How to Monitor Printer Ink Levels on a Windows Computer

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Find out how much ink is left in your printer with these easy steps

Co-authored by Mitch Harris and Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: March 19, 2026 Fact Checked

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• HP
|
• Epson
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• Brother
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• Canon & Dell
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• Video
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• Tips

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If certain colors in your print jobs aren't printing correctly, you're probably low on ink. Most modern printers let you monitor ink levels on your computer using the manufacturer's printing app, while others have indicators or gauges on the front panel that alert you to low ink. This wikiHow teaches you how to check how much ink you have left in your HP, Epson, Brother, Canon, or Dell printer on a Windows PC.

Checking Printer Ink Levels

• For an HP or Brother printer, you can check the printer ink level using the HP Smart or Brother Utilities app.
• For an Epson or Canon printer, you can check printer ink levels using the Control Panel.
• Printer ink levels can also be checked by viewing the printer's screen or by manually checking the tanks (depending on what type of printer you have).

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Checking Printer Ink Levels in an HP Printer

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1. 
   1
   Open the HP Smart App. All HP printers come with an app you can download for Windows.

   • If you don't have the HP Smart App already, you can download it from HP. Search for your printer model, then download and install the HP Smart App.
2. 
   2
   Click the Home icon

   

   . You'll see this in the app's left menu. Once you click on the tab, your printer's ink levels are displayed

   • If you have an HP Ink Tank or Smart Tank printer, you can look at the see-through cartridge to eyeball the ink level. There are helpful Max and Min lines to show you when your ink is low.
   • HP LaserJet Tank Printers have an indicator on the front of the machine that shows ink levels.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Checking Printer Ink Levels in an Epson Printer

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1. 
   1
   Double-click the printer icon in your Windows taskbar. Your taskbar is the bar generally located at the bottom of your screen. The printer icon should be located inside the upward arrow icon on the right side of the bar.

   • If you don't see the icon, you'll need to locate the Epson printer in the printer driver menu. You'll generally find this in the “View devices and printers” section of Control Panel.
   • Type “Control Panel” after pressing the Windows key to search for the program on your computer. Then click Control Panel from the search results to open it. Click View devices and printers if you have Control Panel sorted by "Category" or click Devices and Printers if you have Control Panel sorted by "Large/Small Icons."
2. 
   2
   Check the ink levels. You'll see each cartridge displayed under "Consumable Status."
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Checking Printer Ink Levels in a Brother Printer

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1. 
   1
   Open the Brother Utilities app. The easiest way to do this is to type brother utilities in the taskbar search bar and click Brother Utilities in the Start menu that pops up.
2. 
   2
   Choose your printer's model name (if not already chosen). You can do this by clicking the dropdown and picking the model name of the printer you have.
3. 
   3
   Click Tools. It's in the navigation bar on the left-hand side of the window.
4. 
   4
   Click Status Monitor. This will open a new window for the Brother Status Monitor.
5. 
   5
   Check your ink levels. At the bottom of the Status Monitor window, you'll see the current ink levels for your Brother printer.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Checking Printer Ink Levels via Control Panel

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1. 
   1
   Open the Control Panel. To do this, type control panel into the taskbar search bar and click Control Panel in the Start menu that pops up.

   • This method will work for both Canon and Dell printers, as well as other printers that allow you to check the ink level using the Control Panel.
2. 
   2
   Click Devices and Printers. If you don't see this option, click the "View by" dropdown in the upper-right corner and choose "Small icons" or "Large icons."
3. 
   3
   Right-click your printer. A contextual menu will pop up.
4. 
   4
   Select Printing Preferences. A preferences window will appear.
5. 
   5
   Click the Maintenance tab. Skip this step if you don't see this tab or if it is already open.
6. 
   6
   Click View Printer Status. Another window will open with more information about your printer, including where and if there are paper jams.
7. 
   7
   Look at your ink levels. You'll see a graph that depicts the current estimated ink levels in your printer. You'll see a highlighted exclamation point next to a low ink level to remind you it's low and to get a new cartridge.
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Tips

• Most modern printers have visual panels on them that also display the current ink level.
  Thanks

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• Since there are many different printers from various manufacturers, you'll find that these instructions, although specific, may also work for your printer. Most printers you get now come with a utility program that shows you the ink levels when you add them to your computer.
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