Make sure you purchase the right ink cartridges for your specific printer and printer region or have your old ones refilled. Cartridges are not compatible between different brands, and often not within the same brand. Canon recommends that you use original Canon ink cartridges. If the cartridges are labeled as Canon FINE Cartridges, the cartridges have a mechanical printhead built into the cartridge, instead of being installed into the printer.
Check the estimated ink levels
You can check the estimated ink levels from the display on the printer operation panel and from the Canon printer software. The ink level detector is mounted on the printer to detect the remaining ink level. The printer considers as ink is full when a new cartridge is installed, and then starts to detect a remaining ink level. If you install a used cartridge, the indicated ink level of it may not be correct. In such case, refer to the ink level information only as a guide.
To check the estimated ink levels from the printer LCD display:
– Check that printer is turned on.
– Press the OK button. A symbol appears in the upper right corner (A), if there is any information about the remaining ink level.
– Select Estimated ink levels. A symbol is displayed on top of the cartridge (B) where there is a notification. The ink is running low. Prepare a new ink cartridge. The resulting print quality may not be satisfactory, if printing is continued under this condition. The image below shows estimated ink levels. Select Order ink now and press the QR button to display the QR code and access the ink purchasing site. You can check the model number of the cartridge by selecting Ink model number.
To check the ink levels from the printer software (Windows):
Open the printer driver setup window:
– Select the print command or printer icon from your application software. The Print command can generally be found in the File menu.
– Select your printer model, and click Preferences or Properties. The printer driver’s setup screen appears.
You can also display the printer driver’s setup screen by clicking the printer icon:
– Select Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Devices and Printers.
– Right-click the icon of your model. When the menu appears, select Printing preferences.
Canon IJ Status Monitor
The Canon IJ Status Monitor displays the printer status and the printing progress. You can also use it to check the remaining ink level and the cartridge types for your model. The information displayed on the Canon IJ Status Monitor may differ depending on the country or region where you are using your printer. The Canon IJ Status Monitor launches automatically when print data is sent to the printer. When launched, the Canon IJ Status Monitor appears as a button on the task bar. Click the button of the status monitor displayed on the task bar. The Canon IJ Status Monitor appears. To open the Canon IJ Status Monitor when the printer is not printing, open the printer driver setup window and click View Printer Status on the Maintenance tab.
Canon sells most of their cartridges in a standard yield size and a high yield or XL. For some printer models, extra-high yield, or XXL cartridges are available. All cartridge sizes are the exact same size and install in your printer the same way, the only difference is the amount of ink that is inside the cartridge. XL (Extra Large) cartridges cost more but do provide better value in the long run. They will be able to print at least 2 times as many pages as a regular cartridge. Our advice is that if you print often, go with XL. However, ink can dry up. So if you are not a frequent printer, go with the regular cartridges. A new Canon printer includes a complete set of starter ink cartridges. Starter cartridges are filled with less ink than a standard yield cartridge so you shouldn’t expect to get very many prints out of them before they need to be replaced.
Ink level warnings and indicators provide estimates for planning purposes only. When you receive a low-ink warning message, consider having a replacement cartridge available to avoid possible printing delays. You do not have to replace the cartridges until the print quality is unacceptable.
Single cartridge
If an ink cartridge runs out of ink, you can print with either the color or black ink cartridge. However the print quality may be reduced compared to when printing with both cartridges. We recommend to use a new ink cartridge in order to obtain optimum qualities. Even when printing with one cartridge only, print with leaving the empty ink cartridge installed. If either the color ink cartridge or black ink cartridge isn’t installed, an error occurs and the printer can’t print.
Which ink cartridges do I need for my Canon PIXMA TS6420a Wireless All-in-One Printer?
For your US Canon PIXMA TS6420a Wireless All-in-One Printer you need a Canon PG-260 black cartridge AND a Canon CL-261 color cartridge OR the XL versions: Canon PG-260 XL black cartridge AND a Canon CL-261 XL color cartridge. There are also two-in-one valuepacks available like the PG-260/PG-261 Value Pack (also available in XL).
Try Amazon's ink selector tool to find compatible ink cartridges for your printer.
Replace the ink cartridges
1. Press the ON button to turn on the printer, if it is not already turned on.
2. Load paper
Open the rear tray cover (A) gently. Pull straight up and fold back paper support (B).
3.
– Open the feed slot cover (C) and slide the right paper guide (D) to open both paper guides.
– Load paper stack in portrait orientation with print side facing up.
– Slide the right paper guide (D) to align with both sides of paper stack. Do not slide the paper guides too hard against the paper. The paper may not be fed properly.
– Close the feed slot cover (C) gently.
– After closing the feed slot cover, the paper setting confirmation screen for the rear tray appears on the LCD. If page size and media type on LCD match size and type of paper loaded in rear tray, select OK. If not, select Change to change the settings in accordance with the size and type of the loaded paper.
4. Pull out the paper output tray (H) and open the paper output support (I).
5. Replace the cartridges.
Open the scanning unit / cover, using one or both of the tabs at sides of the cover. The cartridge holder moves to the replacement position. Wait until the printer is idle and silent before continuing.
6. Remove the empty cartridge.
– Open the ink cartridge locking cover by pushing the front tab in, while lifting the cover up.
– Lift out the empty cartridge.
7. Prepare a new cartridge.
– Remove the new cartridge from its packaging. Be careful to only touch the black plastic on the ink cartridge by holding the ink cartridge by its sides.
– Remove the protective tape (G) gently.
Do NOT:
– Remove the copper electrical strip
– Touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles.
– Replace the protective tape on the contacts.
8. Install the new cartridge.
– Insert the new cartridge into the cartridge holder.
The tri-color cartridge goes in the slot on the left.
The black cartridge goes in the slot on the right.
– Close the ink cartridge locking cover to secure the ink cartridge. Push the ink cartridge locking cover fully until it clicks. The cartridge will be locked.
9. Repeat step 5 through 8 to replace the other cartridge, if necessary.
The tri-color cartridge goes in the slot on the left.
The black cartridge goes in the slot on the right.
10. Close the scanning unit / cover. Be sure to lift the cover first a little to unlock the hinge, then take it down gently.
Align the cartridges if necessary.
If printed ruled lines are misaligned or print results are otherwise unsatisfactory, align the print head.
11.
– Press the Maintenance on the LCD.
– Select Print Head Alignment – Auto. The confirmation screen will appear. Then, select Yes and Press the OK button. The print head alignment sheet is printed, and the print head is aligned automatically. This may take a few minutes. When the completion message appears, select OK.
– Discard or recycle the alignment page.
