Low ink warnings / No printing allowed

As the electronics in the Canon ink cartridge and the printer communicate with each other, the printer may incorrectly identify an ink cartridge as empty or non-functional, and printing will not be allowed.  Typically, the printer’s Power/Ink level light will be blinking or an error message may be displayed (i.e. “Ink Has Run Out”) during the error condition.

To reset the Canon 50 or 51 ink low alert condition (blinking ink lamps/error code) perform the following ink reset procedure:

 

Standard Ink Level Reset Procedure:

1) Install cartridge and start print job.

2) After first message appears, click ‘OK’ to continue. Printer should start printing.

3) If second message appears and printer’s LCD screen displays error code “E”, then DO NOT click ‘CANCEL PRINTING’.

4) Press and hold down ‘Stop’/’Reset’ button (triangle-circle icon) on your printer for 5-8 seconds until the ink low indicators turn off or printer LCD displays a “1” (select models).

 

NOTE 1: Following printer reset the ink low indicator may remain illuminated (steady, but not flashing) and you should still be able to print. If the respective indicator light continues to flash or displays an error code and printing is not permitted, then the cartridge may have suffered an internal electrical failure.

ALTERNATIVE PRINTER RESET PROCEDURES:

Support Documentation: Canon Printer Reset Methods  (PDF)

 

Flashing Ink Indicator Lights / Error Codes Displayed:  

If you still have an error condition which prohibits printing, then the ink cartridge may have internal electrical damage (micro-electronics failure); such a failure is unrelated to the ink cartridge refilling process and naturally occurs with time, use and age of ink cartridge. Typically, when the cartridge fails the problem is ‘masked’ by the ink out/empty condition so it can be difficult to distinguish between the two.

 

NOTE 2: A compatible ink cartridge can be problematic when installed into the printer following refilling. Compatible cartridges are typically purchased on-line or at select retailers (i.e  sold under a different label than the regular Canon cartridge packaging) and is essentially a “knock-off cartridge” of the Canon original/genuine ink cartridge. For the best refilling experience, only use Canon original/genuine or remanufactured Canon ink cartridges.

NOTE 3: All cartridges being repeatedly refilled eventually do fail.  Some cartridges/printers may encounter an unavoidable mechanical or electrical failure which is unrelated to refilling.  Check for physical damage on the cartridge.  Look at the print cartridge and see if there are any cracks, tears or missing elements.  Any one of these can cause a failure.  In these cases, you will need to purchase a new cartridge and start the refill process again after it has run out.

 

Canon 50-51 Printers (select your printer model below):

Canon PIXMA MP150, Canon PIXMA MP160, Canon PIXMA MP170, Canon PIXMA MP180, Canon PIXMA MP450, Canon PIXMA MP460, Canon PIXMA MX300, Canon PIXMA MX310, Canon PIXMA MX318, Canon FAX JX200, Canon FAX JX210P, Canon PIXMA iP6210D, Canon PIXMA iP6220D, Canon PIXMA iP6310D