Open the printer and locate the cartridge slot

Turn on your Canon Pixma printer and wait for it to finish its startup cycle — you'll hear a small whirring sound as the print head moves to the home position. Once it stops moving, open the access door on the front or top of your printer, depending on your model. The door usually has a small latch or button you press to release it.

Inside, you'll see the print head carriage — the moving part that holds the cartridges. It should be positioned in the center of the printer. If it's not, close the door and turn the printer off and back on; it will return to the home position automatically. Do not try to move it by hand.

Key Takeaways

  • The print head carriage must be in the center position before you remove a cartridge, which happens automatically when you turn the printer on.
  • Push the cartridge straight down into its slot until you hear a click, then pull the protective tape off the nozzle before closing the door.
  • Different Pixma models use different cartridge types, so check your printer's model number on the back or bottom before buying replacements.
  • If the printer shows an error after you install a new cartridge, turn the printer off for 30 seconds, then back on to reset the ink level sensor.

Remove the empty cartridge

Look at the cartridge you need to replace. Each cartridge has a small tab or button on top. Press this tab downward — the cartridge will pop up slightly. Grip the cartridge by its sides (not the nozzle at the bottom) and pull it straight out toward you. Do not tilt it or twist it; straight out is the only direction that works.

Set the empty cartridge aside. Some people recycle them through Canon's cartridge recycling program or through office supply stores like Staples, which often take them for free.

Prepare the new cartridge

Remove the new cartridge from its box and look at the bottom. You'll see a small piece of yellow or orange protective tape covering the nozzle — the part with tiny holes that sprays ink. This tape must come off before the cartridge goes into the printer, or the ink won't spray properly and you'll damage the print head.

Peel this tape off completely and throw it away. Do not remove any other tape or seals on the cartridge. If there's a plastic clip holding the cartridge together, leave that in place until the cartridge is fully installed in the printer.

Insert the new cartridge into the slot

Hold the new cartridge by its sides and align it with the empty slot. The cartridge should slide in at a slight downward angle — it won't go in straight. Push it down and forward until you hear a distinct click. This click means the cartridge is locked into place and the electrical contacts have made connection.

If you don't hear a click, the cartridge is not fully seated. Pull it out and try again, making sure you're pushing it all the way in. A cartridge that isn't clicked in will cause ink errors or won't print at all.

Close the printer and run a test

Close the access door firmly until it latches. The printer may beep or display a message on its screen — this is normal. It's the printer recognizing that a new cartridge has been installed and reading the chip on the cartridge to check the ink level.

Print a test page to confirm the new cartridge is working. On most Pixma models, you can do this by holding down the Resume button (usually marked with a triangle or play symbol) for about three seconds. The printer will print a test page showing color bars and alignment patterns. If the page prints with no streaks or missing colors, the cartridge is installed correctly.

What to do if the printer shows an error

If the printer displays a cartridge error or won't recognize the new cartridge after installation, turn the printer completely off using the power button. Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. This resets the ink level sensor and often clears the error.

If the error persists, open the access door again and check that the cartridge clicked all the way in. Sometimes a cartridge that looks seated isn't fully locked. Pull it out slightly and push it in again until you hear the click. Close the door and try printing again.

Finding the right cartridge for your model

Canon makes different cartridge types for different Pixma models. The cartridge that works for a Pixma TS3520 won't work for a Pixma MG3620, even though both are Pixma printers. Before you buy a replacement, find your printer's exact model number — it's printed on the back or bottom of the printer, usually starting with "Pixma" followed by letters and numbers.

Search for that model number plus "ink cartridge" on Canon's website or on a retailer like Amazon or Best Buy. You can also look at the empty cartridge you just removed — the cartridge number is printed on the side. Buying the exact cartridge number ensures it will fit and work properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use third-party or refilled cartridges instead of Canon brand?

Yes, but Canon's warranty does not cover damage caused by non-Canon cartridges. Third-party cartridges are cheaper and work in most cases, but they sometimes leak or don't trigger the printer's low-ink warning correctly. If you use them, keep paper towels nearby when you change them and watch the first few pages for leaks.

What if I put the cartridge in the wrong slot?

The cartridge won't click into a slot it doesn't fit. Each slot is shaped for a specific color cartridge — black, cyan, magenta, and yellow each have different shapes. If you're trying to force a cartridge in and it won't click, you have the wrong slot. Pull it out and try the next slot.

How long does a cartridge usually last?

This varies widely depending on how much you print. A standard cartridge might last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. The printer will show a low-ink warning before the cartridge runs out, giving you time to order a replacement. You don't have to wait until it's completely empty to change it.

Do I need to clean the print head after changing a cartridge?

No, not usually. The printer cleans the print head automatically when you turn it on and install a new cartridge. If you notice streaks or missing colors after printing a test page, you can run a cleaning cycle through the printer's settings menu, but this is rarely necessary just from changing a cartridge.

What should I do with the old cartridge?

Canon offers a free cartridge recycling program through their website — you print a prepaid shipping label and mail the cartridge to them. Staples, Best Buy, and Office Depot also accept empty cartridges for free recycling. Do not throw cartridges in the trash; they contain plastic and metal that can be reused.