Canon Support Code 168A: FINE cartridge installed wrong or not compatible
Also shows as: E04 on small-LCD PIXMA TS3100-type models
A FINE cartridge is not installed properly, or a cartridge not compatible with this printer is installed.
What to try
- Retract the output tray extension and paper output tray, then open the cover.
- Remove the FINE cartridges.
- Make sure the cartridges are the correct type for your printer.
- Reinstall them and push each one up until it clicks into place.
- Close the cover.
When it needs a technician
Rarely. Canon lists no repair step for this code. If it keeps coming back after the steps above, contact Canon support.
Which models show 168A
Canon documents this code for models including PIXMA TS3100 series, PIXMA TS3300 series, PIXMA TS3400 series, PIXMA TR4500 series, PIXMA MG2900 series.
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 - PIXMA TS3100 series, support code 168A. Codes are model-specific, so your own model's manual is the final word. Reviewed October 2026.
Still showing 168A?
Tell our printer technician your model and what you've tried. You'll find out whether it's fixable at home or worth repairing at all.
Ask about my printer — $1Eric Paul Amora · Printer & Hardware Repair Technician