Low Ink Warnings / No Printing Allowed

As the electronics in the Canon ink cartridge and the printer communicate with each other, sometimes the printer will 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 210/211 (210XL, 211XL), 240/241 (240XL, 240XXL, 241XL), 243/244, or 245/246 (245XL, 246XL) cartridge’s ink low alert condition (blinking or illuminated ink lamps) perform the following ink reset procedures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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’ (or ‘Stop/Resume‘) 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: On select MX/MG printer models you may need to hold two buttons down – not just the stop button. You will need to hold the COLOR button (or black button) AND the STOP button for 5-8 seconds to reset the ink level monitor/counter feature.

 

NOTE 2: 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 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.

 

 

Poor Print Quality or Missing Colors:

If any streaks or missing colors appear on prints, thoroughly clean the cartridge’s electrical contacts and printer’s flex driver cable surface. If the cartridge is clogged then a warm water flush may be necessary to recover all colors. Click here for instructions.

Ink Cartridge & Service Station Cleaning

NOTE 3: 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 4: 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 210-211 Printer Reset and Error Recovery Procedures (select your printer model below):

Canon PIXMA iP2700, Canon PIXMA iP2702, Canon PIXMA MP230, Canon PIXMA MP240, Canon PIXMA MP250, Canon PIXMA MP270, Canon PIXMA MP280, Canon PIXMA MP480, Canon PIXMA MP490, Canon PIXMA MP495, Canon PIXMA MP499, Canon PIXMA MX320, Canon PIXMA MX330, Canon PIXMA MX340, Canon PIXMA MX350, Canon PIXMA MX360, Canon PIXMA MX410, Canon PIXMA MX420

 

Canon 240-241 Printer Reset and Error Recovery Procedures (select your printer model below):

Canon PIXMA MG3220, Canon PIXMA MG3222, Canon PIXMA MG3520, Canon PIXMA MG3522, Canon PIXMA MG4120, Canon PIXMA MG4220, Canon PIXMA MX372, Canon PIXMA MX392, Canon PIXMA MX432, Canon PIXMA MX439, Canon PIXMA MX452, Canon PIXMA MX459, Canon PIXMA MX512, Canon PIXMA MX522