Canon Support Code 1401: Cartridge not installed / print head may be damaged
The meaning depends on the model. On FINE-cartridge models (for example TS3300) Canon says the FINE cartridge is not installed. On models with a separate print head (for example TS6300) Canon says the print head may be damaged.
What to try
- FINE-cartridge models: install the FINE cartridge. If the error stays, the cartridge may be damaged. Contact Canon.
- Print-head models: turn the printer off and back on.
- If this does not solve it, contact your nearest Canon service center to request a repair.
When it needs a technician
If a power cycle (or reinstalling the cartridge) does not clear it, Canon says to request a repair.
Which models show 1401
Canon documents this code for models including PIXMA TS3300 series, PIXMA TS3100 series, PIXMA TS6300 series, PIXMA MG3600 series, PIXMA TR4500 series, PIXMA TS5100 series.
Varies by model: TS3300 series: "FINE cartridge is not installed." TS6300 series: "Print head may be damaged."
First steps for any printer error
- Write down the exact code before you do anything else — similar-looking codes often mean completely different things.
- Power the printer off, unplug it for a couple of minutes, then power it back on. A surprising number of transient errors clear here.
- Open the covers and check for paper scraps, packaging material, or anything blocking the carriage.
- Check the cartridges or tanks are genuine, correctly seated, and not empty.
- Confirm the printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension lead.
- Check your model’s own manual — codes are model-specific, and the manual is the authority for your machine.
Source: Canon Inkjet Manual - TS6300 series 1401 (also TS3300 series 1401). Codes are model-specific, so your own model's manual is the final word. Reviewed October 2026.
Still showing 1401?
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Ask about my printer — $1Eric Paul Amora · Printer & Hardware Repair Technician