What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MG7720 Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all Canon PGI-270 & CLI-271 Ink Cartridges – 270XL & 271XL → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
The Canon PIXMA MG7720 wireless all-in-one photo printer uses Canon PGI-270 ink: Canon PGI-270 pigment black and CLI-271 dye-based color ink cartridges. The MG7720 uses a six-cartridge system (PGBK, BK, C, M, Y, Gray) with XL high-yield options for the best value.
CastleScore · October 2026
84/100 — Highly Recommended
Canon PIXMA MG7720
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 88 | 4.50★ average across 1,303 ratings at Best Buy (4.5) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 70 | PCMag 3.5/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 93 | About 2.1¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PGI-270XL (500 pages) and CLI-271XL colors (about 645-715 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 87 | Most-reported problems: support Code 1256 asks the user to open the output tray, then Support Code 6000 blocks all printing. Power-cycling and checking for jams didn't fix it, and the owner replaced the printer |
| Features (12%) | 73 | Print, copy, scan, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen. No document feeder, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | 90 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Discontinued. Canon has retired the MG7720: product support and driver updates have ended, and Canon has not named a successor. This page is for current owners.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 12, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
PGI-270XL / CLI-271XL 5-packPGBK + BK/C/M/Y
PGI-270XL Black0319C001 · ~500 pages
CLI-271XL Cyan0337C001 · ~715 pages
CLI-271XL Magenta0338C001 · ~645 pages
PGI-270XL / CLI-271XL 5-pack
PGI-270XL Black
CLI-271XL Cyan
CLI-271XL MagentaOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. Yield |
|---|---|---|
| PGI-270 | Pigment Black | ~300 pages |
| PGI-270 XL | Pigment Black | ~500 pages |
| CLI-271 | Black (dye) | ~1,795 pages |
| CLI-271 | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~345 / ~306 / ~347 pages |
| CLI-271 | Gray | ~780 pages |
| CLI-271 XL | Black (dye) | ~5,565 pages |
| CLI-271 XL | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~715 pages (Canon Europe rates magenta ~645) |
| CLI-271 XL | Gray | ~715 pages |
The PGI-270 / CLI-271 cartridge family is also used by the Canon PIXMA MG5720, MG5722, MG6820, MG6821, MG6822, and TS5020, TS6020, TS8020, TS9020 series printers. Only the MG7720, TS8020 and TS9020 take the CLI-271 gray tank. The MG7520 looks similar but uses PGI-250/CLI-251 tanks.
How to Replace Ink in the Canon PIXMA MG7720
- Turn on the printer and open the paper output tray, then lift the operation panel until it stops. Wait for the print head holder to stop moving.
- Press the tab on the empty cartridge to release it and lift it out of the print head.
- Unpack the new tank and remove the orange protective cap and any tape.
- Insert the new cartridge into the matching color slot and push down until you hear a click.
- Close the cover and wait for the printer to finish initializing.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not recognized: Remove and reseat the cartridge; wipe the gold contacts gently with a dry lint-free cloth if needed.
Streaky or faded prints: Run Print Head Cleaning from the MG7720's touchscreen Maintenance menu.
Misaligned colors: Run Print Head Alignment using the auto-alignment feature on plain paper.
Ink-level warnings: A remanufactured tank can't report its ink level the way a new Canon tank does, so you may see a warning and lose the gauge for that tank. Judge the remaining ink by print quality from then on.
Related PGI-270 / CLI-271 guide
See our updated Canon PIXMA TS5020 ink guide for a full Q&A on PGI-270 and CLI-271 cartridges, including standard vs. XL and support code 1686. Shop our remanufactured PGI-270XL / CLI-271XL 6-pack with gray at Castle Ink.
Older models, different ink: the PIXMA MG5420, PIXMA MG6620, and PIXMA MG7520 use PGI-250/CLI-251 tanks, which won't fit this printer.
What PIXMA MG7720 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, Canon's support community and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Can the MG7720 print directly on CDs and DVDs?
Yes. Canon lists printing on printable CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs.
Where does photo paper go?
In the upper front cassette, which holds up to 20 sheets of 4x6 or 10 sheets of 5x7. The lower cassette holds 125 sheets of plain paper.
Is the MG7720 still supported by Canon?
No. Canon has retired the model. Product support is no longer available, and Canon is not making driver or content updates, which matters when you move to a new operating system.
Can I print by tapping my phone on it?
Yes, from NFC-equipped Android phones through PIXMA Touch & Print. AirPrint and Mopria are supported too.
It shows support code 1256, then 6000, and won't print. Can I fix it?
1256 asks you to open the output tray. In one Canon Community thread, 6000 followed and power-cycling and checking for jams did not clear it; the owner replaced the printer. With Canon support retired, repair options are limited.
PIXMA MG7720 quirks worth knowing
- The CLI-271 dye black is rated far higher than the other tanks, about 1,795 pages standard and 5,565 XL, because ISO test pages mostly use the PGI-270 pigment black. Plan spares around the pigment black and the colors.
- OEM listings rate the standard CLI-271 gray at about 780 pages, higher than the 715 listed for the XL gray. Treat the XL as more ink, not necessarily more rated pages.
- Unlike most PIXMAs of its time, it has wired Ethernet as well as Wi-Fi and NFC tap-to-print.
- It loads paper from two front cassettes (plain below, photo above) rather than a rear tray, and its 3.5-inch touchscreen shows only the controls for the task in hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many cartridges does the MG7720 use? Six — one PGI-270 pigment black plus five CLI-271 (BK, C, M, Y, Gray).
Q: What is the Gray (CLI-271 GY) cartridge for? It improves grayscale gradients and black-and-white photo quality.
Q: Are PGI-270 and PGI-280 interchangeable? No — they're different sizes and not cross-compatible.
Q: Can I use remanufactured tanks in the MG7720? Yes. We found no Canon lockout for PGI-270 and CLI-271 tanks, and Canon has stopped issuing updates for this model. Expect the ink gauge to be unreliable with refilled tanks.
Q: Does XL save money? Usually, but the gain varies by tank. The PGI-270XL is rated at about 500 pages against 300 for the standard. The color XL tanks are rated at about 715 pages (magenta about 645) against roughly 306–347.
Other printers that use PGI-270 and CLI-271
Canon PIXMA MG6821 · Canon PIXMA TS9020 · Canon PIXMA MG6820 · Canon PIXMA TS5020 · Canon PIXMA TS6020 · Canon PIXMA TS8020 · Canon PIXMA MG5720
More Canon ink guides: Canon PIXMA TS3722 · Canon PIXMA TR4720 · Canon PIXMA MG3600 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- Canon PIXMA MegaTank G3290 — CastleScore 88
- Canon imageCLASS MF275dw (laser) — CastleScore 81
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 12, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Canon PGI-270 & CLI-271 Ink Cartridges – 270XL & 271XL? Shop Canon PGI-270 & CLI-271 Ink Cartridges – 270XL & 271XL at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.