How to Check Printer Ink Levels

Bought a new printer? You might be wondering how to know if your printer is out of ink or low on toner.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to check printer ink and toner levels on your Windows and Mac computers, along with more detailed instructions for popular printer brands like Canon, HP, Epson, and Brother.

Checking Printer Ink Levels for Windows 10 and 11

If you use a Windows computer, you can follow these simple steps to do a quick check on your printer’s ink levels:

1. For Windows 11 users, from the Desktop, select the Start menu > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. For Windows 10 users, from the Desktop, select the Start menu > Settings > Select Devices.
3. Right-click on the icon of your printer model, then select Printing preferences from the dropdown menu.
4. The printer driver setup window will appear, allowing you to check on your printer’s ink levels.

How to Check Printer Ink Levels for Mac

If you are a Mac user, you can easily check your printer’s remaining ink or toner levels with the following steps:

1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select System Preferences.
3. Click Printers & Scanners, Print & Fax, or Print & Scan
4. Choose your printer.
5. Select Options & Supplies, followed by Supply Levels, to see how much ink or toner is left in your printer.

How to Check Printer Ink Levels for Canon

Wish to know about the different ways to check the ink or toner levels on your Canon printer?

Many Canon printers have a control panel that can display ink and toner levels. To check the current ink or toner levels on your Canon printer’s control panel, turn on your printer and press the Menu button. Next, select Setup, press the OK button, and the setup menu screen will appear. Select the “Display remaining ink level” icon to see how much ink or toner is left.

Alternatively, you can check the ink or toner levels for your Canon printer on your Windows or Mac computer.

For Windows users:

1. Make sure your Canon printer is turned on.
2. Open the printer driver settings window on your computer.
3. Launch the Canon IJ Status Monitor (or Canon IJ XPS Status Monitor). The Canon IJ Status Monitor is an application software that shows the status of your printer, and the progress of printing.
4. On the Maintenance tab of the Canon IJ Status Monitor, click View Printer Status to see the ink levels on your printer. If your ink is running low, there will be a message telling you to prepare a new cartridge.
5. If necessary, click Ink Details to further check on any ink-related information. If there is a warning or error relating to the remaining ink, there will be a notification icon and error message.

For Mac users:

1. Make sure your Canon printer is turned on.
2. Click the Apple icon on the top left of your screen, click System Preferences, and then click Printers & Scanners, Print & Fax, or Print & Scan.
3. elect your printer from the list, click Options & Supplies, and then click the Supplies tab to see how much ink or toner is left.

For more information on checking ink and toner levels for Canon printers, visit Canon’s customer support page.

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How to Check Ink Levels on Your HP Printer

Wondering how to check the ink or toner levels on an HP inkjet or laser printer?

Many HP printers have a control panel that can display ink and toner levels. To check the current ink or toner levels on your HP printer’s control panel, turn on your printer and look for an ink drop icon, a cartridge icon, an Ink Levels menu, or a Toner Level indicator.

Alternatively, you can check the ink or toner levels for your HP printer on your Windows or Mac computer.

For Windows users, make sure your HP printer is turned on, then use any of the following methods to check on the ink or toner levels:

1. Go to HP Smart – Microsoft Store to install the HP Smart app and set up your printer. Your HP printer’s ink or toner levels will display on the home screen.
2. Search Windows for your printer model name and number, click the printer name to open the HP Printer Assistant, then click Estimated Ink Levels. If your printer does not return in the search results, go to HP Software and Driver Downloads to install the software.
3. For HP laser printers, search Windows to find and open the Easy Printer Manager, and then locate “Supplies information,” which will let you know how much toner is left.

For Mac users:

1. Make sure your HP printer is turned on.
2. Click the Apple icon on the top left of your screen, click System Preferences, and then click Printers & Scanners, Print & Fax, or Print & Scan.
3. Select your printer from the list, click Options & Supplies, and then click the Supplies tab to see how much ink or toner is left.

For more information on checking ink and toner levels for HP printers, visit HP’s customer support page.

Shop for HP Ink and Toner Cartridges at the Best Price!

How to Check Ink Levels on an Epson Printer

Not sure how to check the ink or toner levels on an Epson inkjet or laser printer? Follow these steps!

For Windows 10 and 11 users:

1. Make sure your Epson printer is turned on.
2. Double-click the printer shortcut icon on your Windows taskbar to open the printer driver settings window.
3. If there is no printer shortcut, Windows 11 users can open Settings, click on Bluetooth & Devices, and choose Printers & Scanners. For Windows 10, open Settings, and choose Select Devices.
4. Select your Epson printer and click Printing Preferences to open the printer driver settings window.
5. Click the Maintenance tab, followed by the Epson Status Monitor button. You will see a graphic that displays your printer’s remaining ink levels.

Using a different version of Windows? You can refer to the instructions here.

For Mac users:

1. Make sure your Epson printer is turned on.
2. Click the Apple icon on the top left of your screen, click System Preferences, and then click Printers & Scanners, Print & Fax, or Print & Scan.
3. Select your printer from the list, click Options & Supplies, and then click the Supplies tab to see how much ink or toner is left.

Shop for Epson Ink & Toner Cartridges at the Best Price!

How to Check Ink Levels on a Brother Printer

Need to check the ink or toner levels on a Brother inkjet or laser printer?

Many Brother printers have a control panel that can display ink and toner levels. There are different instructions for Brother printers with and without touchscreens, which you can refer to here.

However, it may be easier to check the ink or toner levels for your Brother printer on your Windows or Mac computer.

For Windows users:

1. Make sure your Brother printer is turned on.
2. Double-click the printer shortcut icon on your Windows taskbar to open the Status Monitor. If you do not have the shortcut, follow the instructions here.
3. In the Status Monitor window, you will see a graphic that displays your printer’s remaining ink levels.

For Mac users:

1. Make sure your Brother printer is turned on.
2. Click the Apple icon on the top left of your screen, click System Preferences, and then click Printers & Scanners, Print & Fax, or Print & Scan.
3. Select your printer from the list, click Options & Supplies, and then click the Supplies tab to see how much ink or toner is left.

For more information on checking ink and toner levels on Brother printers, visit Brother’s customer support site.

Shop for Epson Ink & Toner Cartridges at the Best Price!

Need more help to check your printer’s ink or toner levels, as well as order new ink or toner cartridges? Contact our RAM-E team and we will be happy to assist you!