Canon Printer Error 1401 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Canon error 1401 means the printer cannot recognize the installed ink cartridge. The cartridge may be the wrong type, incorrectly installed, or have dirty contacts. This error prevents printing until the cartridge issue is resolved. Reseating the cartridge and cleaning the contacts resolves most cases.

Affected Models

Canon PIXMA MG2500
Canon PIXMA MG3000
Canon PIXMA MG3600
Canon PIXMA MG3620
Canon PIXMA MX490 series

Common Causes

Ink cartridge is not correctly seated in the carrier
Wrong ink cartridge model installed — not compatible with this printer
Dirty or corroded electrical contacts on the cartridge or in the cartridge holder
Third-party or refilled cartridge without a compatible chip
Empty cartridge that the printer detects as absent rather than empty

How to Fix It

Open the printer's cartridge access cover and wait for the carriage to move to the center. Remove the ink cartridge that the printer is indicating as problematic. The display or blinking light will usually indicate which cartridge has the fault.

If the display shows a cartridge icon blinking, that indicates which slot has the unrecognized cartridge.
Check the cartridge model number printed on the side or top of the cartridge. Compare it against the cartridges listed in your printer manual or on the Canon website for your specific printer model. Using an incompatible cartridge will always trigger error 1401.

Canon cartridges are model-specific. For example, a PG-245 cartridge will not work in a printer that requires PG-243.
Clean the electrical contacts on the cartridge. Use a clean, dry lint-free cloth to gently wipe the copper-colored contacts on the bottom of the cartridge. Also clean the matching contacts inside the cartridge holder with a dry cotton swab.

Ink residue on the contacts is a common cause of recognition errors. Allow everything to dry before reinstalling.
Reinstall the cartridge and push it in firmly until you feel or hear it click into place. Close the access cover and wait for the printer to initialize. Test with a print job.

If the cartridge is not fully clicked in, the contacts may not make proper electrical contact.
If you are using a third-party or refilled cartridge, try a genuine Canon cartridge. Third-party cartridges sometimes trigger error 1401 if their chips are not fully compatible with Canon's recognition system.

Canon printers use chip-verified cartridges. Some third-party cartridges include compatible chips, but compatibility can break after firmware updates.

When to Call a Professional

Error 1401 is almost always a self-service fix. No professional help is needed unless the cartridge holder itself is damaged. Holder damage would require a service technician and would likely cost more than the printer's value on basic models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Canon error 1401 mean my cartridge is empty?

Not necessarily. Error 1401 specifically means the cartridge is not recognized, which is different from being empty. However, a completely empty cartridge can sometimes trigger recognition errors on certain models. If the cartridge is confirmed to be the correct model and is fully seated, try a new cartridge to see if the error is due to a defective cartridge.

Can I get error 1401 after a Canon firmware update?

Yes, it is possible. Canon's firmware updates sometimes change cartridge recognition requirements. If error 1401 appeared after a firmware update and you are using third-party cartridges, the update may have changed compatibility. Switching to genuine Canon cartridges is the most reliable solution in this case.

How do I know which cartridge model my Canon printer uses?

Check the inside of the cartridge access cover — Canon usually prints the compatible cartridge model numbers on a label there. You can also check the original cartridges that came with the printer, or look up your printer model on the Canon website to see the compatible cartridge list.