Canon MG2522 Error 10 Blinks After Refilling PG-243/CL-244 No-Sponge Cartridges: Why It Happens and What to Do Next

Question

I purchased a no-sponge refill kit and used it on previously working cartridges for a Canon MG-2522 using a CL-243 color cartridge. While prepping them for gluing the tops on, I soaked the cartridges in your cleaning solution for about five hours, then thoroughly cleaned and dried them for a full day. After gluing the tops on, there were no leaks. When I lightly blotted the cartridge on a paper towel, it looked like all colors were coming through.

When I first installed the cartridges, everything printed except red-it looked like red ink wasn't making it through the color cartridge. I removed the color cartridge, cleaned both the ink outlet side and the front "dot connections" (contact side) again with cleaner on soft tissue, and once again it looked like all colors were coming through on a paper towel.

But after reinstalling the cartridge, the printer started showing an error: the orange alarm light alternates flashing with the power light 10 times. I tried a reset, but it didn't help. If I install brand-new cartridges, the printer works. What can I do?

Answer

Now let's unpack what's going on-because you actually described two separate issues that likely happened back-to-back:

1. Red not printing initially (a flow/nozzle pathway problem), and then

2. Canon MG2522 error code: 10 alternating flashes (a cartridge electrical/nozzle-health detection problem).

What the Canon MG2522 "10 Alternating Flashes" Usually Means

On the Canon MG2522 series, 10 alternating flashes (power + alarm) is commonly associated with a cartridge recognition / cartridge condition error-often involving one of the following:

• The printer detects a problem in the cartridge's printhead/nozzle circuits (overheated, open circuit, short, or too many failed nozzles).

• The printer cannot correctly read the cartridge's electronics/contact pads.

• The cartridge's internal electrical characteristics are now outside the acceptable range, so the printer flags it as failed/unusable.

The key clue you gave is this: brand-new cartridges work, but the refilled one triggers the 10-flash fault. That strongly points to the cartridge itself, not the printer.

Step 1: Rule Out Simple Contact Problems (Worth Doing First)

Even though this often ends up being a cartridge failure, it's still smart to eliminate connection issues-especially since you used cleaner, soaked the cartridge, and handled glue (all of which can contaminate contacts).

What to do

1. Remove the color cartridge (CL-243).

2. Inspect the electronic contact strip/pads on the cartridge (the copper/gold contacts).

3. Look for:

   • Ink residue

   • Cleaning fluid residue

   • Glue haze or fingerprint oils

   • Any "film" that could insulate the contact pads

Cleaning method (important)

• Use a dry paper towel first.

• If needed, use a slightly damp lint-free wipe (water or isopropyl alcohol if you have it), then dry completely.

• Do not reinstall while damp. Even tiny moisture can create temporary shorts or false readings.

Also inspect the printer's side:

• Check the printer's spring-loaded brass pins (inside the carriage) for ink or moisture.

• Make sure they are clean, dry, and not stuck down.

Finally:

• Re-seat the cartridge several times and power-cycle the printer.

If the 10-flash error persists after everything is clean and bone-dry, then we move to the more common cause:

Step 2: Why a Previously Working Cartridge Can Suddenly "Go Bad" After Refilling

These Canon cartridges are often more fragile than people realize. They are technically refillable, but they aren't designed by Canon for repeated rebuilds, soaking, or long exposure to liquid.

Here's what can happen internally:

A) The cartridge's nozzle heater circuits can fail

Canon cartridges fire ink using microscopic heater resistors. The printer evaluates nozzle health electrically. If too many nozzles measure "wrong" compared to the reference, the printer decides the printhead portion of the cartridge is failing.

A simplified version of what's happening (and this matches your proposed answer closely):

• The printer uses an internal reference resistor on the cartridge.

• It compares the expected resistance range to the resistance behavior of the nozzle circuits.

• If the difference becomes too large (often due to damage, corrosion, or overheated nozzles), the printer flags nozzles as failed.

• If failures exceed a threshold, the printer can mark the cartridge as unusable, which can trigger faults like the 10 alternating flashes.

B) Soaking can create contact-side issues even after "drying"

A 5-hour soak plus cleaner exposure can sometimes wick fluid into places you can't see, including:

• between layers of the contact pad assembly,

• into micro-gaps near the nozzle plate,

• or into the printhead portion where corrosion can begin.

Even after a day of drying, a tiny amount of residue can remain and cause the printer to detect abnormal electrical readings.

C) The "red not printing" may have been the first warning sign

Your first symptom-everything printed except red-often happens when:

• one channel's nozzles are clogged,

• one color path has air trapped,

• or that color's nozzle section is partially damaged.

If the cartridge then went through repeated reinstall cycles, cleaning, and firing attempts, the nozzle heaters can overheat if ink isn't flowing correctly (ink also helps cool the nozzles). That can accelerate failure and lead to an electronic fault like the 10-flash error.

Step 3: What You Can Try If You Want One Last Attempt

If you want to attempt one more recovery (no guarantees), here are the only steps that sometimes help before you discard it:

1. Leave the cartridge out and let it air dry 24-48 more hours in a warm, dry place (not hot, not in direct sunlight).

2. Clean contacts again, dry completely.

3. Reinstall and run a single nozzle check.

If it immediately returns 10 alternating flashes, that usually means the cartridge has been permanently rejected.

At that point, it's not a "reset" issue-Canon is not just complaining about ink level; it is typically flagging the cartridge's printhead condition or electrical characteristics.

Step 4: If You Need More Cartridges, What to Buy (So Refills Work Better)

If the cartridge is rejected, replacement is usually the realistic answer.

When shopping for refill-friendly cartridges, your approach matters a lot:

• Search your cartridge model on eBay and add the keyword "empty virgin."

• "Virgin" usually means it has never been refilled and has the best chance of stable electronics/nozzles for refilling.

Avoid:

• Remanufactured cartridges (they often contain extra circuitry that can be unreliable when exposed to moisture/cleaner).

• "Recycled OEM" sold as remanufactured (they may have worn or partially failing nozzles already).

This is especially important with CL-243 color cartridges because they are more prone to nozzle degradation over time.

About the Review Link You Mentioned

If you'd like to include your review request, here it is formatted the way you asked (linked words + raw URL in brackets):

You can leave a review at BCH Technologies Review Page (https://g.page/r/CfL7k6nYvPQ9EAg/review).

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because the problems are hands-on and mechanical by nature. Because of that, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, repair suggestions, or direct support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person diagnostic and repair service through our local facility at BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, we handle repairs on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before we can schedule a time for you to drop the printer off. Our services are set up to repair either an entire printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. That said, we understand our rates are not the most economical option, so we strongly recommend self-help through online research first. You can start on YouTube or visit our BCH Technologies YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). To find the most relevant videos quickly, use the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive many questions every day asking whether we have a video for a specific issue, and after making videos for over nine years, it's tough to remember every single one-so YouTube search is by far the most efficient. YouTube may also suggest helpful videos from other channels that apply to your situation.

Thank you again for reaching out and for supporting BCH Technologies. I truly appreciate it, and I hope this gives you a clear path forward with the CL-243 cartridge and the Canon MG2522 10-flash error.