What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MX472 Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all Canon PG-240 & CL-241 Ink Cartridges – 240XL, 240XXL & 241XL → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
CastleScore · October 2026
75/100 — Recommended
Canon PIXMA MX472
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 60 | PCMag 3.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 82 | About 5.1¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PG-240XXL (600 pages) and CL-241XL (400 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 87 | Most-reported problems: support code 5B02 locks the printer |
| Features (12%) | 70 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, fax, Wi-Fi. No auto two-sided printing, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. Canon no longer sells the MX472 new. PG-240 and CL-241 cartridges, including the XL and XXL sizes, are still widely sold.
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 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
PG-240XL + CL-241XL 2-pack5206B001 / 5208B001
PG-240XXL Black5204B001 · ~600 pages
PG-240XL Black5206B001 · ~300 pages
CL-241XL Tri-color5208B001 · ~400 pages
PG-240XL + CL-241XL 2-pack
PG-240XXL Black
PG-240XL Black
CL-241XL Tri-colorOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what ink does the Canon PIXMA MX472 use?
The Canon PIXMA MX472 uses two FINE cartridges: one PG-240 black and one CL-241 tri-color (cyan, magenta, and yellow in a single cartridge). High-yield PG-240XL and CL-241XL, plus the extra-high-yield PG-240XXL black, fit the same slots.
Wondering whether non-Canon ink is safe in this printer? Our compatible vs OEM Canon ink guide covers warranty, chips and cost per page.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Type | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| Canon PG-240 | Black | ~180 pages |
| Canon PG-240XL | Black (high yield) | ~300 pages |
| Canon PG-240XXL | Black (extra-high yield) | ~600 pages |
| Canon CL-241 | Tri-color | ~180 pages |
| Canon CL-241XL | Tri-color (high yield) | ~400 pages |
*Approximate Canon-rated yields based on ISO/IEC test pages. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.
Common questions about Canon PIXMA MX472 ink
Standard, XL, or XXL: which should I buy?
For most people, PG-240XL or PG-240XXL black plus CL-241XL color. The XXL black is rated for about 600 pages, more than three times the standard PG-240, so it has the lowest cost per page if you print a lot of text. Only buy standard cartridges if the printer sits idle for months, since ink can dry out before you use it. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.
What other printers use PG-240/CL-241 ink?
The same cartridges fit the PIXMA MG2120, MG3120, MG3520, MG3600, MG3620, MX452, MX470, MX532, TS5120, MG3220, MG4120, MG4220, MX372, MX392, MX432, MX439, MX459, MX512, MX522, MG2220, MG3122, MG3222 and MG3522. If you own two of these printers, one stock of cartridges covers both.
Will other Canon cartridges fit the MX472?
No. PG-243/PG-245 and CL-244/CL-246 (used by the PIXMA MG2520 and TS3122) are a smaller cartridge, and PG-210/CL-211 (MX340, MP495) and PG-260/CL-261 (TS5320, TR7020) are different shapes too. None of them will seat in a PG-240/CL-241 printer. Always match the number printed on your current cartridge.
Are compatible or remanufactured cartridges safe for the MX472?
Yes. Canon doesn't lock out refilled or remanufactured FINE cartridges, and using them doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. The printer may show support code 1686, which means it can't track the ink level in that cartridge. See the support code answer below for how to keep printing. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.
How do I replace the ink in the MX472?
With the printer on, open the front cover, then the paper output tray, then the paper output cover; the cartridge holder moves to the replacement position. Push the lock lever down to release the old cartridge and take it out. Peel the protective tape off the new cartridge (don't touch the gold contacts or the nozzles), insert it straight in until it touches the back, then push the lock lever up until it clicks. Black goes on the right and color on the left. Close the cover and run a nozzle check. Walkthrough: How to replace the ink in a Canon PIXMA printer.
What does support code 1686 or 1688 mean?
Code 1686 means the printer can no longer estimate how much ink is left, which is normal after a cartridge runs very low or when a refilled or remanufactured cartridge is installed. Press and hold Stop for about 5 seconds to keep printing; this turns off ink-level detection for that cartridge only. Code 1688 means the ink has run out. See Printer error codes explained.
Why are MX472 prints faded, streaky, or missing a color?
On this printer the print head is part of each cartridge, so a fresh cartridge often fixes nozzle problems. Before you replace one, run a nozzle check and one or two cleanings from the printer or the Canon driver. If one color is missing from the color cartridge, that color is empty and the whole cartridge needs replacing. Step by step: How to clean Canon printer heads and Faded or streaky prints: causes and fixes.
Does the MX472 have fax and a document feeder?
Yes. The MX472 is an office all-in-one that prints, scans, copies, and faxes, with a 30-sheet automatic document feeder for multi-page originals.
Is the MX472 the same as the MX492?
No. The MX472 uses PG-240/CL-241, while the MX492 uses PG-245/CL-246. Check the model number before you order.
MX472 key facts
- Type: wireless office all-in-one (print, scan, copy, fax)
- Ink: 2 FINE cartridges, PG-240 black + CL-241 color (XL and XXL fit)
- Document feeder: 30 sheets
- Fax: color, about 50 pages of memory
- Same series as: MX470
What PIXMA MX472 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.
Will it print with only one cartridge installed?
No. Canon says both the black and the color FINE cartridges must be installed or the MX472 won't print, even a black-only page.
My incoming faxes stopped printing after I bypassed a low-ink warning. Why?
Once support code 1686 is bypassed, the MX472 stores received faxes in memory instead of printing them. Replace the cartridge, or change the fax setting to force printing, and the stored faxes come out.
The cartridge holder moved to the far right and the Alarm lamp is on.
That happens when the paper output cover stays open for more than 10 minutes. Close the cover and open it again, and the holder comes back to the replacement position.
It shows support code 5B02. Can I fix it?
5B02 means the printer needs service. On Canon's forum, Canon's out-of-warranty answer was its discounted upgrade program rather than a repair. Canon also explained that unplugging during the power-on noise lets you open the cover to take your cartridges out first.
PIXMA MX472 quirks worth knowing
- The fax stores about 50 pages in memory, handles 19 group-dial locations and sends color at about one minute a page. That is a real office fax on a small inkjet.
- Canon advises using a FINE cartridge within six months of installing it, so don't stock up on XXL black if you barely print.
- Canon doesn't list automatic two-sided printing for the MX470 series. Duplex is manual: you flip the pages.
- It has a 2-line LCD, not a touchscreen, and connects by Wi-Fi or USB. AirPrint works for iPhones and iPads.
Other printers that use PG-240 and CL-241
Canon PIXMA MX432 · Canon PIXMA MG3620 · Canon PIXMA MG3600 · Canon PIXMA MX470 · Canon PIXMA MG3520 · Canon PIXMA MG3120 · Canon PIXMA MG2120 · Canon PIXMA TS5120 · Canon PIXMA MX452
More Canon ink guides: Canon PIXMA TS3722 · Canon PIXMA TR4720 · Canon PIXMA TS3322 · 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 10, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Canon PG-240 & CL-241 Ink Cartridges – 240XL, 240XXL & 241XL? Shop Canon PG-240 & CL-241 Ink Cartridges – 240XL, 240XXL & 241XL at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.