How to Fix a Faded Sponge in a Canon Pixma Cartridge Without Replacing the Entire Cartridge

Question:

I use a Canon Pixma MG3070s, and my cartridge is showing "NA" or not being recognized. I've read that if the sponge inside the cartridge fades or wears out, the cartridge needs to be replaced. But Canon cartridges are quite expensive. Is there a way to just replace or fix the sponge without buying a brand-new cartridge? I found this modification kit on BCH's store — can it help?

Answer:

Yes, you're absolutely right—Canon cartridges can be costly, and it's frustrating to consider replacing a whole cartridge just because the internal sponge has worn out or become ineffective. When the sponge inside a Canon ink cartridge fades, shrinks, or hardens due to repeated use or improper refilling, it loses its ability to hold and transfer ink effectively. This often causes the printer to display errors or fail to recognize the cartridge.

This is precisely what our Sponge Refill Modification Kit [https://bch-youtube-fan-store.myshopify.com/products/modification-kit-for-making-sponge-refillable-cartridge-with-canon-pg-210-cl-211-pg-240-pg-243-pg-245-pg-545-cl-241-cl-244-cl-246-cl-546-as-spg-cbc] is designed for. Instead of replacing the entire cartridge, this kit allows you to rejuvenate it by replacing or supplementing the sponge material inside. It works with several Canon cartridge models, including PG-245 and CL-246, which are commonly used in Canon Pixma printers like the MG3070s.

The included sponges are specially formulated for ink absorption and delivery, similar to the ones used in OEM cartridges. Along with the sponges, the kit provides tools and instructions to help you make your cartridge refillable and reusable. If you review the product description and especially watch the installation video provided on the product page, you'll get a detailed step-by-step guide on how to make the modification.

This solution helps reduce waste and saves money—especially for users who do a lot of printing or prefer a DIY approach.

Do note, however, that even with a sponge replacement, the cartridge’s internal chip may still track ink usage and signal “low ink” or “not recognized” errors. This is a separate issue from the sponge itself and may require further resets or chip replacements, which we sometimes cover in other guides or videos on our channel.


Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service] via our local diagnostic facility. Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks before we can schedule your printer drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. That said, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. So, we highly recommend that you explore self-help options online. A great starting point would be our YouTube channel homepage [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Use the search icon next to the "About" tab in the menu to locate videos by keyword. With hundreds of tutorials published over the past nine years, the search feature is the quickest way to find help—both from us and other helpful creators.

Thanks again for contacting us and for your support. We hope this answer gives you a practical and cost-effective solution to extend the life of your Canon cartridges!