How to check ink levels on an HP, Canon, Epson, or Brother printer

An inkjet printer is a wonderful tool, but quality can suffer when ink levels are low. Even the best printer in the world can’t help you if the ink has completely run out.

Given the importance of maintaining a good ink supply, it should be easy to figure out how much ink is left, and the top names in printing do it well. Let’s see how to check the ink level on HP, Canon, Epson and Brother printers.

Checking ink on an HP printer

HP’s Instant Ink program enables automatic ink refilling. The printer monitors ink levels and attempts to send replacement ink before the cartridge runs out. This means that you may not need to check your ink levels if you subscribe to this program.

Some HP inkjet printers, like the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e and the affordable HP Envy Inspire 7955e, include six months of free ink. If you don’t have HP Instant Ink, your trial period has ended, or you just want to check your levels before starting a big print job, using the mobile app is a convenient way to find out.

Open the HP Smart mobile app. You should see the printer model at the top with a bar graph of ink levels on the right. If you have more than one HP printer, scroll to the sides to see other models.

A screenshot of the HP Smart app with an arrow showing ink levels.

Checking ink on a Canon printer

Canon’s automatic replenishment program provides you with fresh ink when your printer detects that it is running low. You need to sign up on a Windows or Mac computer, but subscriptions will be available via the mobile app in the second half of 2023.

Canon’s Pixma TS202 won first place on our list of best printer deals. For less than $50, Canon can’t make money on hardware, so it has to make a profit on ink, and cartridges will need to be replaced more often. A printer like Canon’s Pixma TS302, another one of our top lists, can use high-yield cartridges that last longer.

Regardless of the cartridge’s life, it’s a good idea to periodically check the ink level in the printer to see how fast it’s running low. It’s easier with the mobile app. If you don’t already have the Canon Print app, install it from the iPhone App Store or Google Play Store.

Step 1 – In the Canon Print app, select your printer at the bottom of the screen to see more information.

A screenshot of the Canon Print app with the arrow pointing to the printer at the bottom.

Step 2 – On the next screen, you should see the ink levels appearing in the middle.

A screenshot of the Canon Print app with an arrow showing the ink levels in the printer.

Checking ink on an Epson printer

Epson used to have a subscription ink service called ReadyInk, but they are currently not accepting new subscriptions. If you own an Epson EcoTank series printer, you can still sign up for a similar service called ReadyPrint.

The ink in printers like Epson’s EcoTank ET-2850 could last for over a year, so it’s easy to forget to order more. When it does, it comes in large bottles that fill the tanks at the front right. By the way, you can see the ink level through the transparent panels.

If you own a budget printer like the Expression Home XP-4200, you’ll want to keep an eye on your ink levels because small cartridges run out quickly.

Step 1 – To keep up with ink levels when using an Epson printer, open the Epson Smart Panel app and select your printer at the top. You will see bar graphs showing how much ink is left for each color.

A screenshot of the Epson Smart Panel app with an arrow showing the ink levels in the printer.

Step 2: To see the remaining ink amount more clearly, select the ink table and a larger version will be displayed. The green bar on the far right is the waste ink collection cartridge that rarely needs to be replaced.

A screenshot of the Epson Smart Panel app with an arrow pointing to the larger ink level screen.

Checking ink on a Brother printer

Brother printers often make our list of the best printers because they offer great value and tend to last a long time.

Like most ink manufacturers, Brother offers a subscription service that aims to get you ink before it runs out. EZ Auto Reordering delivers more ink while your printer is running low.

You may still want to see how much is left, and the mobile app allows you to check remotely.

Step 1: Open the Brother iPrint&Scan app, then tap Supplies/Machine Setup See details.

A screenshot of the Brother iPrint&Scan app with an arrow pointing to the supplies button.

Step 2: A bar graph of the remaining ink, or in my case, the toner will be displayed.

A screenshot of the Brother iPrint&Scan app with an arrow showing the toner level.

Check from Windows

Your printer may have Windows software that allows you to view ink levels. This is the fastest way, but if you don’t want to install additional printer software on your computer, there is a universal method that works with most popular printers.

Step 1: In Windows settings, select *Bluetooth and devices* in the left sidebar. Choose Printers and scanners on the right and select the printer you want to check.

A screenshot of Windows setup showing how to access the printer options.

Step 2: choose Device Information in More information to reveal details about that printer. Use the highlighted clickable link Web page/ to open the printer’s web server.

A screenshot of Windows setup showing how to view the printer's web page.

Step 3: You may see a login screen. If you know your password, enter it. If not, you can still view your supply details. In the address bar, delete everything to the right of the first “/” and press “enter.”

A screenshot showing how to bypass the printer's web server login to view basic information

Step 4 – You will see the ink level displayed regardless of whether you are using an HP, Canon, Epson or Brother printer.

Screenshot showing printer web server home screen with ink levels

Checking from Mac

If you already have the printer manufacturer’s macOS app installed, this may be the quickest way to see how much ink is left. If not, you can check the printer’s ink levels in system settings.

Step 1 – Use the search box in the top left corner to find your printer settings or scroll down and select Printers and scanners from the left sidebar.

A screenshot of Mac setup, showing how to access the printer options.

Step 2: Select your printer from the list.

A screenshot of Mac settings, showing how to view information about a specific printer.

Step 3: Under Location, select Options and consumables button.

A screenshot of Mac settings showing how to view the printer's ink supply.

Step 4: A new window will open and you will find the ink levels under the Supplies tab.

A screenshot of Mac settings, showing the printer's ink supply window.

Troubleshooting

If you are unable to check the ink levels, it may mean that your printer is offline or in sleep mode. In this case, go to the printer and turn it on and off to make sure it is ready and available. After this reset, the printer should share information about the remaining ink supply.

Try Windows or Mac methods, the mobile app, or use the printer’s built-in menu system to check ink levels. The controls vary, but if you look through the options, you should find a section called status or supplies, which will display your printer’s current ink level.

Checking the ink level is a good idea, especially before using expensive paper or starting a long print run. When ink runs out mid-print, colors may become inaccurate and gaps may appear in images and text. It’s easy with the mobile app and not too difficult from the computer.

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