What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MX920 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Canon PIXMA MX920 uses five ink tanks: PGI-250 pigment black for text, plus CLI-251 black, cyan, magenta and yellow. High-yield PGI-250XL and CLI-251XL tanks fit the same slots and cut the cost per page. Castle Ink carries all five in XL: PGI-250XL Pigment Black, CLI-251XL Black, CLI-251XL Cyan, CLI-251XL Magenta and CLI-251XL Yellow.
Canon PIXMA MX920 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|
| Canon PGI-250 | Pigment Black | ~300 pages |
| Canon CLI-251 Black | Photo Black | ~660 4x6 photos |
| Canon CLI-251 Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | Color | ~304 pages each |
| Canon PGI-250XL | Pigment Black | ~500 pages |
| Canon CLI-251XL Black | Photo Black | ~1,295 4x6 photos |
| Canon CLI-251XL Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | Color | ~665 pages each |
The MX920 has two blacks, and they do different jobs. The big PGI-250 is pigment ink for sharp text on plain paper. The smaller CLI-251 Black is dye ink used for the dark tones in photos. When you print documents, the PGI-250 empties first.
The MX920 is Canon's office all-in-one from the MX920 series (the MX922 is the same printer with a different retail code): print, scan, copy and fax, a 35-sheet automatic document feeder, automatic two-sided printing, two paper trays and Wi-Fi. The ink is identical to the Canon PIXMA MX922, and the PGI-250 / CLI-251 family also fits the MX722, MG5420, MG5520, MG5620, MG6420, MG6620, iP7220 and iX6820.
Do not confuse PGI-250 / CLI-251 with PGI-280 / CLI-281 (TS6120, TS8120) or PGI-270 / CLI-271 (MG5720, MG6820). They look similar, but they will not fit the MX920.
Save on PGI-250XL / CLI-251XL
Castle Ink's compatible XL tanks cost a fraction of Canon's. Buy the colors you need one at a time — PGI-250XL Pigment Black, CLI-251XL Black, CLI-251XL Cyan, CLI-251XL Magenta, CLI-251XL Yellow — or stock up with the PGI-250XL / CLI-251XL 11-pack. Every tank is tested, backed by a 1-year guarantee, and ships free on orders over $50. See the real cost per page with our printer ink cost calculator.
How to Replace Ink in the Canon PIXMA MX920
- Turn the printer on and lift the scanning unit until it locks open.
- Wait for the print head holder to move to the replacement position.
- Press the tab on the empty tank to release it, then lift it out.
- Twist off the orange protective cap from the new tank. Do not touch the electrical contacts.
- Insert the tank into its matching color slot and press down on the top until the lamp on the tank lights up red.
- Close the scanning unit.
Troubleshooting Tips
Tank lamp not lit or "cannot recognize ink": Press down on the top of the tank until it clicks and the lamp lights. Make sure each tank is in the slot matching its label.
"Remaining ink level cannot be detected" (support code 1686): Normal with compatible or remanufactured tanks. Press and hold Stop for about 5 seconds to keep printing. Ink level detection turns off for that tank only.
Text is faint but photos look fine: That is the PGI-250 pigment black. Run a nozzle check, then one cleaning. If the pattern is still broken, run one deep cleaning and let the printer rest for a few hours. See how to clean Canon printer heads.
Official Canon PIXMA MX920 Resources
Bottom Line
The Canon PIXMA MX920 runs on PGI-250 / CLI-251, and XL tanks are the way to buy it. Keep a spare PGI-250XL on hand — in an office it empties first by a wide margin.
Written and reviewed by William Elward — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry. Last updated October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MX920 ink the same as the MX922?
Yes. Both take PGI-250 and CLI-251, in standard or XL sizes.
Can I mix standard and XL tanks?
Yes. Standard and XL tanks are the same shape and work side by side.
Will the printer work with one empty tank?
No. Canon PIXMA printers with individual tanks need all five installed and none completely empty to print.
Does using compatible or remanufactured cartridges void my warranty?
No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a manufacturer cannot void your printer warranty only because you used third-party cartridges. Damage proven to be caused by a specific cartridge would not be covered, but the rest of the warranty still applies.
How are these page yields measured?
They are approximate figures based on Canon's ISO/IEC 24711 testing. Real results depend on what you print, how often, and how much color is on the page.
Shop Compatible Ink at Castle Ink
Find the right cartridge for the Canon PIXMA MX920 and every other printer we cover on the Find Ink by Printer page, or work through a fault at our printer troubleshooting center.
Buy the Canon PIXMA MX920 on Amazon: Canon PIXMA MX920 on Amazon — as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
See also: printer says ink cartridge not recognized | faded or streaky prints | printer printing the wrong colors
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