkjets.
5
Update Firmware and Reset Printer Settings: Outdated firmware can cause communication errors affecting color output. Visit Canon's support site, search for PIXMA TR4720, and download the latest firmware updater. Run the utility with the printer connected via USB for stability. If color problems persist after software fixes, perform a settings reset: Setup → Device Settings → Reset Settings → Reset All. This restores factory defaults for color profiles, paper settings, and maintenance counters. You'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi afterward, but this eliminates corrupted calibration data as a culprit.
6
Check Environmental and Paper Factors: The TR4720's dye-based color inks are humidity-sensitive; extremely dry conditions (below 30% RH) cause faster nozzle drying and altered dot gain. Store paper in its original packaging until use, as moisture absorption changes how ink sits on the surface. Ensure you're selecting the exact paper type in print settings—using "Plain Paper" settings on photo paper produces dramatically different color results than the "Photo Paper" profile, which adjusts ink density and drying time. For critical color work, use Canon-branded photo papers with embedded ICC profiles for this printer family.
⚠️ Important: Never mix genuine Canon and third-party cartridges in the same printer. The TR4720's ink recognition system can generate conflicting data that corrupts color mixing algorithms, leading to unpredictable and difficult-to-diagnose Canon PIXMA TR4720 color mismatch problems. If you've previously used non-Canon inks, run two standard cleanings and one deep cleaning with genuine cartridges installed before attempting color-critical prints.
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Why does my Canon PIXMA TR4720 print green instead of black?
This specific color mismatch occurs when the pigment black (PG-275) cartridge is empty, clogged, or not recognized, forcing the printer to composite "black" from cyan, magenta, and yellow—which typically yields a dark green-brown. Check that the PG-275 is properly installed and has ink. Also verify in printing preferences that "Grayscale Printing" isn't selected with "High Quality" (which uses color inks for gray tones), and that "Black Only" mode is active when you want true black output.
Can I fix color mismatch without replacing cartridges?
Yes, if the cartridges contain sufficient ink and are genuine Canon products. Start with print head cleaning and alignment, then verify software color management settings. However, if cartridges are more than 6 months old or have been refilled, replacement is usually necessary for reliable color accuracy. Dye-based inks like the CLI-276 series degrade over time even when unused, leading to shifted color reproduction that no amount of cleaning corrects.
How often should I print to prevent color mismatch on the TR4720?
Canon recommends printing at least once weekly to keep nozzles clear and ink flowing properly. If you print infrequently, the dye-based color nozzles dry faster than the pigment black, causing the characteristic color shift when you do print. Enable "Keep Print Head Healthy" in the printer's maintenance settings, or manually print a small color document weekly. For extended idle periods, power off using the printer's button (not a surge protector) so the cap mechanism properly seals the print head.