What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MP250 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Canon PIXMA MP250 uses Canon PG-210 Black and Canon CL-211 Color, with PG-210XL and CL-211XL as the high-yield versions. Castle Ink stocks PG-210XL Black, CL-211XL Color and a PG-210XL + CL-211XL combo pack.
Canon PIXMA MP250 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Canon Part No. | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon PG-210 | Black (standard) | 2974B001 | ~220 pages |
| Canon PG-210XL | Black (high-yield) | 2973B001 | ~400 pages |
| Canon CL-211 | Color (standard) | 2976B001 | ~245 pages |
| Canon CL-211XL | Color (high-yield) | 2975B001 | ~350 pages |
The PIXMA MP250 is a two-cartridge printer. The PG-210 is a pigment black cartridge for sharp text, and the CL-211 holds cyan, magenta and yellow dye inks in one cartridge. Both are Canon FINE cartridges, so the print nozzles are part of the cartridge — install a new one and you have a new printhead.
The MP250 is an older USB-only print, copy and scan all-in-one (it has no Wi-Fi). It is long discontinued, but many are still in daily use, and PG-210/CL-211 cartridges remain widely available because the same pair fits more than a dozen PIXMA models.
Standard vs. XL: Which Should You Buy?
The PG-210XL prints nearly twice as many pages as the standard PG-210, and the CL-211XL about 40% more than the CL-211. The cartridges are identical in size and fit the same way, so the XL versions are the better value for almost everyone. Check the math with our printer ink cost calculator.
Buying PG-210XL / CL-211XL at Castle Ink
Shop Canon PG-210XL Black (2973B001), Canon CL-211XL Color (2975B001) or the PG-210XL + CL-211XL combo pack. These are remanufactured Canon cartridges — original shells that are cleaned, refilled and tested — and they ship the same day when you order by 4 PM ET. Printing checks? There's also a PG-210XL MICR black cartridge.
How to Replace Ink in the Canon PIXMA MP250
- Turn the printer on and lift the scanning unit (the top section of the printer) until it locks open. The cartridge holder moves to the center.
- Push the empty cartridge down until it clicks, then lift it out.
- Remove the new cartridge from its package and gently pull off the orange protective tape. Do not touch the electrical contacts or the nozzles.
- Insert the cartridge at a slight angle into its holder — color on the left, black on the right — and push it up until it clicks.
- Lower the scanning unit gently. Wait for the printer to finish initializing before you print.
Troubleshooting Tips
"E13" or "E16" on the display (ink level unknown): The MP250's small LED display shows E13 or E16 when it cannot detect the ink level, which is normal with refilled or remanufactured cartridges. Press and hold the Stop/Reset button for at least 5 seconds to disable ink-level detection for that cartridge and continue printing.
"E05" (cartridge cannot be recognized): The cartridge is not seated or its contacts are dirty. Remove it, wipe the contacts with a dry lint-free cloth and reinstall it until it clicks. See printer says ink cartridge not recognized.
Faded black or streaks: Run a Cleaning, then a Deep Cleaning if needed, from the printer driver's Maintenance tab. If output is still poor, replace the cartridge — the printhead is part of it. More in printer printing faded text and why is my Canon printer not printing.
Printer not detected on a newer computer: The MP250 connects by USB only. Download the current driver for your operating system from Canon's support site rather than relying on the original setup CD.
Which Other Printers Use PG-210 / CL-211?
PG-210 and CL-211 (and their XL versions) also fit the Canon PIXMA MP240, MP270, PIXMA MP280, MP480, MP490, MP495, MX320, MX330, MX340, MX350, MX410, MX420 and iP2702.
Official Canon PIXMA MP250 Resources
Bottom Line
The Canon PIXMA MP250 uses PG-210 black and CL-211 color. Buy the PG-210XL and CL-211XL for the best value, and if the display shows E13 or E16 after a cartridge change, hold Stop for five seconds to keep printing.
Written and reviewed by William Elward — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry. Updated October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MP250 the same as the MP280?
They are close relatives in the same PIXMA generation and use the same PG-210 and CL-211 cartridges.
Can I use PG-240 or PG-245 in the MP250?
No. Those are different cartridge families. The MP250 only accepts PG-210/CL-211 (standard or XL).
Does the MP250 have Wi-Fi?
No. It connects to a computer by USB only.
Why does my MP250 say E16 with a new cartridge?
E16 means the ink level cannot be detected, common with refilled or remanufactured cartridges. Hold Stop/Reset for 5 seconds to continue printing.
Shop Ink at Castle Ink
Find the right cartridge for the Canon PIXMA MP250 and every other printer we cover on the Find Ink by Printer page, or work through a fault at our printer troubleshooting center. Shopping for a new machine? Try the PrinterIQ Finder, a 60-second quiz that matches you to a printer.
Buy the Canon PIXMA MP250 on Amazon: Canon PIXMA MP250 on Amazon — as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
See also: why is my Canon printer not printing | printer says ink cartridge not recognized | compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink
Need replacement Canon ink cartridges? Shop Canon ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.
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