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Pixma iP4500 Support
FAQs & troubleshooting

Replacing Ink Tanks

Content Id: 8200114600


Replacing Ink Tanks

When ink tanks run out of ink, replace them using the following steps.

Caution

Handling Ink

To maintain optimal printing quality, we recommend the use of specified Canon brand ink tanks. Refilling ink is not recommended.
Once you remove an ink tank, replace it immediately. Do not leave the printer with ink tanks removed.
Replace empty tanks with new ones. Inserting partially used ink tanks may cause the nozzles to clog. Furthermore, with such tanks, the printer will not be able to inform you when to replace the tanks properly.
Once an ink tank has been installed, do not remove it from the printer and leave it out in the open. This will cause the ink tank to dry out, and the printer may not operate properly when it is reinstalled. To maintain optimal printing quality, use an ink tank within six months of first use.
Color ink may be consumed even when printing a black-and-white document or when black-and-white printing is specified. Color ink is also consumed in Print Head Cleaning and Print Head Deep Cleaning, which may be necessary to maintain the printer's performance. When an ink tank is out of ink, replace it immediately with a new one.

1. Open the Paper Output Tray and the Inner Cover forward to open it.

2. Make sure that the printer is on, and then open the Top Cover.

The Print Head Holder moves to the center.

Caution

Do not hold the Print Head Holder to stop or move it.
Do not touch the metallic parts inside the printer.

Caution

If the Top Cover is left open for more than 10 minutes, the Print Head Holder moves to the right. Close and reopen the Top Cover to return the holder to the center.

3. Remove the ink tank whose lamp is flashing fast.

(1) Push the tab and remove the ink tank.

(A) Do NOT touch the Print Head Lock Lever; remove only the ink tank.

Caution

Handle ink tanks carefully to avoid staining clothing or the surrounding area.
Discard empty ink tanks according to the local laws and regulations regarding disposal of consumables.

Caution

Do not remove more than one ink tank at a time. Be sure to replace ink tanks one by one when replacing more than one ink tank.
For details on ink tank flashing speed, see [Getting the Ink Status Information].

4. Prepare the replacement tank.

(1) Remove the new ink tank from its packaging, then pull the orange tape in the direction of the arrow (A) so that the protective film does not remain on the air hole (B). Then remove the film completely (C).

Caution

Make sure that all the orange tape has been peeled off along the perforation. If part of the orange tape is remaining, ink may leak out when you remove the protective cap and may not eject properly when printing.

(2) Remove the orange protective cap from the bottom of the ink tank.

Discard the cap once it is removed.

(D) Carefully hold the protective cap when removing it to prevent the ink from staining your fingers.

Caution

Do not touch the electrical contacts (E) on the ink tank. Doing so can cause the printer to malfunction or become unable to print.
Be sure to remove the clear film from the ink tank in the exact order shown above, as failure to follow this step may cause the ink to leak and stain your clothes and hands.
Do not squeeze the side of ink tanks as this may cause the ink to leak out and stain your clothes and hands.
Do not reattach the protective cap once you have removed it. Discard it according to the local laws and regulations regarding disposal of consumables.
Do not touch the open ink port once the protective cap is removed, as this may prevent the ink from being ejected properly.
Be careful not to stain your clothes and hands with ink on the removed protective cap.

5. Install the ink tank.

(1) Insert the front end of the ink tank into the Print Head.

(A) Make sure the position of the tank matches the label.

(2) Press on the mark on the ink tank until the ink tank snaps firmly into place.

(3) Make sure that the ink lamp lights up red.

Caution

The printer cannot be used unless all the ink tanks are installed.

6. Close the Inner Cover.

Caution

Make sure that the Inner Cover is closed. Printing will not start with the Inner Cover open since paper can not be fed properly.

7. Close the Top Cover.

Caution

If the ALARM lamp still flashes orange after the Top Cover is closed, see [ALARM Lamp Flashes Orange].
When you start printing after replacing the ink tank, Print Head Cleaning is performed automatically. Do not perform any other operations until Print Head Cleaning finishes. The POWER lamp flashes green during cleaning.

Keeping the Best Printing Results

To avoid drying of the Print Head and clogging of the nozzles, note the following.

When You Turn Off the Printer

Follow the procedure below to turn off the printer.

(1) Press the POWER button to turn off the printer.

(2) Confirm that the POWER lamp has gone out.

This takes a few seconds or as long as around 30 seconds.

(3) Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

If you are using a power outlet strip, you can switch it off instead.

When you press the POWER button to turn off the printer, the printer automatically puts a protective cap on the Print Head to prevent the ink from drying. If you remove the power cord or switch off the power outlet strip before the POWER lamp goes out, this capping will not be done properly, causing the Print Head to dry and clog.

When You Are Not Using the Printer for a Long Time

When you are not using the printer for a long time, print in both black & white and in color, or perform Print Head Cleaning, about once a month to prevent degradation of the Print Head.

Numerous nozzles are installed in the Print Head for high-precision printing. Just as the uncapped tip of a ballpoint pen or marker becomes dry and unusable if it is not used for a long period of time, the print head nozzles become blocked by dried ink. Periodically printing or cleaning the Print Head can prevent this blockage.

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