Canon support code 1660 (ink tank not installed)

What causes it

• A tank removed and not replaced, or placed in the wrong colour slot
• A tank not pressed down until it clicked
• Dirty or damaged chip contacts on the tank or the print head
• Non-genuine tank with a chip the printer does not recognise
• Print head contact failure

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.

1. Open the cover and check every slot

   Let the carriage move to the replacement position. Each tank should be fully down with its LED lit steadily. The tank that is missing or not recognised will have its LED off or flashing.

2. Reseat the problem tank

   Lift the tank out, check that the orange cap has been removed, then push it back in at the front until it clicks and the LED lights.

3. Check the colour position

   Each slot is labelled. A tank in the wrong slot will not be recognised. Move it to the correct position.

4. Clean the chip contacts

   Wipe the gold contacts on the tank and the matching contacts on the print head with a dry lint-free cloth. Reinstall and check the LED.

5. Try another tank in that slot

   If a known good tank lights in the slot and the original does not, the original tank's chip is faulty and needs replacing. If no tank lights in that slot, the print head contact is the problem.

6. Reseat the print head

   Remove all tanks, raise the print head lock lever, lift the head out, clean its rear contacts, reinstall and lock. Refit the tanks and restart the printer.

Printers that show this code

Frequently asked questions