What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA TR4520 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 TR4520 wireless all-in-one printer uses Canon PG-245 / PG-245XL pigment black and CL-246 / CL-246XL tri-color ink cartridges. The TR4520 takes a two-cartridge system, with XL high-yield options for the lowest cost per page.
CastleScore · October 2026
78/100 — Recommended
Canon PIXMA TR4520
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 80 | 4.10★ average across 18,828 ratings at Amazon (4.2), Best Buy (4.2), Walmart (3.1) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 80 | PCMag 4.0/5 |
| 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%) | 83 | Most-reported problems: support code 1430 a few months after purchase; support code 5100 reported in multiple threads; support code 7700 with no explanation on screen |
| Features (12%) | 78 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi. No touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 76 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Hard to find new. We found it only from a third-party marketplace seller at well above its original price. The TR4720 is its updated version and takes different (PG-275/CL-276) cartridges.
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. Yield |
|---|---|---|
| PG-245 | Pigment Black | ~180 pages |
| PG-245XL | Pigment Black | ~300 pages |
| CL-246 | Tri-Color (CMY) | ~180 pages |
| CL-246XL | Tri-Color (CMY) | ~300 pages |
The PG-245 / CL-246 cartridge family is also used by the Canon PIXMA MG2522, MG2920, MG3020, MG3022, MX490, MX492, TS3120, TS3122, TS3320, TS202, and iP2820 series printers.
How to Replace Ink in the Canon PIXMA TR4520
- Power on the printer and open the front cover; the print head holder will move to the replacement position.
- Press down on the empty cartridge tab and lift it out of the print head.
- Remove the new cartridge from packaging and peel off the orange protective tape.
- Insert the new cartridge at a slight angle and press up until it clicks into place.
- Close the front cover.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not recognized: Remove the cartridge, wipe the gold contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, and reseat firmly.
Streaky or faded prints: Run Print Head Cleaning from the printer's Setup menu under Maintenance.
Misaligned colors: Run Print Head Alignment with plain paper to restore output quality.
Ink warnings with remanufactured cartridges: A remanufactured or refilled cartridge can trigger an ink-level warning. See the last FAQ below for how to keep printing.
What PIXMA TR4520 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.
Which slot does each cartridge go in?
The color cartridge goes in the left slot and the black in the right. Push each one up until it locks. Swapping them is a common cause of support code 1430.
Can I use the smaller PG-243 and CL-244 cartridges?
Yes. Canon's TR4520 page lists the lower-capacity PG-243 and CL-244 alongside PG-245/CL-246 and their XL versions.
Does the document feeder scan both sides?
No. The 20-sheet feeder is single-sided. The printer does print two-sided automatically.
Will it work on 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
No. Canon lists 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only, plus USB.
Do the newer TR4720 cartridges fit?
No. The TR4720 replaced the TR4520 but uses PG-275/CL-276 cartridges, which don't fit here.
PIXMA TR4520 quirks worth knowing
- Paper loads in a 100-sheet front cassette that also takes 20 sheets of 4x6 photo paper, unlike the rear-feed MX490 series.
- The document feeder scans at 600 x 600 dpi, half the flatbed's 600 x 1200 dpi, so use the glass for photos.
- Color faxes take about 60 seconds per page versus about 3 seconds for black, and fax memory holds about 50 pages.
- It works with Amazon Alexa, so you can start some print jobs by voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many cartridges does the TR4520 use? Two — one PG-245 pigment black and one CL-246 tri-color.
Q: Can I use XL with standard? Yes — you can mix PG-245XL with CL-246 (or any combination).
Q: Why does my color cartridge drain so fast? The CL-246 is tri-color (CMY in one tank); even one empty color triggers the empty status.
Q: Will remanufactured cartridges work in the TR4520? Yes. We found no Canon firmware lockout on this printer. Expect an ink-level warning when you install one.
Q: How do I get past an ink-level warning? Press and hold the Resume/Stop button for about 5 seconds. The printer may stop tracking that cartridge's ink level afterward, 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.