What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MG6420 Use?
Last Updated:The Canon PIXMA MG6420 is a wireless all-in-one inkjet that uses five individual cartridges: Canon PGI-250 pigment black and CLI-251 black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Standard and XL high-yield versions are available to balance cost against print volume.
Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Yield Options |
|---|---|---|
| PGI-250 | Pigment Black | Standard, XL |
| CLI-251 | Black (dye) | Standard, XL |
| CLI-251 | Cyan | Standard, XL |
| CLI-251 | Magenta | Standard, XL |
| CLI-251 | Yellow | Standard, XL |
The PGI-250/CLI-251 cartridge family is also used by many other Canon PIXMA models including the iP7220, iP8720, iX6820, MG5420, MG5520, MG6320, MG6620, MG6820, MG7520, MG7720, MX722, and MX922. Stock one set to cover the whole family.
Save on PGI-250 and CLI-251 Ink
Castle Ink offers compatible PGI-250 and CLI-251 cartridges at significant savings versus OEM with matching page yields. Shop PGI-250 cartridges or browse CLI-251 colors for your MG6420.
How to Replace Ink in the Canon PIXMA MG6420
- Power on the printer and open the top scanner unit; the cartridge holder slides to the access position.
- Press the tab on the empty cartridge and lift it straight up out of the print head.
- Unwrap the new cartridge and remove the orange protective cap from the bottom.
- Insert the cartridge into the matching color slot and press down until you hear a click and the LED lights.
- Close the scanner unit and let the printer perform a print head alignment if prompted.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not recognized: Remove the cartridge, wipe its gold contacts with a lint-free cloth, and reseat it firmly until the LED illuminates.
Faded or streaky prints: Run a print head cleaning from Setup > Maintenance. Repeat up to three times before swapping cartridges.
Low ink warning that won't clear: Hold the Stop/Reset button for five seconds to acknowledge the warning and continue printing.
B200 print head error: Power cycle the printer; if the error persists, remove and reseat all cartridges plus the print head assembly.
Official Canon Resources
Canon MG6420 Support Page | Canon Genuine Ink
Bottom Line
The Canon PIXMA MG6420 uses five PGI-250/CLI-251 cartridges. Choose XL yields for the lowest cost per page, and consider Castle Ink's compatibles for additional savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will PGI-270 cartridges fit the MG6420? No, the MG6420 requires PGI-250/CLI-251; PGI-270/CLI-271 have different chips and won't be recognized.
Are XL cartridges worth the extra cost? Yes, XL cartridges roughly double the page yield with a lower cost per page than standard.
Do I need all five cartridges installed? Yes, the MG6420 requires all five cartridges installed for normal operation, even when printing black-only documents.
Will compatible cartridges void my warranty? No, under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, compatibles do not void your Canon warranty unless they cause damage.
How do I check ink levels? Tap the LCD home screen and select Setup > Estimated Ink Levels to view remaining ink.
Written by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink, with 20+ years of experience in the printer and ink industry.