Canon PIXMA G5020: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Canon PIXMA G5020 right for you?

The G5020 is a single-function MegaTank built for document volume: pigment black ink for waterproof text, a 250-sheet cassette, automatic duplexing and an Ethernet port. It suits home offices and small businesses that already own a scanner and want the lowest cost per page on letters, invoices and reports. The pigment black is not suited to glossy photo paper, and the rear tray is the place for envelopes and labels.

Best for: Document-heavy home offices that need duplex and Ethernet

Setting up the Canon PIXMA G5020

Fill the four tanks and install the printheads before connecting Ethernet or running the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi wizard on the LCD. Load plain paper in the cassette and set its size on the panel; use the rear tray for envelopes. Enable duplex as the driver default for everyday documents and run a nozzle check monthly.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the ink bottles (fill each tank to the upper line), 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 PIXMA G5020 uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• GI-20 Black (pigment)
• GI-20 C / M / Y
• GI-50 bottles (UK G5050)
• MC-G01 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