How do I Install my Non-Original Printer Ink Cartridges?

When the time comes to remove an empty ink cartridge from your printer it is advisable to replace it with a new cartridge as soon as possible.

Never leave your printer without an ink cartridge even if the cartridge is empty. Remove the empty and always dispose of the cartridge safely (most council amenity sites have recycling facilities available). Unpack the new cartridge but be especially careful not to touch the copper ‘chip’ area as contaminating this area may cause the ink cartridge to become defective. Remove any seals or labels as prompted in the instructions and click the cartridge firmly in place. When an ink cartridge has been successfully installed do not remove it as exposure to the elements may cause the cartridge to dry out.

Most printers will allow you to replace the cartridge individually as each colour runs out. The warning indicator should show on screen or on the printer (depending on the printer model), the first indication may be that the ink is low giving your plenty of time to organise replacement inks.

In some printers when the cartridge is out of ink it may still be possible to use the remaining colour for a short period of time, but it’s likely that the print quality will deteriorate, as very often the printer will take a pinch of colour from each ink cartridge to produce a print. If you need to carry out a head cleaning procedure you will require plenty of ink in all your cartridges.

In the first instance, with the power to the printer switched on, raise the scanning lid or upper section of the printer to access the ink cartridges. The ink cartridges should move to a position where you are able to access them. Remove the empty ink cartridge and unpack the new cartridge removing any seals as previously discussed. The ink cartridge should be firmly clicked into place and the printer lid closed again. The printer will then spend a little time ‘charging’ the cartridge and will make several noises and movement until it finally settles down and is ready to print.

If you happen to have some documents in the queue that didn’t print previously because it ran out of ink then it will automatically print them for you. If an error message appears, for example, ‘cartridge not recognised’, remove the ink cartridge check any seal has been removed and re-install, gently wiping the copper ‘chip’ with a soft dry cloth to remove any static build up that may be causing the printer to have a problem reading the information on the ‘chip’. Try this several times, if there is still no success, then it’s possible the ‘chip’ is faulty so try another cartridge if you have one. It’s also worth mentioning that you should check that you have the correct cartridge for your printer. In the case of the installation of a non-original Canon ink cartridge, if the ‘cartridge not recognised’ appears, simply press the stop button for 5 seconds (marked with a red triangle) and proceed with your printing.