Xiaomi Mijia Printer Refueling: Full Instruction with Life Hacks and Warnings

Xiaomi Mijia printers have gained popularity due to their compactness, affordable price and high quality printing. However, many users face the dilemma of buying original cartridges (which cost almost as much as the printer itself) or risk filling them yourself.

In this article, we will look at all the nuances of the process, from the choice of ink to step-by-step instructions with a photo, and also tell you what errors most often lead to a printer failure. You will learn how to save on consumables without compromising the quality of the print, and what to do if after refueling Xiaomi Mijia stopped recognizing the cartridge.

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1.What cartridges does Xiaomi Mijia use and can they be refilled?

Xiaomi Mijia Photo Printer printers (L510, L511, L513) are equipped with integrated cartridges with chips that are not theoretically designed for refueling. The manufacturer insists on buying original consumables, but in practice users successfully refuel them 3-5 times without loss of quality.

Here’s what you need to know about cartridges:

• 🔹 Type of ink: pigmented (for model) L510) or coloring (for the purposes of L511/L513). Filling with pigment ink in a cartridge for coloring (and vice versa) will lead to clogs of the printing head!
• 🔹 Volume: Original cartridges are designed for ~100–150 photo-format 10×15 See, after refueling, this indicator may decrease to 80–120 snapshot.
• 🔹 Chip: Xiaomi cartridges have an ink level counter, and after refueling it will have to be reset software (more on this below).

⚠️ If your Mijia printer is making a mistake E02 (Cartridge malfunction after refueling, it doesn't always mean that it's broken, and most often, the problem is solved by resetting the chip or cleaning the contacts.

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2. What ink is suitable for refilling?

The choice of ink is the most critical stage. Cheap analogues can clog the print head or give an uneven color.

🔍 Before buying ink, check their composition for glycerol and surfactants.The optimal ratio for Xiaomi Mijia:

• 💧 Glycerin: 5-10%
• 💧 PAV: Up to 3:00%
• 💧 pH: 7.5–9.0

Ink with other parameters can cause thickening or corrosion of the print head.

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3. Step-by-step instructions: how to fill up the Xiaomi Mijia cartridge

You will need to work:

• 🔧 Syringe with a needle (5-10 ml)
• 🔧 Rubber gloves and napkins
• 🔧 Scotch or tape
• 🔧 Mijia Printer Tool (for chip resetting)

⚠️ Warning: Fill the cartridge at a temperature of 20-25°C. Cold inks can form bubbles, and too warm inks can leak.

Step 1: Removal of the cartridge

1. Turn on the printer and open the lid.
2. Wait until the cartridge carriage moves to the center.
3. Carefully press the lock and get the cartridge.

Step 2: Preparation for refueling

• 📌 Close the cartridge vent with tape (so that the ink does not leak out when heated).
• 📌 Mark the syringe with labels to control the volume.

Step 3: Refueling

• 🖊️ Insert the needle into the filling hole (usually closed with a rubber plug).
• 🖊️ Slowly enter the ink, avoiding overflow. Optimal volume - 8-10 ml.
• 🖊️ After refueling, wipe the cartridge with a napkin and remove the scotch from the hole.

Make sure there is no ink on the contacts | Check the tightness of the cork |Reset the ink counter in the program | Test the printing on the draft sheet-->

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4.How to reset the cartridge chip after refueling?

Without chip reset, the Xiaomi Mijia printer will show an empty cartridge even if it's filled. There are two ways to reset the meter:

Method 1: Mijia Printer Tool

1. Download the utility with 4PDA (section "Xiaomi Printers").
2. Connect the printer to the PC via USB.
3. Select your device model and press Reset Chip.

Method 2: Manual reset (for advanced)

1. Disconnect the printer from the network.


2. Press the power button for 10 seconds.




3. Connect the USB- cable to the PC and hold the button for another 5 seconds.




4. Release the button and the chip will reset automatically.

⚠️ Note: After resetting the chip, the printer may require calibration. To do this, select Settings from the printer menu. → Calibration of the cartridge.

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5 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to breakdown.-5 problems and solutions:

🔴 Error: Ink leaks inside the printer

⚠️ Reason: Ink overflow or sealing gum damage Solution: Wipe the printer's insides with an alcohol napkin and check the cartridge's tightness.

🔴 Mistake: Stripes in photos

• 🔹 The print head clogged. → Start cleaning in the printer menu (Settings) → Cleanup).
• 🔹 Poor quality ink → Replace them with pigmented (for the purpose of L510) or coloring (for the purposes of L511/L513).

🔴 Mistake: Printer can't see the cartridge

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6. Alternative ways of saving on printing

If refueling seems too risky, consider these options:

• 🖨️ Continuous ink supply system (CNPC): suitable for models L511 and L513. Cost of installation — ~1500 ₽, But ink is 5 times cheaper.
• 🖨️ Buying compatible cartridges: Katun brands or LD Products offer analogues to chips that the printer recognizes as original.
• 🖨️ Printing in economical mode: in the printer settings (Print quality) → Cost-effective ink consumption decreases by 30%.

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If you type rarely (less than 1 time per week), before each printing, start the function of Cleaning the print head in the printer menu.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The main rule of refueling Xiaomi Mijia: use only compatible ink and reset the chip after each refill. This will extend the life of the printer by 2-3 years even when used actively.