Printers are essential tools for both home and office use, but few things are as frustrating as running out of ink in the middle of an important document. Luckily, Windows 11 makes it easy to check your printer’s ink or toner levels — whether you’re using HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, or any other popular brand.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to check printer ink levels on Windows 11, step by step. You’ll also learn why your printer might not show ink levels, how to fix detection issues, and tips to extend your cartridge life.
🧭 Quick Summary: Key Takeaways
| Step | Action | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners | Windows Settings |
| 2 | Select your printer | Device list |
| 3 | View Printer properties / Manage | Printer details page |
| 4 | Check ink or toner status | Printer utility or manufacturer app |
| 5 | Use manufacturer software (HP Smart, Epson Status Monitor, etc.) | Brand apps |
✅ Works for HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, and Lexmark printers
✅ Applies to both inkjet and laser printers
✅ Requires the printer to be connected and recognized by Windows
Why Check Printer Ink Levels in Windows 11?
Before you print, it’s smart to make sure your cartridges have enough ink or toner. Here’s why this simple habit matters:
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🖨 Avoid print interruptions – No more half-printed pages.
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💰 Save money – Replace cartridges only when necessary.
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🌿 Reduce waste – Extend cartridge life by managing usage efficiently.
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📄 Improve print quality – Low ink can cause faded or streaky prints.
Whether you’re preparing a school report or professional presentation, knowing how to check ink levels saves you time and frustration.
🧩 Understanding How Printer Ink Level Detection Works
Windows 11 communicates with your printer through drivers. These drivers report ink or toner data to the operating system.
However, not all printers send ink level data to Windows — some require manufacturer apps. So, depending on your printer brand, your method may vary.
Here’s a quick overview:
| Printer Brand | Ink Level Detection Method |
|---|---|
| HP | HP Smart App or Control Panel |
| Canon | Canon IJ Utility |
| Epson | Epson Status Monitor |
| Brother | Brother Utilities |
| Lexmark | Lexmark Print Management |
🧰 Method 1: Check Ink Levels Using Windows 11 Settings
This is the simplest method if your printer supports native ink reporting.
Steps:
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Press
Windows + Ito open Settings. -
Navigate to Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
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Locate your connected printer from the list and click it.
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Select “Manage” or “Printer properties.”
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Under the Services or Maintenance tab, you may find ink or toner levels displayed.
💡 Note: The exact appearance varies by brand. Some printers will show an ink status bar or a link to the manufacturer’s utility app.
🖨 Method 2: Use the Printer’s Control Panel (On the Device Itself)
Many modern printers have a built-in screen or LCD panel that shows ink levels.
To check ink levels directly on your printer:
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Power on your printer.
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On the printer display, open the Setup or Maintenance menu.
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Navigate to Ink Levels / Supplies / Status.
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View the remaining ink or toner levels visually.
This method works even if your printer isn’t currently connected to Windows.
💻 Method 3: Check Ink Levels with Manufacturer Software
If Windows doesn’t display ink data, you can use the official printer app. These apps often give detailed cartridge information, including estimated page yield.
Popular Printer Utilities:
| Printer Brand | Software/App | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| HP | HP Smart | HP Smart App |
| Canon | Canon IJ Printer Utility | Canon Support |
| Epson | Epson Status Monitor | Epson Connect |
| Brother | Brother Utilities | Brother Support |
| Lexmark | Lexmark Print Management | Lexmark Support |
Steps to Check Ink Levels Using HP Smart (Example):
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Download and install the HP Smart app from the Microsoft Store.
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Open the app and sign in or skip login.
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Add your printer (make sure it’s powered on and connected).
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On the home dashboard, you’ll see ink or toner levels represented by colored bars.
💡 Tip: The app can also notify you when ink is low or order replacement cartridges automatically.
🧾 Method 4: Check Ink Levels Using the Printer Software on Desktop
If you’ve installed the full driver package, you can access the printer maintenance utility directly from your PC.
Steps:
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Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
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Right-click your printer → select Printing preferences or Properties.
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Click the Maintenance / Services / Status Monitor tab.
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You’ll see detailed information about ink or toner levels and cartridge status.
🔍 Method 5: Use the Print Queue Dialog
When you print a document, a print queue window opens briefly. Some printers display ink or toner levels right in that window.
Steps:
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Print any test document.
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When the Print Queue opens, look for an ink/toner level indicator at the bottom or side panel.
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Click Printer → Properties for more details.
🧠 Method 6: Use Third-Party Tools (Optional)
If your printer doesn’t support ink level monitoring through Windows, third-party utilities can help.
Examples:
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InkSaver – Estimates ink usage and saves print costs.
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PrintStatus – Displays printer statistics including ink levels.
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PaperCut Print Logger – Ideal for managing multiple printers in an office.
⚠️ Caution: Only download tools from trusted websites to avoid malware.
🧩 Why You Can’t See Ink Levels on Windows 11 (And How to Fix It)
Sometimes, the ink level option may not appear. Here’s why — and how to fix it.
| Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| Printer driver is outdated | Update or reinstall the driver |
| Printer not connected properly | Reconnect via USB or Wi-Fi |
| Missing manufacturer utility | Install HP Smart, Canon IJ, etc. |
| Ink cartridges not genuine | Use compatible or original cartridges |
| Communication error | Restart printer and PC |
How to Update Printer Drivers:
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Press Windows + X → Device Manager.
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Expand Print queues or Printers.
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Right-click your printer → Update driver.
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Choose Search automatically for drivers.
💡 If Windows can’t find one, download the latest driver from your printer brand’s official website.
🧩 Bonus Tip: Check Ink Levels from Your Browser (For Wi-Fi Printers)
If your printer has a built-in web server:
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Find your printer’s IP address (from Settings → Printers → Properties).
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Enter it into your browser (e.g.,
http://192.168.1.50). -
Open the Status / Supplies / Ink page.
You’ll see real-time ink or toner data, even from another device on the same network.
🧴 Tips to Extend Ink Cartridge Life
Want to make your ink last longer? Try these easy strategies:
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🖋 Use Draft Mode – Print internal documents with less ink.
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🕓 Print Regularly – Prevents ink from drying out.
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🎨 Avoid unnecessary color printing – Use grayscale for text.
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🧼 Clean print heads occasionally – Keeps ink flowing properly.
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🧃 Store cartridges upright – Avoids leaks and air bubbles.
🧾 Troubleshooting: Printer Shows “Ink Levels Unavailable”
If you see this error:
Try the following:
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Restart both your printer and PC.
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Reconnect your printer via USB or Wi-Fi.
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Reinstall the manufacturer’s driver.
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Ensure cartridges are properly seated.
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Check that your printer is set as default in Windows.
If the issue persists, your printer might not support ink level reporting to Windows.
🧭 Comparison Table: Windows vs Manufacturer App Ink Detection
| Method | Accuracy | Ease of Use | Works Offline? | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Settings | Moderate | Easy | Yes | General users |
| Manufacturer App | High | Very Easy | Yes | All users |
| Printer LCD Panel | High | Easy | Yes | Any printer with display |
| Web Interface | High | Moderate | No | Network printers |
| Third-Party Tools | Variable | Moderate | Yes | Advanced users |
🧩 How Often Should You Check Ink Levels?
It depends on your usage. For heavy users (daily printing), check weekly. For casual home users, once a month is enough.
You can also set notifications in HP Smart or Epson utilities to automatically alert you when ink runs low.
🧠 Pro Tip: Enable Ink Level Notifications in Windows
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Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
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Right-click your printer → Printer properties.
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Go to the Maintenance tab.
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Enable Status Monitor / Ink Alerts.
This ensures Windows notifies you when ink is running out.
🎯 Conclusion: Manage Your Printer Ink Smartly on Windows 11
Checking your printer’s ink or toner levels in Windows 11 is simple once you know where to look. You can use Settings, the printer’s control panel, or manufacturer software like HP Smart or Canon IJ Utility.
Keeping tabs on your ink levels helps prevent print interruptions, maintain print quality, and save money in the long run.
💡 Pro Tip: Set reminders to check ink monthly and use genuine cartridges for accurate readings and better results.
❓ FAQs About Checking Printer Ink Levels on Windows 11
1. How do I check my HP printer ink levels on Windows 11?
Use the HP Smart app or go to Settings → Printers & scanners → Manage → view ink levels.
2. Why can’t I see ink levels in Windows 11?
You may need to install your printer’s official driver or manufacturer utility for proper detection.
3. Can I check ink levels without the printer connected?
Only if your printer supports Wi-Fi and cloud monitoring, like HP Smart printers.
4. How can I tell if my toner is low on a laser printer?
Use the printer’s control panel or manufacturer app — laser printers display toner percentage or warning lights.
5. Do third-party cartridges show ink levels?
Some do, but many generic cartridges don’t communicate ink data to Windows or your printer software.
✅ Key Takeaway:
To check ink levels on Windows 11, go to Settings → Printers & scanners → Manage, or use your manufacturer’s app for the most accurate reading.