How to make darker copies - Canon PIXMA MP210 Photo All-In-One Printer

go into the menu and look for copy/print settings. you should see an option to lighten or darken the copy. It should look like a ascending /descending slider. tap to the left for lighter or to the right for darker

Are you using Canon OEM ink?
Compatible inks will appear darker or lighter than you expect...

To get a "darker copy", load your document on the printer > launch Lexmark Imaging Studio on your computer > click Copy > select Document or Photo > click Start > from the Quality drop-down list, select the best copy quality > click Copy Now.
For your other concern, please contact Lexmark technical support for additional assistance.

There may be spilled toner inside the copier, Free the drum and paper way of toner an ensure the toner container is not over full. do proper cleaning and the copier will be okay.

I would suggest replacing the drum cartridge, sounds like your drum cleaning blade has failed.

Bad cartridge

When was the drum replace? Recently? Could it be time again?
Was it a remanufactured unit?
Regardless of all that, It sounds to me like the drum is failing.

for making darker copies it will always be on top where all the functions are.

all copiers are different will have different access.

Did you put the old cartridge back in with the same out come? Also when the orginal is being scaned dose the scanning lamp turn off in the middle of a copy?

Digital copiers will copy very light if the optics (mirrors, ccd lens) are dusty (opposite to the old analogue copiers which got darker) Clean whatever you can get at with a soft dry cloth.If it prints light from your computer then it won't be the optics, could be the ROS unit. If the ROS unit is dirty that's somewhat more complicated, the only bit you can get at is the ROS window, you'll have to pull the drum out and clean the glass window you can see from there