How to Check Ink Levels on Your Canon Printer

Keeping track of your Canon printer’s ink levels is essential for avoiding unexpected print failures, streaky prints, faded colors, or incomplete documents. Whether you use your printer for home, office, or business tasks, monitoring ink levels helps ensure smooth printing without interruptions.

Many users experience issues like the Canon ink level not showing, inaccurate ink indicators, or stalled print jobs caused by communication problems. In some cases, this happens along with the canon printer driver unavailable error, which prevents the computer from reading accurate printer status.

The good news? Checking ink levels on a Canon printer—no matter which model you use—is simple and can be done using your printer panel, computer, or Canon’s mobile app. This guide will show you every method to view Canon printer ink status, explain what to do if the ink monitor is not showing properly, and help you avoid printing problems in the future.

Why Checking Ink Levels on a Canon Printer Matters

Your Canon printer depends on accurate ink monitoring to:

• Maintain clear and high-quality prints
• Prevent damage to the printhead
• Inform you before ink runs out completely
• Avoid unexpected printing interruptions
• Help you plan ink cartridge replacements

If your Canon printer ink monitor is not functioning correctly, your printer may stop printing or show unusual Canon printer errors. Monitoring the ink helps avoid all these issues.

How to Check Ink Levels on Your Canon Printer (All Methods)

Below are the easiest and most accurate ways to check ink levels on any Canon Inkjet, PIXMA, Maxify, or Office printer.

Method 1: Check Ink Levels Using the Canon Printer’s Control Panel

Most modern Canon printers come with a built-in display screen that shows real-time ink status.

Steps:

1. Turn ON your Canon printer
2. Press the HOME or MENU button
3. Navigate to Ink Levels, Ink Details, or Maintenance
4. Select Ink Status

You will see a graphical representation of ink levels for:

• Black (BK)
• Cyan (C)
• Magenta (M)
• Yellow (Y)

If one of the ink bars is flashing or low, it's time to replace that cartridge.

Method 2: Check Canon Ink Levels on Windows (PC)

Canon printers allow users to monitor ink via the printer software installed on Windows.

Steps for Windows 10/11:

1. Open Control Panel
2. Click Devices and Printers
3. Right-click your Canon printer → Printing Preferences
4. Go to the Maintenance tab
5. Select View Printer Status or Ink Details

This displays the Canon printer ink status and gives warnings for low or empty cartridges.

Method 3: Check Ink Levels on macOS (MacBook / iMac)

Mac users can also access the Canon ink monitor through system settings.

Steps:

1. Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners
2. Select your Canon printer
3. Click Options & Supplies
4. Go to Supply Levels

Here, you will see the ink levels displayed for each cartridge.

Method 4: Use Canon PRINT App (For iPhone / Android)

Canon’s mobile app provides one of the most convenient ways to track ink levels.

Steps:

1. Download Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY
2. Connect your printer to Wi-Fi
3. Open the app and select your printer
4. Tap Printer Information
5. View the ink levels

This method works great if your ink level display on printer or computer is not updating.

Method 5: Use Canon Ink Monitor Software

Canon often installs an "Ink Monitor Utility" alongside printer drivers.

To access it:

• On Windows: Search Canon Ink Status Monitor
• On Mac: Open Canon IJ Utility

The utility provides:

• Real-time ink levels
• Alerts for low ink
• Maintenance tools
• Printhead cleaning options

If the monitor fails to display ink levels, you may be facing a driver or software conflict.

What If Canon Ink Levels Are Not Showing? (Common Fixes)

A common issue users face is “Canon ink level not showing” even when cartridges are full. Here’s why it happens and how to fix it:

1. Faulty or Empty Cartridges

Canon printers may not detect:

• Off-brand cartridges
• Damaged cartridges
• Nearly empty cartridges

Always ensure the cartridges are:

• Genuine
• Properly seated
• Free from dust or ink smudges on contacts
  
   

2. Driver Issues or Installation Errors

If the driver is outdated or corrupted, ink status may disappear.
This is especially common if you also get driver-related alerts.

3. Printer Not Recognizing the Cartridge

This may lead to:

• Ink level not showing
• Cartridge recognition errors

• Unexpected Canon printer error code E1 or other messages

   

4. Printer Software Not Updated

Install the latest Canon IJ Utility or Canon driver package to refresh ink monitoring.

5. Firmware Issue

Outdated firmware can stop the ink monitor from communicating properly. Updating firmware often fixes it.

6. Protective Tape Left on Cartridge

If the yellow tape is not removed from new ink cartridges:

• Printer won’t detect ink
• Ink monitor won’t update
• Print quality will fail

Remove tape, reinstall, and restart your printer.

Troubleshooting When Ink Levels Seem Incorrect

Even when ink shows as “low,” there are scenarios where ink isn’t the issue.

1. Printer Prints Blank or Faded Pages

You may have:

• A clogged printhead
• Dried ink
• Blocked nozzles

Run a printhead cleaning cycle via:

• Printer menu
• Canon IJ Utility

• Canon PRINT app

   

2. Printer Not Printing Even When Ink Shows Full

This indicates a mechanical or driver issue, not an ink shortage. Check this guide:  HP printer not printing (applies similarly to Canon

3. Ink Levels Drop Unusually Fast

Possible causes:

• High-resolution photo printing
• Heavy color usage
• Software misreporting

• Auto-cleaning cycles

   

4. Canon Printer Shows Low Ink but Still Prints Normally

This is common with:

• Refilled cartridges
• Third-party cartridges

Canon printers cannot always read the ink level on non-OEM cartridges.

Important Tips to Maintain Accurate Ink Level Monitoring

• Always use genuine Canon cartridges
• Replace ink before it fully empties
• Print regularly to prevent nozzle drying
• Keep firmware + drivers updated
• Never leave the printer unused for months
• Store cartridges in a cool, dry place

These habits help maintain smooth ink flow and accurate ink reporting.

Final Thoughts

Checking ink levels on your Canon printer is simple once you know where to look—whether it’s on the printer panel, through Windows or macOS settings, or using Canon’s mobile app. If your Canon printer ink monitor isn’t showing levels correctly, the issue is likely related to cartridges, drivers, or software communication.

With the troubleshooting steps above, you can restore accurate Canon printer ink status, avoid printing problems, and keep your Canon device running smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I check ink levels on a Canon printer without a display?

Use Canon IJ Utility (PC/Mac) or the Canon PRINT mobile app to monitor ink levels.
 

2. Why is my Canon printer not showing ink levels?

Driver issues, third-party cartridges, outdated firmware, or poor cartridge installation can hide ink levels.
 

3. Can I print if ink levels aren’t showing correctly?

Yes, as long as ink is present. But printing with unknown levels may damage the printhead if ink fully runs out.
 

4. Why does my Canon printer show low ink even after replacing cartridges?

Try reseating the cartridge, cleaning contacts, and updating drivers. Some third-party cartridges don’t report ink levels accurately.
 

5. Does Canon printer ink monitoring work with refilled cartridges?

Not always. Refilled or non-OEM cartridges may display incorrect ink levels or none at all.