Third-party status
UnknownChipped ink tanks; no dated lockout report found
The TR8620a uses separate chipped PGI-280/CLI-281 tanks. A seller warns Canon updates can make some printers reject compatibles, but we found no dated report for this model: Unknown.
What to do now
- Turn off firmware update notifications so a setup that works is not changed. Inktweb gives the path: Settings, Device settings, Firmware update, Update notification settings, No.[3]Seller guide, not Canon. Menus vary by model.
- If a compatible tank reads empty, touch Stop for 5 seconds or more to turn off ink-level detection.[2]Ink levels are no longer shown for that cartridge. Print quality may suffer.
What to buy instead
- Genuine Canon PGI-280 / CLI-281. Always recognized.
- Compatible PGI-280 / CLI-281 with a firmware return policy. Ask what happens if an update rejects them.
- Account required
- No
- Cartridges
- Canon PGI-280 / CLI-281 ink tanks
- Blocking firmware
- None reported
- Last checked
Also applies to: Other PIXMA TR8600 series models (same ink tanks, same manual).
Third-party and remanufactured cartridges
- Canon lists PGI-280 and CLI-281 ink tanks (standard, XL and XXL) for the TR8600 series and recommends genuine ink.[1]
- Canon says that when ink is reported as run out, touching Stop for at least 5 seconds turns off ink-level detection.[2]
- Inktweb, a Dutch seller, warned in 2023 that Canon firmware updates can stop some printers accepting compatible cartridges.[3]
Canon account and subscriptions
- We found no Canon requirement for an account or subscription to print.[2]
Firmware that blocked cartridges
- We found no firmware version tied to a TR8620a block. Inktweb's staff said in January 2026 that Canon firmware cannot be rolled back.[3]
To see your version, print a printer status report or open the printer's web page. Compare it with the firmware list.
Workarounds that sources back up
- Turn off firmware update notifications so a setup that works is not changed. Inktweb gives the path: Settings, Device settings, Firmware update, Update notification settings, No.[3] Seller guide, not Canon. Menus vary by model.
- If a compatible tank reads empty, touch Stop for 5 seconds or more to turn off ink-level detection.[2] Ink levels are no longer shown for that cartridge. Print quality may suffer.
What does not reliably work
- Rolling back Canon firmware: the seller says it is not possible.[3]
What to buy instead
- Genuine Canon PGI-280 / CLI-281. Always recognized. Shop
- Compatible PGI-280 / CLI-281 with a firmware return policy. Ask what happens if an update rejects them. Shop
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What we could not verify
- Any dated owner report of compatible tanks working or failing in the TR8620a.
- Whether Canon has shipped a TR8600 update that changes chip checks.
- Canon's own TR8600 menu path for update notifications.
Know something we missed? Dated sources beat opinions. Corrections go on the page with a date.
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Sources
- Canon online manual (TR8600 series): ink numbers (read Oct 21, 2026)
- Canon online manual (TR8600 series): support code 1688 (read Oct 21, 2026)
- Inktweb.nl (ink seller, Dutch): turning off printer firmware updates (published Sep 11, 2023)