How to Fix Cloughing Issues with Magenta Ink in Refillable Canon PG-245/CL-246 Cartridges

Question:

Why is the magenta ink "cloughing" after I refilled my Canon PG-245/CL-246 sponge cartridge? I’ve tried cleaning, but it’s still not printing correctly. What could be causing this, and how do I fix it?

Answer:
Understanding “Cloughing” in Magenta Ink After Refilling

From your description, the issue you're experiencing—“cloughing”—typically refers to inconsistent or sputtered ink flow from the cartridge. This often manifests as broken magenta lines or faded patches in printouts. Here are the most common causes and how to resolve them:

1. Trapped Air in the Sponge

When refilling PG-245 or CL-246 cartridges, air pockets can get trapped inside the sponge. These air bubbles can interrupt the smooth ink flow, especially with dye-based magenta inks, which are thinner and more sensitive to pressure changes.

Fix:
Run a gentle cleaning cycle from your printer’s maintenance settings. If that doesn’t help, try a manual priming by drawing ink through the nozzle using a priming clip or syringe until ink flows smoothly and steadily. This helps purge any trapped air.

2. Sponge Oversaturation

If too much ink is injected too quickly, the sponge can become oversaturated. This leads to uneven ink pressure and flow, often causing blotchy or streaked prints in one color—commonly magenta due to its viscosity.

Fix:
Remove the cartridge and gently dab the printhead on a paper towel. If ink gushes out or the towel is soaking too much, let the cartridge rest upright (with the printhead down) for a few hours to rebalance the sponge. You might also blot it lightly to absorb excess ink.

3. Blocked or Semi-Blocked Nozzles

Even after a refill, dried ink or debris might be partially clogging the magenta nozzles.

Fix:
Use a printhead cleaning solution or hot distilled water on a paper towel under the printhead. Allow it to soak for a few minutes, and then reinsert the cartridge. Follow up with a cleaning cycle.

4. Vent Hole Issues

Canon sponge cartridges need proper air exchange. If the vent hole on top of the cartridge is sealed or partially clogged, it creates a vacuum, preventing ink from flowing correctly.

Fix:
Make sure the vent hole is open. If you’ve applied any tape during refilling, ensure it’s completely removed or punctured. Some users drill a small secondary vent for better airflow, but do this cautiously to avoid pressure imbalances.

5. Ink Quality or Ink Type Mismatch

If the ink used is too thick or incompatible with Canon’s specifications, magenta may behave differently than cyan or yellow.

Fix:
Only use high-quality, printer-compatible dye inks explicitly designed for Canon cartridges. BCH Technologies sells tested refill inks that balance flow and color density.

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 via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it might take a few weeks before we can arrange for your printer to be dropped off. Our services are structured to repair either the whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

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