Canon MAXIFY MB5420: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Canon MAXIFY MB5420 right for you?

The MB5420 was the top MAXIFY before the MegaTank GX line arrived: two 250-sheet cassettes, a 50-sheet duplex ADF, touchscreen and Ethernet, all fed by the long-lasting PGI-2200 pigment set. Workgroups of five or so people used it as a main office printer. The 2016-era Wi-Fi radio is 2.4 GHz only and can be flaky on modern mesh networks, so wired Ethernet is the better choice today.

Best for: Small workgroups needing a high-capacity cartridge inkjet

Setting up the Canon MAXIFY MB5420

Use Ethernet where possible; for Wi-Fi pick the 2.4 GHz SSID on the touchscreen. Load both cassettes, set sizes on screen and configure the driver's tray assignment. Install the MB5400 series package on each PC for scanning and faxing, and schedule a nozzle check if the office closes for more than a week.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the ink cartridges, and load paper in the tray.
2. Join your Wi-Fi. Keep the printer close to the router for setup. Most printers only connect to the 2.4GHz band, so if your router broadcasts one merged network name you may need to split the bands temporarily. See our Wi-Fi guide if it will not join.
3. Install the setup app. Use Canon's official app rather than a driver you found on a search result — third-party driver sites are the most common source of printer malware.
4. Add the printer. On Windows 11: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › Add device. On macOS: System Settings › Printers & Scanners › Add Printer.
5. Print a test page and run a scan if this is an all-in-one, so you find any problem now rather than when you are in a hurry.

Ink, toner and supplies

The Canon MAXIFY MB5420 uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• PGI-2200 BK / C / M / Y
• PGI-2200XL
• MC-10 maintenance cartridge

High-yield (XL) versions almost always cost less per page if you print regularly. On third-party ink and toner, read our honest assessment first, and note that some manufacturers push firmware that rejects non-original chips.

Full specifications