How to properly fill up the Xiaomi printer: instructions with photos and videos

Refueling a Xiaomi printer is a challenge that scares many users from the risk of damaging the print head or pouring ink on the internal machinery, but with the right approach, the procedure takes no more than 20 minutes and saves up to 80% compared to buying a new cartridge. In this article, we will analyze all the stages of refueling for MiJia Laser Printer, Xiaomi Print models. A4 and hybrid devices, and also tell how to avoid errors, because of which the printer stops printing after self-intervention.

The challenge is to choose compatible inks and follow the technology exactly. For example, Xiaomi inkjet printers are only suitable for low-viscosity pigment inks, and laser models require a special toner with fine powder. We tested 5 popular filling kits and found which ones do not clog duzes or cause stripes when printing. Also in this article you will find unique data on the shelf life of the filled cartridges depending on the type of ink, information that manufacturers usually do not.

What Xiaomi printers can be refueled independently

Not all Xiaomi devices are designed to be refueled, such as the Mi Pocket Photo Printer series compact portable printers, which use thermosublimation technology and are not refurbishable, but the following models can be refueled:

• 🖨️ Xiaomi MiJia Laser Printer Pro – laser printer with toner cartridge Xiaomi LY201, filler.
• 🖨️ Xiaomi Print A4 Color is an inkjet printer with a continuous ink delivery system (CNPC), but requires accuracy when refueling.
• 🖨️ Xiaomi Mi Smart Photo Printer is a hybrid model with replaceable ink tanks (not to be confused with thermosublimation tanks!).

Xiaomi laser printers are easier to refuel, because the toner does not dry out or clog the nozzle, but require special equipment to clean the photo drum. Inkjet models are more capricious: if you use low-quality ink, the printed head can fail through 2-3 refueling. Officially, the company does not recommend self-fueling, but service centers offer this service for 30-50% of the cost of a new cartridge.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi printers with chips on cartridges (for example, MiJia Laser Printer) 1C) After refueling, they may show a "Toner is running out" error, and this is solved by resetting the meter through the engineering menu or by firmware chips.

What you need to refuel: tools and consumables

Prepare the following materials before you start, and the quality of the materials will determine whether the printer will print after refueling or whether it will require a head wash.

• 🔧 Syringes with needles - insulin (1-3 ml) are suitable for inkjet printers, 10-20 ml syringes with a thick needle are needed for laser ones.
• 🎨 Ink or toner – only original or certified analogues (e.g. InkTec for inkjet, Katun for laser).
• 🧴 Washing fluid – for inkjet printers (e.g. PrintHead Cleaner).
• 🧤 Gloves and wipes – toner and ink are poorly washed, and some pigments are toxic.
• 🔍 Loop or flashlight – to check the level of ink in the cartridge after refilling.

Laser printers will also require a vacuum cleaner with a thin nozzle (to remove the toner residue) and a screwdriver (to disassemble the cartridge). Inkjet models are often refueled through the top holes without being fully disassembled, but if the ink is out of full, you will have to remove the cartridge cover.

⚠️ Note: Do not use Epson or Canon ink in Xiaomi printers – their chemical composition is different, and this will lead to clogging duz. For inkjet models, only water-based ink with pH 7-8 is suitable.

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Before refueling, test print a high-ink page (such as a photo) to help assess the quality of the printer before and after the procedure.

Step-by-step: how to fill up a Xiaomi inkjet printer

Let’s look at the Xiaomi Print example. A4 Color.The main rule: do not let air enter the cartridge, otherwise the print head will dry out.

1. Remove the cartridges. Turn on the printer, open the lid, and wait until the carriage stops in the center. Gently get the cartridges out without touching the contacts and duz.
2. Plug the tape on the duzes (unless the cartridge is completely empty) so that the ink doesn't leak out when refueling.
3. Find the filling holes. Xiaomi cartridges have them on top of the sticker, pierce it with a needle or cut it neatly with a knife.
4. Fill the ink: 🖊️ For black cartridge use a syringe of 10 ml, for colored - 5 ml for each color. 📉 Inject the ink slowly, 1-2 ml at a time, so as not to create excessive pressure. 🔄 After filling, wet the holes with a napkin and seal them with tape.

Put the cartridges back in.

Settings → Service → Duze testing

If you have a lane or a gap after filling, do a deep cleaning of the head through the printer software.

1. Connect the printer to the PC through USB or wifi.
2. Open Xiaomi Print Center (you can download it on the official website).
3. Go to the Tools. → Clean the print head and start the process 2-3 times.

Make sure the cartridges are not empty (residue of ink) >10%|

Buy ink with a compatible composition (pH 7–8)|

Prepare syringes, gloves and napkins|

Take a photo of the cartridges before extraction|

Check the temperature of the ink (optimally 20–25)°C)|-->

Refueling laser printer Xiaomi: features and nuances

Xiaomi MiJia laser printers use toner and photoreel cartridges, which are more difficult to refuel, but with the right approach, the cartridge lasts up to 5 cycles, the main danger is damage to the photoreel or magnetic shaft, which will lead to vertical stripes on the print.

The gas station algorithm:

1. Remove the cartridge from the printer by turning it off. Shake the cartridge several times so that the toner is evenly distributed.
2. Remove the side cover. On Xiaomi cartridges LY201 It's mounted on the latches. Use a flat screwdriver to squeeze them out carefully.
3. Remove the toner residues with a vacuum cleaner. Don't blow with your mouth - toner particles are harmful to the lungs!
4. Pour the new toner through the hole at the top of the cartridge.MiJia Laser Printer Pro will require ~100 grams of toner. Use the funnel so you don't wake up.
5. Check the photo drum. It should be clean, scratch-free. Rub it with a lilac-free napkin soaked in isopropyl alcohol.
6. So, you can assemble the cartridge and set it back up. Turn on the printer and print out the test page.

If the printer doesn't recognize Toner after refueling, you'll need to reset the meter.

• 🔧 Download the Xiaomi Printer Reset Tool (available on the forums) 4PDA).
• 🖥️ Connect the printer to the PC by USB.
• 📥 In the utility, select the printer model and press Reset Chip.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that cause the printer to break down.

• 🚫 Ink overflow: if you fill in more than normal, the ink will flow inside the printer and pour the PCB. Optimal volume for Xiaomi inkjet cartridges: black 8-10 ml, color 4-5 ml for each color.
• 🚫 Using incompatible inks -- for example, dyes instead of pigment inks for documentation -- this leads to clogging of duz and blurry texts.
• 🚫 Refueling with the printer on - the carriage can move and damage the cartridge. Always turn the device off the socket!
• 🚫 Ignoring cleaning of the head – if after refueling do not make a test print, the ink will dry in the nozzles.

Another common problem is the air traffic jams in the cartridge, which occur when you refuel too fast or use a syringe with a wide needle to eliminate the traffic jam.

1. Place the cartridge with duzes down on the napkin.
2. Then, put your finger on it (not your finger).
3. If the ink does not flow - carefully clean the hole with a thin needle.

⚠️ Note: If after refueling the printer Xiaomi Print A4 It starts buzzing and doesn't type, and it's likely that the ink got on the encoder tape, the risk strip to the right of the carriage, and clean it with a cotton swab dipped in distilled water.

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The most common cause of refill breakdowns is the use of ink with inadequate surface tension, which should be between 30 and 40 mN/m for Xiaomi printers.

How to prolong the life of the cartridge after refueling

A refueled cartridge will last longer if you follow several rules:

• 📅 Print regularly, at least once every 2 weeks. If the printer is idle, the ink in the duses dries up.
• 🌡️ Store the cartridges at room temperature (15–25)°C. Avoid direct sunlight.
• 💧 Use the function of cleaning the head before the important seal (but no more than 1 time a week, so as not to wear out the mechanism).
• 🔄 Alternate printing types – after a document with fine text, print a color image so that the ink is evenly distributed.

For Xiaomi laser cartridges, it's important to monitor the condition of the photo drum, which has a lifespan of about 10,000 pages, and if you print gray stripes or dots, the drum is worn out and needs to be replaced.

• Use of high quality toner (e.g. Katun or LD Products).
• Avoid printing on thick paper (more than 120 g/m2).
• Clean the drum with a soft brush after each 3rd refill.

Average service life of a refueled cartridge:

Alternatives to refueling: CNHR and original cartridges

If you are afraid of the risk of damaging the printer when refueling, consider alternative options:

• 🔄 Continuous Ink Supply System (CNPC) – Suitable for Xiaomi Print inkjet printers A4. Cost of kit ~2500 ₽, But ink is 5 to 10 times cheaper than the original cartridges.
• 🆕 Xiaomi's original cartridges are a reliable but expensive option, such as a set of ink for the Mi Smart Photo Printer. ~2000 ₽ (enough for 100 photos).
• ♻ Reloaded cartridges – many service centers offer this service with a guarantee. Price: 30-50% of the cost of a new cartridge.

CNHR is beneficial if you print a lot (over 500 pages per month); it is cheaper to refill cartridges yourself or buy refilled ones for home use; original cartridges are only justified when printing high-quality photos where color reproduction is important.

When choosing a CNHR for Xiaomi, pay attention to:

• 🔌 Compatible with the printer model – not all systems are suitable for Print A4.
• 🎨 Type of ink – 6-8 colors are needed for photo printing, 4 are enough for documents (CMYK).
• 📦 Volume of tanks - minimum recommended volume of 100 ml per color.

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If you're staying on an CNHR, buy a system that automatically zeros the ink level. Some models (e.g. InkTec) S2) They can drop the ink counter in Xiaomi printers without manual intervention.

FAQ: Frequent questions about refueling Xiaomi printers