The Canon PIXMA MG5220 uses two different black ink tanks: PGI-225PGBK, a pigment-black tank for ordinary text and documents, and CLI-226BK, a dye-black tank used in the printer’s six-tank color system. If you need the black cartridge most people mean for letters, forms, and reports, search for Canon PGI-225 black ink for MG5220. Check the number shown on the printer before ordering, because a listing that says only “Canon black ink” may refer to the other black tank.
The two black cartridges that fit a Canon MG5220
Canon’s cartridge documentation identifies the MG5220 black tanks as PGI-225PGBK and CLI-226BK. They are not interchangeable versions of the same cartridge. Each has a different ink formulation and serves a different role in the six-tank system.
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| Cartridge | Ink type | Best-known use | What to order |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGI-225PGBK (often shortened to PGI-225 BK) | Pigment black | Document text, forms and other black-only pages; designed for crisp, smudge-resistant text | A PGI-225PGBK tank marked compatible with PIXMA MG5220 |
| CLI-226BK | Dye black | The second black channel in the six-tank system, used with the color inks for image and mixed-color output | A CLI-226BK tank marked compatible with PIXMA MG5220 |
Canon’s PGI-225 product description calls it a large-capacity pigment tank and promises “crisp, smudge-resistant professional quality text.” Canon’s CLI-226 listing separately names the MG5220 as a compatible model. A package containing one black SKU does not replace the other.
Why the MG5220 has two blacks
The printer also accepts CLI-226C cyan, CLI-226M magenta and CLI-226Y yellow. Keeping pigment black separate from dye black lets the printer use a dense, sharp black for plain paper while retaining a dye-based black channel for photographs and color blends. The result is a six-tank arrangement: one pigment tank, one dye-black tank and three color tanks, plus the printer’s individual ink monitoring for each position.
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That design explains a common mistake. A buyer sees “black” on both packages and assumes either one will work for every job. The printer instead checks the cartridge position and electronic identification. Installing CLI-226BK where PGI-225PGBK belongs, or the reverse, will not give you a substitute black supply.
How to identify the empty black tank
Use the MG5220’s on-screen warning as the first check. When the printer reports an empty or nearly empty tank, note the exact cartridge code displayed. The code tells you whether to buy PGI-225PGBK or CLI-226BK; the word “black” by itself does not.
- Turn on the MG5220 and wait for the ink warning or maintenance message to finish appearing.
- Read the cartridge number on the display. Record PGI-225PGBK or CLI-226BK exactly, including the letters and numbers.
- If the message is no longer visible, open the printer and compare the label on the installed tank with the two codes. Do not remove a tank merely to guess its identity; use the printed label and the position marking.
- Match the complete code on the replacement listing. “Canon black ink for MG5220” is incomplete until the listing specifies one of those two SKUs.
Canon’s own compatibility wording for PGI-225 includes “For use with Canon iP4820, MG5220, MG5120, MG8120, MX882, iX6520, iP4920, MG5320, MG6220, MG8220, MX892.” The CLI-226 page gives the same model family and also names MG5220. Model compatibility and the exact black SKU are both necessary checks.
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Buying the correct replacement
Genuine Canon tank
A genuine tank is identified by the Canon packaging and the exact PGI-225PGBK or CLI-226BK code. It is the lowest-risk choice when the printer must recognize the cartridge immediately or when consistent text density matters. Verify the seller, package condition and return policy, because the MG5220 is an older model.
Third-party or refilled tank
Compatible and refilled tanks can cost less, but recognition, ink-level reporting, sealing quality and page-to-page consistency vary by supplier. A cartridge that physically fits can still trigger an error or produce poor output. Look for a listing that explicitly names MG5220 and the complete cartridge number, not a generic “225/226 black” description.
Single packs and twin packs
A PGI-225 twin pack contains two PGI-225 tanks. It does not contain one PGI-225PGBK and one CLI-226BK, and it cannot refill both black positions. Buy a CLI-226BK separately if that is the code shown by the printer. The same rule applies when a seller bundles multiple cartridges: count the exact SKUs, not just the number of boxes.
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| Purchase check | What it confirms |
|---|---|
| Exact code printed in the title and specifications | PGI-225PGBK and CLI-226BK are different products |
| MG5220 appears in the compatibility list | The supplier claims model support, rather than only physical similarity |
| Seller identity and sealed packaging | Reduces the chance of old, opened or misidentified stock |
| Pack contents | Confirms whether you are receiving one tank, a PGI-225 twin pack or a mixed set |
| Price and current stock | Not stated by Canon’s specifications; verify at the time and in the region where you buy |
Replacing a black tank in the MG5220
Use the cartridge number from the printer before starting. The following procedure follows the MG5220’s normal front-access replacement sequence.
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- Open the paper output tray, then lift the scanning unit or inner cover to expose the ink tanks. Wait for the holder to stop at the replacement position.
- Press the tab on the empty tank and lift it out. Set it aside for recycling; do not force a tank that is still locked.
- Unpack the replacement with dry hands. Remove the orange protective film or cap exactly as shown on the package, without touching the electrical contacts or ink outlet.
- Place the new tank into the matching color-and-code position. Seat the front edge first, then press down until the locking tab clicks.
- Close the inner cover and scanning unit. The printer may run a short initialization or cleaning cycle; allow it to finish before sending a document.
- Print a nozzle check or a small test page. If text is streaked, use the printer’s cleaning command once, then recheck rather than repeatedly cleaning and wasting ink.
Never install a tank with its protective seal still covering the outlet, and never swap the positions of the two black cartridges. If the warning remains after installation, switch the printer off normally, reseat the tank and confirm that the code on the package matches the code requested on-screen.
Using black-only printing without making promises the printer cannot keep
Canon’s Windows guidance for compatible PIXMA models includes a choice between Black Only and Both Black and Color. In the printer driver, open the MG5220’s printing preferences, locate the color or ink-use section, and select Black Only when you want to reduce color consumption. The exact tab name can vary with the Windows version and installed driver.
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Black Only is a consumption preference, not a guarantee that every print job will run with an empty cartridge. The printer can still require a functioning color tank for maintenance, head protection or particular page settings. If the driver refuses the job, install a usable replacement and follow the on-screen instruction rather than repeatedly overriding warnings.
Specifications that put the black system in context
| Specification | Canon-listed value | What it means for an owner |
|---|---|---|
| Black print speed | Approximately 11.0 ipm | Canon’s rated black-page speed under its stated test conditions; real documents can be slower |
| Black nozzles | 512 | The printer uses a dedicated black nozzle array for text output |
| Maximum black resolution | 600 × 600 dpi | Applies to black printing; it is not a page-yield promise |
| Black tank system | PGI-225PGBK plus CLI-226BK | Both codes must be kept distinct when ordering |
These figures come from Canon’s current support specifications. They describe the printer, not the expected number of pages from a particular replacement tank. Coverage, paper, cleaning cycles and the amount of text on each page all affect consumption.
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Troubleshooting black-ink problems
The new cartridge is rejected
Recheck the complete code first. A PGI-225PGBK warning requires PGI-225PGBK; CLI-226BK is not a substitute. Remove and reinstall the tank so the locking tab clicks, and make sure no protective strip remains. If the error follows one cartridge while another correctly identified tank works, the replacement may be defective or its electronic contacts may be contaminated.
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Text is faint, streaked or missing
Print a nozzle check to determine whether the defect is limited to one black channel. If the pattern has gaps, run the normal cleaning cycle once and test again. Persistent gaps can indicate an air problem, a clogged print head or an exhausted tank; repeated deep cleaning consumes ink and is not a cure for a damaged head.
Black pages use color ink
Review the driver’s color mode and choose Black Only when available. Some documents contain colored elements, antialiasing or embedded graphics that force color use. The setting can reduce color consumption but cannot turn every file into a strictly pigment-black job.
The printer still says the tank is empty
Confirm that the tank is in the correct position and that its chip is seated against the contacts. A refilled or third-party tank may not report levels accurately. If the printer offers an ink-level override, understand that the remaining-ink estimate will no longer be reliable and monitor print quality closely to avoid running the print head dry.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsAvailability for a retired printer
Canon’s U.S. support page marks the PIXMA MG5220 as retired and states that product support is no longer available. The page shows no current driver or content updates. That status does not change the cartridge numbers, but it means new retail supply can depend on remaining inventory and regional sellers. Check the manufacturing or best-before information, package seals and return terms before buying older stock.
Store an unopened tank sealed, upright and away from heat and direct sunlight. Install it promptly after opening. If you plan to keep the MG5220 in service, buying the exact cartridge you need rather than a generic black multipack reduces the chance of ending up with the wrong SKU when stock becomes harder to find.
A practical ordering checklist
- Read the printer’s warning and write down PGI-225PGBK or CLI-226BK.
- Confirm that the product page explicitly lists PIXMA MG5220 compatibility.
- Check whether the package is a single tank, a PGI-225 twin pack or a mixed bundle.
- Verify the seller, seal, return policy and regional stock.
- After installation, run a nozzle check before printing a long document.
For ordinary black documents, the direct answer remains PGI-225PGBK. CLI-226BK is the second, dye-based black tank and must be purchased when the MG5220 identifies that channel. Matching the exact code is the reliable way to keep this retired six-tank printer printing.
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