Canon support code 1401 (print head not installed or not recognised)
Support code 1401 means the printer cannot detect the print head. 1403 means the print head installed is the wrong type for this printer, and 1405 means the head was detected but cannot be used. These codes appear on PIXMA models with a removable print head that holds separate ink tanks.
What causes it
- Print head not locked down after being removed for cleaning
- Ink or debris on the print head contacts or the carriage contacts
- Print head from a different PIXMA model installed
- Print head electrical failure, often after overheating when tanks ran dry
- Carriage flex cable damage
How to fix it, in order
Work down the list and stop when the printer recovers. The steps are ordered from most likely and least invasive to last resort.
Turn the printer off and open the cover
Power off, then open the top cover. Turn the printer on so the carriage moves to the replacement position, then unplug it so the carriage stays put without power.
Remove the ink tanks and the print head
Lift each ink tank out, raise the print head lock lever, and lift the print head out. Check for dried ink or debris on the gold contacts on the back of the head.
Clean the contacts
Wipe the print head contacts with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water and dry thoroughly. Wipe the contacts inside the carriage with a dry cloth. Do not touch the nozzle face.
Reinstall and lock the print head
Lower the head into the carriage, press down on the front of it, and pull the lock lever forward and down until it clicks. Reinsert each ink tank until its indicator lights.
Confirm the print head matches the printer
If you replaced the head, check its part number (for example QY6-0080, QY6-0083, QY6-0090) against the one Canon lists for your model. Code 1403 appears when the wrong head is installed.
Power on and test
Close the cover, plug in and turn on. If 1401 clears, print a nozzle check from Setup, Maintenance. If the error returns after cleaning and reseating, the head's electronics have failed.
Replace the print head
Buy a genuine Canon print head for your model. Install it with the ink tanks at reasonable levels and let the printer run its automatic alignment.
Stopping it happening again
When it is not worth fixing yourself
If you would rather not work through this alone, a printer specialist can take a look with you on a screen-share and tell you honestly whether the machine is worth saving.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 1401 and 1403?
1401 means no print head is detected; 1403 means a print head is detected but it is the wrong type for the printer. Check the part number if you see 1403.
Can I clean a print head that gives 1401 by soaking it?
Soaking the nozzle plate clears clogs, but 1401 is an electrical detection problem. Focus on the contacts and the lock lever rather than the nozzles.
Is 1401 the same as B200?
No. B200 is a print head temperature or electrical fault during operation. 1401 is the head not being detected at all. Both can end with print head replacement, but the checks differ.
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