The basic steps to swap out an empty cartridge

To change ink on a Canon Pixma, you open the printer's access door, wait for the cartridge holder to move to the center, push down on the empty cartridge until it clicks, and pull it straight out. Then you unwrap the new cartridge, remove the protective tape and seal, insert it into the empty slot, and push down until it clicks again. The printer will run a short setup cycle before you can print.

The exact location of the access door and the number of cartridges you have depend on your specific Pixma model. Some models have four cartridges (black, cyan, magenta, yellow), while others have five or six if they include a gray cartridge or separate photo black. Check your printer's manual or the label on the top or front of the machine to find out which model you own.

Key Takeaways

  • The cartridge holder will not move until you open the access door and the printer powers on, so do not try to force it by hand.
  • Always remove the protective yellow tape and foil seal from a new cartridge before inserting it, or the printer will not recognize it.
  • If the printer displays an error after you insert a new cartridge, remove it, check that the seal is fully removed, and reinsert it firmly until you hear a click.
  • Cartridges are model-specific, so buying the wrong one means a wasted trip — write down your exact model number before you shop.

Finding your printer model and the right cartridge type

Your Canon Pixma model number appears on a label on the back or bottom of the printer, usually starting with "MG", "TS", or "TR". Write this number down before you buy cartridges, because Canon makes dozens of Pixma models and each uses different cartridges. A cartridge for a TS3520 will not fit a TS3522, even though the names are nearly identical.

Once you have the model number, you can find the correct cartridge type on Canon's website or on the box your printer came in. The manual will also list the cartridge part numbers. When you buy cartridges at a store or online, match the part number exactly — the box will say something like "PG-245XL" or "CLI-246M" (the letters at the end indicate the color: BK for black, C for cyan, M for magenta, Y for yellow).

Opening the printer and locating the cartridges

Turn on your Pixma and open the access door. On most models, this is a panel on the top or front of the printer that swings or slides open. Once you open it, the cartridge holder will move automatically to the center of the printer — this takes a few seconds. Do not try to move the holder yourself or you may damage the printer.

Inside, you will see a row of colored cartridge slots. Each slot is labeled with a color icon (black square, cyan circle, magenta circle, yellow circle, and sometimes gray). The empty cartridge you need to replace will be the one that is either missing or visibly low on ink. If you are not sure which one is empty, your printer's screen or a light on the cartridge holder will indicate which color needs replacing.

Removing the empty cartridge safely

Press down on the empty cartridge until you hear or feel a click. This releases the cartridge from its slot. Pull the cartridge straight out toward you — do not wiggle it side to side, as this can damage the contacts on the cartridge or the printer.

Set the empty cartridge aside. Do not throw it away when ready if you think you might need to return it to a store for recycling or a refund, as some retailers offer small discounts for used cartridges. If you are keeping it, store it in a cool, dry place in case you need it later for troubleshooting.

Installing the new cartridge and running the setup

Remove the new cartridge from its box and look for a yellow protective tape or foil seal on the cartridge. This seal prevents ink from leaking during shipping. Peel off all of the tape and foil — if you leave any behind, the printer will not recognize the cartridge and will display an error. Some cartridges have tape on multiple sides, so check the entire cartridge before inserting it.

Hold the new cartridge by its sides (not the top or bottom) and insert it into the empty slot at a slight downward angle. Push down firmly until you hear a click. The cartridge should sit flush with the holder — if it is sticking up or feels loose, remove it and reinsert it. Once all cartridges are seated, close the access door. The printer will run a short initialization cycle, which may take a minute or two. You will see a message on the printer's screen when it is done, and then you can print normally.

Troubleshooting common cartridge errors

If your printer displays an error message after you insert a new cartridge, the most common cause is that the protective seal was not fully removed. Open the access door again, remove the cartridge, and inspect it carefully for any remaining yellow tape or foil. Even a small piece left behind can trigger an error. Remove any remaining seal and reinsert the cartridge.

If the error persists, the cartridge contacts may be dirty. Remove the cartridge and use a clean, dry, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the metal contacts on the bottom and side of the cartridge. Do the same for the contacts inside the printer slot if you can see them. Reinsert the cartridge and close the door. If the error still appears, the cartridge itself may be defective — return it to the store where you bought it and request a replacement.

If your printer says "cartridge not recognized" but you have removed the seal and cleaned the contacts, try turning the printer off and on again. Sometimes a power cycle clears a temporary communication error between the printer and the cartridge.

When to replace cartridges and how to avoid running out

Your Canon Pixma will alert you when ink is running low — usually with a light on the cartridge holder or a message on the printer's screen. You do not have to replace a cartridge the moment it runs low, but printing with very low ink can produce faded or streaky output. Most people replace a cartridge when the warning appears, before the quality drops noticeably.

If you print frequently, keep a spare set of cartridges on hand so you are not caught without ink when you need to print something urgent. Cartridges stored in their original sealed packaging will last for years, so buying extras ahead of time is practical. If you print rarely, you may want to wait until a cartridge is actually empty before buying a replacement, since ink can dry out over time if a cartridge sits unused for many months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use third-party or refilled cartridges in my Canon Pixma?

Yes, many third-party and refilled cartridges work in Canon Pixma printers, though Canon only guarantees results with its own cartridges. Third-party cartridges are usually cheaper but may produce slightly different color or print quality. If you use non-Canon cartridges, keep your original cartridges in case you need to switch back for important prints.

What should I do if a cartridge leaks inside the printer?

Turn off the printer when ready and unplug it. Open the access door and remove the leaking cartridge. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe up any visible ink inside the printer. Let the printer dry for at least an hour before plugging it back in. If ink has soaked into the paper feed rollers, you may need to contact Canon support or take the printer to a repair shop.

Why does my printer say a cartridge is empty when it still has ink?

Canon printers estimate ink levels based on how much ink the cartridge has dispensed, not by actually measuring what is left. If a cartridge is stuck or not seated properly, the printer may think it is empty. Remove the cartridge, clean the contacts, and reinsert it firmly. If the error continues, the cartridge sensor may be faulty — try a different cartridge to confirm.

Do I need to do anything special before using my Pixma for the first time?

When you first set up a new Pixma, insert all of the cartridges that came with it, close the access door, and let the printer run its initialization cycle. This can take several minutes and will use some ink to clean the print heads. Do not interrupt this process or try to print before it finishes, or the printer may not work correctly.

Can I print in black and white if my color cartridges are empty?

No. Most Canon Pixma printers require all cartridges to be present and have at least some ink, even if you are printing in black and white only. If a color cartridge is empty, the printer will not print until you replace it. This is a design choice by Canon to keep the print heads clean and prevent damage.