How to Refill Canon PGI-280 and CLI-281 Ink Cartridges: Disabling the Ink Monitor

Question:

Thank you for the instructions online on how to turn off the Canon Ink Monitor. I have a Canon printer with five ink tanks: 280PGBK, 281BK, 281Y, 281C, and 281M. For years, I’ve saved Canon ink tanks that were “almost” empty. I removed them upon receiving the warning but never pressed “OK.” The Canon Ink Monitor never stopped printing, so all tanks still have a small amount of ink.

To follow your instructions, I must first allow one tank to run out, receive both warnings, then turn off the Canon Ink Monitor and refill the tank with BCH ink. My questions are:

1. Do I need to do this five times, one for each color?
2. Do I need to refill only EMPTY tanks—tanks that the Canon Ink Monitor gave a second warning for and stopped printing?
3. Do I refill only regular tanks, or is it okay to refill XL and XXL tanks?

Answer:

Thank you for contacting us at BCH Technologies [bchtechnologies.com]. We appreciate your engagement and support, particularly with our YouTube channel [youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve our technical expertise.

Let's address your questions about managing and refilling your Canon ink cartridges:

1. Do I need to do this five times, one for each color?

   Yes, the Canon PGI-280 and CLI-281 cartridges feature a "gray chip" system. Once you acknowledge that a cartridge has run out and wish to continue printing, Canon will turn the ink monitor gray for that specific cartridge, disabling the ink level display. This process needs to be completed individually for each cartridge, meaning you will have to perform the steps five times—once for each color.

2. Do I need to refill only EMPTY tanks—tanks that the Canon Ink Monitor gave a second warning for and stopped printing?

   You should refill cartridges that the Canon Ink Monitor has flagged as empty and given a second warning for. These are the cartridges where the monitor has stopped tracking ink levels. Refilling them ensures the ink levels are adequate for continued printing. However, if you prefer, you can refill the other cartridges too, especially if you have ink and supplies on hand. This proactive approach can prevent future interruptions.

3. Do I refill only regular tanks, or is it okay to refill XL and XXL tanks?

   You can refill any cartridge size, whether regular, XL, or XXL. The process remains the same across different tank sizes. XL and XXL cartridges simply contain more ink, allowing for longer usage before needing a refill. When refilling, ensure you are using the appropriate type of ink for your cartridge size to maintain print quality and performance.

4. The above process is illustrated in this video: https://youtu.be/BnXjUVfSDms

Addressing printer issues can be complex due to the hands-on nature of these problems. Therefore, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility [bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Due to high demand, our services operate on a first-come, first-served basis, which might result in a wait of several weeks before you can drop off or mail in your printer. Our services can address either entire printers or specific parts, with detailed instructions on mail-in or local drop-off options. We recognize that our rates might not be the cheapest, so we encourage self-help through online research. Start by exploring YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage [youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Use the search icon next to "About" on the menu bar to find specific videos. While we receive numerous inquiries daily about specific topics, our extensive video library makes it challenging to recall each one. Utilizing YouTube's search feature is the most efficient approach, and YouTube may also suggest helpful videos from other channels.

Thank you again for reaching out to us. We hope this guide helps you manage your Canon printer effectively!