Third-party status
WorksRemanufactured cartridges print with ink-level detection off
Yes, with a catch. Canon lets you keep printing when a cartridge reads as empty by holding Stop for 5 seconds to turn off ink-level detection, and remanufactured PG-275/CL-276 sellers say their cartridges work that way. You lose ink-level readings for that cartridge.
What to do now
- When a remanufactured or refilled cartridge reads empty (support code 1686 / LCD E13), hold Stop for at least 5 seconds to turn off ink-level detection and keep printing.[2][3]Ink levels are no longer shown for that cartridge. Print quality may drop when little ink remains. Canon says it is not liable for problems from printing under an ink-out condition.
What to buy instead
- Genuine Canon PG-275 / CL-276. Always recognized, with ink levels.
- Remanufactured PG-275XL / CL-276XL. Often works with the ink-level override. Pick a seller with a return policy.
- Account required
- No
- Cartridges
- Canon PG-275 / CL-276 (also PG-275XL / CL-276XL)
- Blocking firmware
- None reported
- Last checked
Also applies to: PIXMA TS3522, TS3720, TS3722, TR4720 and TR4722 take the same PG-275/CL-276 FINE cartridges (Canon InkID / seller lists).
Third-party and remanufactured cartridges
- Canon's TS3500-series InkID page lists PG-275, PG-275XL, CL-276 and CL-276XL for this machine and recommends genuine Canon ink.[1]
- Canon support article ART180349 (covers TR4720, TR4722, TS3320 and TS3520; dated Apr 14, 2026) says support code 1686 means a color cartridge may have run out. To keep printing or copying, hold Stop for at least 5 seconds to disable ink-level detection, or replace the cartridge. Canon recommends new genuine cartridges.[2]
- The same 1686 hold-Stop override appears in Canon's online TS3500-series error manual.[3]
- Castle Ink, a remanufactured-ink seller (guide last updated Nov 2, 2026), says the TS3520 uses PG-275/CL-276 (not the older PG-245/CL-246), sells remanufactured 275/276 cartridges for it, and says support codes 1686/1688 are cleared by holding Stop for five seconds with ink-level monitoring left off afterward.[4]
- On r/printers (May 2022), owners discussing the nearly identical TS3522 asked about third-party PG-275/CL-276. Commenters said the FINE cartridge includes the print head and that options are remanufactured/refilled cartridges or DIY bottle refills, not a separate bare print head.[5]
Canon account and subscriptions
- We found no Canon requirement for an account or subscription to print on the TS3520. Canon's 1686 steps are local button presses on the printer.[2][3]
Firmware that blocked cartridges
- Canon's TS3500-series error pages describe recognition and out-of-ink errors only. We found no source tying a TS3520 firmware update to a cartridge lockout that blocks remanufactured ink.[3][6]
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
- When a remanufactured or refilled cartridge reads empty (support code 1686 / LCD E13), hold Stop for at least 5 seconds to turn off ink-level detection and keep printing.[2][3] Ink levels are no longer shown for that cartridge. Print quality may drop when little ink remains. Canon says it is not liable for problems from printing under an ink-out condition.
What does not reliably work
- Support code 1684 (LCD E14) means the cartridge cannot be recognized at all. Canon's fix is to install an appropriate / compatible cartridge; the Stop override is for cartridges read as empty, not unrecognized ones.[6]
- PG-245/CL-246 from older PIXMA models do not fit the TS3520. Canon moved this line to the 275/276 family.[1][4]
What to buy instead
- Genuine Canon PG-275 / CL-276. Always recognized, with ink levels. Shop
- Remanufactured PG-275XL / CL-276XL. Often works with the ink-level override. Pick a seller with a return policy. Shop
These are plain store links. We earn nothing from them today. Disclosure.
What we could not verify
- A dated 2026 owner lab test of remanufactured PG-275/CL-276 on the TS3520's current firmware.
- Whether any Canon firmware has changed how the TS3520 reads third-party chips since the Apr 2026 support article.
- Long-term print-head wear when using remanufactured or bottle-refilled FINE cartridges (the head is part of the cartridge).
- Whether Canon's warranty would cover damage Canon attributes to third-party ink.
Know something we missed? Dated sources beat opinions. Corrections go on the page with a date.
Get an email when the Canon PIXMA TS3520's status changes
One short email when a firmware update blocks cartridges, or a block gets lifted. No spam, no daily digest.
The email list is not live yet. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Sources
- Canon online manual (TS3500 series): ink model numbers (PG-275 / CL-276) (read Nov 4, 2026)
- Canon support: support code 1686 (TR4720 / TR4722 / TS3320 / TS3520) (published Apr 14, 2026)
- Canon online manual (TS3500 series): support code 1686 (read Nov 4, 2026)
- Castle Ink (seller): What ink does the Canon PIXMA TS3520 use? (published Nov 2, 2026)
- r/printers: Is it safe to use 3rd party ink for Canon's PIXMA TS3522? (published May 19, 2022)
- Canon online manual (TS3500 series): support code 1684 (cartridge not recognized) (read Nov 4, 2026)