Having an inkjet printer at home will save a lot, particularly if we don't make a large number of prints every month (with a standard cartridge we should be able to print 10-15 sheets per month for 4-6 months, depending on the cartridge used). But the ink in the printer may run out when you least expect it: the sheets begin to fade slowly until they appear completely white, especially if we print in black and white.
How to check the ink level of the printer in advance from the PC "> Install a printer on a PC with Windows and solve driver problems
1) Ink level control from Windows
On some printers, ink level control is possible directly from the printer properties, as visible in Windows, without necessarily having to use the dedicated tool included with the printer.
So before installing anything, click on the Start menu at the bottom left, search for the Control Panel and, among the many items, select Hardware and Sound -> Devices and Printers .
Once the new window is open, we right-click on the printer in question and then on the Printer Properties item.
Another window will open and, if the driver allows it, the ink level of the printer will be displayed in one of the tabs offered; the procedure is suitable for any version of Windows still supported (from Windows 7 up to Windows 10).
If we have Windows 10 we can also open the new settings window by looking in the Start Printers menu and opening the item Printers and scanners ; once the window is open, select the desired printer, click on the Manage item and then on the Printer Properties item.
Both methods work particularly well with printers connected via USB, while this possibility is more difficult to offer when the printer is connected via a network (LAN or WiFi).
If we don't see any tabs or menus dedicated to ink levels directly inside Windows, we will have to use the other methods described below to check the level of all the inks.
2) Printer web page
If the printer is connected via an Ethernet cable to the modem / router or via a wireless connection (WiFi), the same printer could offer a configuration menu accessible via any browser (Chrome or Edge), simply enter the IP address of the printer .
In the event that we do not know the IP of the printer, go to the browser on the address 192.168.1.1 (the default one of the modem / router, check that it is the same on our network), log in (by default admin / admin ) and check the IP of the devices connected to the network, so we should find the IP of the printer without too many problems.
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Now that we know the IP of the printer, insert it in the address bar of our favorite browser: if we have not set protections or codes, we should immediately see the control panel offered by the printer, with a menu dedicated to ink levels.
By clicking on the dedicated menu we will also have access to other useful information on the cartridge, its capacity and type (if compatible, regenerated or original).
Obviously the information provided changes according to the type of printer in possession, but by accessing the Web service of the same we can check the ink levels from any PC, with any operating system (therefore also Mac and Linux) without having to worry about installing by force printer management software, which often carry unnecessary programs or which start automatically, slowing down the PC after some time.
3) Dedicated tools from manufacturers
The definitely valid method to check the ink level on any printer is to use the programs offered by the manufacturers together with the device.
In addition to the driver, therefore, we will have to install the management software, which varies from printer to printer.
The tools can be downloaded using one of the following links (we choose based on the printer model in our possession):
- HP
- Epson
- Canon
- Brother
- Lexmark
- Toshiba
- Xerox
We insert the name of the printer or the model number in the fields offered in the support pages, so that we can download the most updated software (together with the driver, in case we have not yet installed the printer).
Now it will be sufficient to turn on the printer and install the tool offered by the manufacturer; at the end we start the program and click on the item or menu that concerns the ink level.
On some printers the ink level will be shown immediately in the tool window.
On other tools or with other printers it may be necessary to open a menu or click on an item ( Ink Levels or Ink Level ) to be able to show how much ink we have before printing blank pages.
The use of the dedicated tool offers greater control over the functionality of the printer, it is no coincidence that it is currently the most suitable method for checking the ink level of the printer from the PC.
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