What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MX492 Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all Canon PG-245 & CL-246 Ink Cartridges – 245XL & 246XL → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
The Canon PIXMA MX492 wireless office all-in-one uses PG-245 pigment black and CL-246 color ink cartridges. Canon also sells higher-yield PG-245XL and CL-246XL tanks that dramatically lower your per-page cost.
CastleScore · October 2026
73/100 — Recommended
Canon PIXMA MX492
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 78 | 4.00★ average across 8,534 ratings at Amazon (4.0) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 60 | PCMag (MX472) 3.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 73 | About 7.7¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PG-245XL and CL-246XL (about 300 pages each). |
| Reliability (13%) | 84 | Most-reported problems: support code B203/B204 with the cartridge carriage stuck; printer stops printing with only 'Canon' on the display |
| Features (12%) | 70 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, fax, Wi-Fi. No auto two-sided printing, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 76 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Discontinued. Canon has retired the MX492 and no longer offers product support or driver updates for it. Canon names no successor.
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
PG-245XL + CL-246XL 2-packBlack + Color
PG-245XL Black8278B001 · ~300 pages
CL-246XL Tri-color8280B001 · ~300 pages
PG-245XL + CL-246XL 2-pack
PG-245XL Black
CL-246XL Tri-colorOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|
| Canon PG-245 | Pigment Black | ~180 pages |
| Canon CL-246 | Tri-Color | ~180 pages |
| Canon PG-245XL | Pigment Black | ~300 pages |
| Canon CL-246XL | Tri-Color | ~300 pages |
The PG-245 / CL-246 family is used in many Canon home and small-office printers including the PIXMA iP2820, MG2420, MG2520, MG2922, MG2920, MG3020, MG3022, MG3029, MX490, TR4520, TR4522, TS3120, TS3122, TS3320, and TS3322 — one of Canon’s most widely shared cartridge families.
How to Replace Ink in the Canon PIXMA MX492
- Power the printer on and lift the front access door.
- Wait for the FINE cartridge holder to slide to the center replacement position.
- Press the tab on the empty cartridge to release it, then lift it straight out.
- Remove the protective tape from the new cartridge and insert it into the matching slot until it clicks.
- Close the cover and let the printer run its alignment routine.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Ink cartridge cannot be recognized" alert: Reseat each cartridge and wipe the gold chip contacts with a lint-free cloth.
Streaky prints: From the Canon PRINT app or IJ Printer Utility, run Cleaning > Deep Cleaning. Repeat once if streaks persist.
Alignment off: After installing a new cartridge, run Print Head Alignment from the Maintenance menu.
Firmware: We found no Canon lockout for PG-245/CL-246 cartridges. Canon has issued at least one MX492 firmware update (in 2022, to fix a printer that stopped printing), and we found no sign it changed how non-Canon cartridges are handled.
What PIXMA MX492 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.
The carriage is stuck and it shows B203 or B204. Can I fix it myself?
Canon's advice is to move the carriage, take out both cartridges and restart. If the code changes to a cartridge error, fit new cartridges. If B203/B204 keeps coming back, the printer needs service.
It won't print and the screen only says "Canon". What helped?
Canon released a firmware update for this fault in 2022, and the owner who reported it said the update fixed the printer.
How many pages does the document feeder take?
20 sheets, with originals up to 8.5 x 14 in. It scans one side at a time.
Can my phone print to it without a Wi-Fi router?
Yes. Canon lists Access Point Mode, which lets a phone or tablet connect to the printer directly.
Do MX470 or MX472 cartridges fit?
No. The MX470 series looks similar but uses PG-240/CL-241, a different and larger cartridge. The MX492 takes PG-245/CL-246.
PIXMA MX492 quirks worth knowing
- Paper feeds from a 100-sheet automatic sheet feeder, not a front cassette.
- All of the print nozzles are built into the two FINE cartridges, so every new cartridge is also a new print head.
- Color faxes take about a minute per page versus about 3 seconds for black, and the memory holds about 50 pages.
- Canon files the MX492 under the MX490 series, so the MX490 manuals apply to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mix PG-245 standard and PG-245XL?
Yes — the cartridges are interchangeable. Many users run an XL black with a standard color tri-color.
Does the MX492 need a setup cartridge?
No, your replacement cartridges install directly. Setup ink is only used the first time you unbox a brand-new printer.
What’s the difference between PG-245 and CL-246?
The PG-245 is a pigment black cartridge used for crisp text. The CL-246 is a tri-color (cyan, magenta, yellow) tank used for color and photo prints.
How long do PG-245XL and CL-246XL cartridges last?
Both XL cartridges yield about 300 pages each, depending on coverage.
Why does Canon show a "Non-genuine cartridge" message?
Canon shows an ink-level warning for refilled and remanufactured cartridges because it can't read how much ink is left. To keep printing you may need to hold the Resume/Stop button for about 5 seconds. The printer then stops tracking that cartridge's ink level, so watch for faded output.
Other printers that use PG-245 and CL-246
Canon PIXMA MX490 · Canon PIXMA MG2922 · Canon PIXMA TS3120 · Canon PIXMA TR4522 · Canon PIXMA TR4527 · Canon PIXMA iP2820 · Canon PIXMA MG3029 · Canon PIXMA MG2525
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 PG-245 & CL-246 Ink Cartridges – 245XL & 246XL? Shop Canon PG-245 & CL-246 Ink Cartridges – 245XL & 246XL at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.