How-to guide
How to refill an ink tank printer without spills
Refill an ink tank printer cleanly: match each bottle to its tank, fill without overfilling, keep ink off skin and fabric, and confirm the refill if asked.
Ink tank printers, such as Epson EcoTank, Canon MegaTank and HP Smart Tank models, hold ink in refillable tanks instead of cartridges. Refilling is quick and clean with the right bottles and a little care. Refill when a tank reaches its lower line, before the level drops below it, because a tank that runs dry can pull air into the ink lines.
Steps for the printer itself.
Before you start
- Ink bottles made for your printer model
- Paper towels or old newspaper
- A damp cloth
- Disposable gloves (optional)
Steps
Work down the list in order. Tick off each step as you go: your progress is saved on this device.
On the printer itself
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Check you have the right ink
Use bottles made for your printer model. Ink formulas differ between ranges, and many current bottles have a shaped tip that fits only the matching tank. The wrong ink can block the print head, and damage it causes may not be covered by the warranty.
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Protect your work area
Lay paper towels or newspaper under and in front of the tanks, and keep a damp cloth within reach. Keep ink off your skin, clothes, carpet and furniture, as it stains and is hard to remove.
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Check the levels through the windows
Look at each tank through its window. Refill any that are at or near the lower line.
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Open the cover and one tank cap
Open the tank cover, or lift the tank unit if your model is built that way, then open the cap of only the tank you are filling. Caps are usually color-coded; working one color at a time avoids mix-ups.
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Open the bottle upright
Hold the bottle upright, take off its cap and remove any seal. Don’t shake or squeeze it.
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Fill the tank
Insert the bottle’s tip into the matching tank. On many current models the ink flows by itself and stops when the tank is full, so leave the bottle in place until the flow stops. On older designs without an automatic stop, squeeze gently and stop at the upper line.
You should see: The level reaches the upper line and no more ink flows.
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Remove the bottle and close up
Lift the bottle out upright, wipe any drip from the tip, and recap it. Close the tank cap firmly, then close the cover.
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Confirm the refill on the printer
If the screen asks which colors you refilled, select them so the printer resets its level estimate. Some models track ink by counting usage rather than sensing the level, and the count resets only when you confirm.
You should see: The ink level display shows the refilled colors as full.
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Store leftover ink upright
Recap part-used bottles tightly, keep them upright in a cool, dark place out of reach of children, and use them within the period shown on the box.
Good to know
- If ink gets on your skin, wash it off with soap and water. If it gets in your eyes, rinse them with plenty of water and get medical advice if irritation continues.
- If a tank fell below its lower line, the printer may need to draw ink through again. Read the guide on ink tanks not printing after a refill before running repeated cleaning cycles.
- Moving or tilting a filled ink tank printer can leak ink. If you need to move it any distance, follow the transport steps in the manual first.
- Ink is hardest to remove once it dries. Blot spills straight away with a damp cloth rather than rubbing them in.
Common questions
Can I use third-party ink in an ink tank printer?
Some printers work with it, but quality and compatibility vary, and some manufacturers’ warranties exclude damage caused by non-genuine ink. Whatever you choose, match the ink type the printer was designed for and never mix different inks in one tank.
Why won’t the ink flow out of the bottle?
Check that it is the correct bottle for that tank and that it is pushed fully into place. With self-stopping bottles, no flow can also mean the tank is already full.
I overfilled a tank. What should I do?
Wipe up any ink outside the tank, close the cap firmly and keep the printer level. Don’t try to pour ink back out; print normally and the level will come down.