How to Fix Low Ink Warning on Refilled Canon Cartridges

Q: How can I resolve a low ink warning on my Canon printer even after refilling cartridges 275, preventing me from printing?

A: Thank you for reaching out with your question. We at BCH Technologies greatly appreciate your support, especially for our YouTube channel. Your engagement is invaluable to us as it helps refine our technical acumen.

In response to your query about the persistent low ink warning on your Canon printer after refilling the cartridges, the issue typically revolves around the printer's ink monitor system. This system is designed to track the number of pages printed and, by extension, estimate ink levels. Once the estimated ink level reaches a certain threshold, it triggers a low ink warning, and upon maxing out, it will prevent further printing until the cartridge is replaced or the counter is reset.

Here's a more detailed explanation and potential solutions for your problem:

1. Low Ink Warning & Yellow Light Indicator: If your printer is operational but signals a low ink status or shows a yellow light next to the ink cartridge (steady or blinking), this is due to the ink monitor's one-way counter reaching its maximum. At this point, an error message may pop up stating, “The following cartridge has run out.” It's crucial not to close this error message on your computer.
2. Resetting the Ink Monitor: With the error message open, approach your printer and press and hold the STOP (triangle) button for 5 seconds. This action should make the error message vanish and effectively disable the ink monitor, allowing unlimited printing with the current cartridge. Unsure of how to proceed? Watch this helpful segment starting at the 3:15 mark on our YouTube tutorial.
3. Interpreting LED Lights: Post-reset, the cartridge lights may blink yellow, which is normal. Prior to this, if you're facing a steady yellow light or receiving low ink notifications, continue printing until the designated error message appears. This sequence is designed to ensure the ink monitor is only turned off after reaching its programmed limit.
4. Error Codes 1686/1688: When encountering these specific errors, accompanied by blinking lights and the respective error message, follow the reset procedure outlined above. After deactivation of the ink monitor, a blinking yellow LED is expected and considered normal. If the blinking light is distracting, covering it with duct tape is a simple workaround.

Addressing printer issues can be inherently challenging due to their practical and often complex nature. For example, addressing a seemingly straightforward clog might lead to diverse unclogging techniques. Conversely, a printer left unused for a period might necessitate a thorough service of its ink system. The ubiquitous "paper jam" error can stem from a myriad of causes, often becoming the subject of workplace humor due to its unpredictability. Consequently, we're unable to offer remote troubleshooting, advice, or support for printer repairs directly. We do, however, provide an in-person evaluation and repair service at our local diagnostic facility BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service. Due to high demand, our services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, potentially leading to a few weeks' wait before your printer can be assessed in-person or via mail. While we pride ourselves on comprehensive repair services, we recognize our rates may not be the most economical. As such, we encourage self-guided troubleshooting through online resources or our YouTube channel, where a vast library of instructional videos awaits. Utilizing YouTube's search feature could also direct you to relevant content from other creators that might address your issue.

Thank you once again for your question and support. Your proactive approach to seeking solutions underscores the value of our community's collective knowledge and resourcefulness.