All recent Canon printers use ink level chips. There is a small IC chip fitted to each late model Canon ink tank that records it's ink level information (as well as other data) generated by the printer.
This is then displayed on-screen as the Canon ink monitor (ink gauge). When ink level in any black or colour tank gets low, Canon printers automatically stop printing and present "ink has run out" error (as below).
Ok, it's good to know how much ink you have left and nice of the printer to stop before it runs out. And if you are buying new Canon cartridges every time the ink runs out, the chips don't really affect you much at all. It's only when you want to refill the ink tanks, that the ink monitor/chips become a problem...
Note: It makes absolutely no difference, how much ink there is in the cartridge(s). If the ink chip says an ink tank is empty, you are not printing anything - until the offending "empty" cartridge is replaced. Even if a tank is topped up well before empty, it makes no difference to the ink monitor. The actual ink level is not relevant!
So...what can you do about Canon ink chips?
This can be a confusing subject due to the different options for different printers. If you have difficulty taking it all in, just email: sales@inkbank.com.au with your printer model and I'll work out the best solution for you. Or read on...
There is number of ways to deal with the ink monitor, depending on your printer model and what's available for it at present. If your printer is very new, some of the below options may not apply.
1 - Disable the ink monitor This is the easiest (and cheapest) option that works on most Canon (chipped) printers. If you have an unsupported model Canon, it might well be all you can do, until chip resetters become available. Click here to learn how to disable Canon ink monitor.
2 - Buy refillable ink tanks This option only applies to Canon printers using individual ink tanks - not cartridges (with built-in printhead). To cut long story short...refillable ink tanks are purpose built "easy to refill" versions of genuine Canon ink tanks. The reset technology is either built into each chip (auto-reset) or is reset using a chip resetter... Click here for more...
3 - Reset the ink tank chips It may sound quite technical and complicated, but resetting ink chips is really super easy. It involves buying a chip resetter for your model Canon and using it - every time you refill each ink tank. The printer reads reset ink tanks as full, new Canon ink tanks and the ink monitoring stays fully functional. Read on...for more chip resetter info...or to buy a Canon chip resetter.
How to reset a Canon chip..?
Place the ink tank in the resetter cradle and gently push it down for few seconds. When the tank LED lights up solid (in about 5 seconds), the reset is finished! The ink tank level is restored to full. All you have to do then, is - fill the tank with ink, fit it back in the printer - and resume your print job. That's it...told you it was easy.
Note: Some compatible Canon ink tanks don't have the chip LED at all, others do, but it may not light up in the resetter. This doesn't necessarily mean the chips can't be, or don't reset. Usually they reset ok, only without the LED confirmation. Other model cartridges/chips may only flash once or twice in some resetters. This generally resets the chips ok as well.
More chip resetter info...
Reset ink tanks (chips) perform exactly the same as new in all printers that use them incl: iP3300/3500/3600/4200/ 4300/4500/4600/4680/4700/4850/4950/5200/6600, iX4000/5000/6650, MP500/600/800/900, MX600/700/800 series, Pro9000, MG5150/5250/5350/6150/6250/8150/8250 etc.
Even printers/ink tanks with the ink monitoring already disabled, will display ink levels again and work just like new - after resetting. Note: Damaged ink chips that trigger "ink tank error" can not be reset.
The same chip resetter gets used for the bigger black ink tank as well as all the thinner tanks. There is a removable adapter included, which enables accurate positioning of the thinner ink tanks in the resetter cradle. See pic below...
Note: Canon printers use different ink tank chips in different parts of the world (in same model printers) - so you need a chip re-setter designed for your region. Please contact us to order - if your resetter model is not listed above.
There are no chip resetters available for: PGI-7 (MX7600), PGI-9 (Pro9500) ink tanks/chips at present
There are no chip resetters forany Canon ink cartridge (with printhead) eg. PG-37, PG-40, PG-50, PG-510, PG-512, PG-640, CL-41, CL-51, CL-511, CL-513, CL-641...). These cartridges also store ink level information, but the chip is incorporated into the print-head circuit. Since there is no way to reset the ink chips, the ink monitoring has to be disabled, if using refilled ink cartridges. The printer should then accept the refilled cartridge ok, but it will not display the ink levels any more.
And some more info...
The chip resetters at InkBank are well designed and made (in China). They work well, are reliable and covered by 12 months replacement warranty as well as 100% satisfaction guarantee.
There are 3 batteries (replacable) inside, but the original cells should last for hundreds of chip resets.
Note: USB resetter version doesn't use batteries. USB cable required - not supplied.
Take care not to get any ink on the resetter contacts as this can damage the unit.
