Troubleshooting Canon PG-275 and CL-276 Cartridges That Print Light or Clogged

Question:

I followed your detailed guide to refill Canon PG-275 / CL-276 (including XL versions) and it worked twice. On my third refill, I think some debris got inside the yellow tank. The only way I could get yellow ink to flow was by turning the cartridge upside down and lightly shaking it over a napkin-eventually, I only saw a few streaks. Blue and red flowed out but printed very lightly. What could have caused this issue? I also bought a brand-new cartridge and drilled holes to check if the pads are just inked without extra ink above them. Can you explain what's happening?

Answer:

1. Debris or Air Blockage in the Sponge

From your description, the yellow ink flow stopped unless you shook the cartridge upside down. That suggests either:

• Debris contamination: Small particles may have entered during refilling, clogging the sponge pores.

• Air lock: If air entered instead of ink during the refill, the sponge can't transfer ink to the printhead properly.

Canon cartridges use a sponge-based ink reservoir. When the sponge becomes blocked or compacted, it doesn't release ink evenly.

2. Why Blue and Red Printed Lightly

Even though blue and red "flowed out," the fact that they printed faintly means:

• The sponge wasn't fully saturated. It might look filled, but air pockets inside can prevent ink from wicking down.

• The printhead nozzles may be drying out or partially clogged. Running a cleaning cycle sometimes helps, but too many cycles can also waste ink and worsen foaming.

3. Brand-New Cartridges vs. Refilled Ones

When you buy a new Canon cartridge, the sponge is factory-primed with ink. There is no large pool of liquid above the sponge; instead, the sponge itself is fully saturated with ink. This design prevents ink from sloshing around and leaking.

When we refill them, we try to mimic that saturation, but if ink doesn't penetrate evenly or if it puddles on top, it may not distribute properly through the sponge. That's why shaking or tapping sometimes forces temporary flow but doesn't fix the underlying issue.

4. How to Fix and Prevent This Issue

• Flush the Cartridge: If you suspect debris, gently flush the sponge with distilled water or a cleaning solution. Let it dry completely, then try refilling again.

• Refill Slowly: Inject ink gradually, allowing the sponge to absorb it instead of pooling on top.

• Prime the Printhead: After refilling, place the cartridge nozzle on a damp paper towel to encourage ink flow. You should see solid yellow, cyan, and magenta streaks before reinstalling.

• Avoid Overfilling: Too much ink can cause air bubbles to trap inside the sponge, leading to weak or inconsistent prints.

• Cleaning Cycles: Run one or two cleaning cycles from your printer menu. If colors are still light, try manual priming again before repeating cleaning cycles.

You can see an example of this process in our video tutorial here: Canon Cartridge Refill Guide (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlgYNcv0O2I&lc=UgzY0Q0TdX6WxG7zoA54AaABAg).

Addressing printer issues can be complicated because they often require hands-on work and trial-and-error. That's why we aren't able to provide remote troubleshooting or cartridge repairs. However, we do offer in-person evaluation and repair services at our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Service is first-come, first-served, and depending on demand, it may take a few weeks before your printer or cartridges can be checked. While our repair costs may not always be the lowest, we encourage self-help and recommend searching our BCH Technologies YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) for more detailed guides. The search icon on the channel can help you quickly find videos for your exact model or issue.

Thank you again for your question and for continuing to explore DIY refilling. Your engagement helps us build better resources for everyone dealing with Canon cartridge challenges.