Canon “Support Code 1401 / 1403” — print head not recognized

Joe B.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: Canon PIXMA TS/TR/MG/MX, print heads, firmware, Windows/macOS printing, network setup

Fix Canon print head errors — Support Code 1401 / 1403 / 1405, “print head missing / not installed”, reseat & clean contacts

Technician

Hi there! We’ll clear Canon Support Code 1401 / 1403. Those codes mean the printer thinks the print head is not recognized or not installed — often after a cartridge swap or long idle time. We’ll reseat the print head, clean the gold contacts, check the ink cartridges and chips, and run the correct reset so the error disappears.
Model and inks please: PIXMA TS/TR/MG/MX series? Using genuine Canon cartridges (PGI/CLI) or refilled/third-party?

Customer

PIXMA MG5450. After replacing color cartridges I got 1401. Sometimes it changes to Support Code 1403 “wrong print head”. Won’t print anything.

Technician

Thanks. On Canon PIXMA, the print head assembly has a chip and a row of contacts. If the carriage connector is dirty, the head isn’t fully latched, or a cartridge chip reports bad data, the printer throws 1401 (not recognized) or 1403 (wrong/incorrect print head). We’ll do a safe sequence: 1) power reset, 2) remove and reseat the print head, 3) clean the electrical contacts, 4) check cartridge chips and vents, 5) deep cleaning + alignment, 6) firmware update. This solves most 1401/1403 without replacing parts.

Customer

Great. The screen won’t go past the error. How do I start the reset and remove the head safely?

Technician

Step 1 — Power reset to unlock the carriage
1) With the printer ON, unplug power. Wait 60 seconds.
2) Hold the Power button 15 seconds to discharge.
3) Plug directly into a wall outlet and power on. When the carriage moves, open the top cover.

Step 2 — Remove the print head
Lift the gray locking lever on the carriage. Gently pull the print head straight out — do not touch the nozzles or the gold pads.

Customer

The head is out. It looks a bit dusty around the pads. What should I clean and with what?

Technician

Step 3 — Clean electrical contacts & reseat
• Use a lint-free swab lightly moistened with isopropyl alcohol (90%) to wipe the gold contacts on the print head and the matching spring contacts inside the carriage. Let dry 5 minutes.
• Inspect the gray locking lever and rails for debris; a half-latched head often causes print head not installed messages.
• Slide the head back in fully and lock the lever. Reseat each cartridge until it clicks.

Customer

Done. I use third-party cartridges. Could that be the reason for 1401/1403?

Technician

It can be. Support Code 1401 is frequently triggered by cartridge chip issues or blocked air vents on PGI/CLI tanks.
Step 4 — Cartridge checks
• Make sure the orange shipping tape is fully removed and the top vents are open.
• Wipe each chip gently with a dry cloth — oil or ink on the contact pads can cause “not recognized”.
• If possible, test with at least one genuine Canon cartridge to rule out chip incompatibility (1405/1687 variants also indicate chip problems).

Customer

After reseating it boots, but shows 1403 again and won’t print. Should I run cleaning?

Technician

Yes, once the error clears.
Step 5 — Deep cleaning & alignment
• From the panel: Setup → Maintenance → Cleaning → Deep Cleaning. Wait the full cycle and print a Nozzle Check page.
• Then run Print Head Alignment.
• Update the printer firmware via Canon IJ Utility/Canon Inkjet Smart Connect — newer builds improve head recognition on TS/TR/MG/MX models.

Customer

If 1401/1403 still returns after all that, does it mean the print head is dead?

Technician

Not always, but persistent 1401/1403 after reseating, contact cleaning, and a known-good cartridge often points to a failing print head PCB or damaged carriage pins. Many PIXMA heads are replaceable (QY6-xxxx part numbers). We’ll compare the part cost vs. printer value and warranty status. If you like, I can check availability and walk you through replacement.

Customer

Understood. Could you summarize the fastest fix path I should try first?

Technician

Summary: For Canon Support Code 1401 / 1403: power reset → remove/clean/lock the print head → clean gold contacts and carriage pins → check cartridge chips & vents (try OEM) → run deep cleaning + alignment → update firmware. If codes persist, the head or carriage is likely faulty. Want step-by-step live help? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix for Canon print head not recognized (1401/1403): power reset → reseat and lock the print head → clean contacts and cartridge chips → ensure vents are open → run deep cleaning and alignment → update firmware. If still failing, test with OEM ink and evaluate print head replacement.

FAQ

Step-by-step (Canon print head recovery)

1. Perform a power reset; plug straight into a wall outlet.
2. Lift the gray lever, remove the print head, clean and dry the contacts, then reseat and lock.
3. Check cartridge chips and air vents; reseat tanks or test with an OEM cartridge.
4. Run Deep Cleaning → print Nozzle Check → run Alignment.
5. Update firmware via Canon utility or web UI.
6. If Support Codes 1401/1403 persist, diagnose for print head replacement (QY6- series).

Notes for macOS/Windows hosts

1. Driver choice doesn’t cause 1401/1403, but after recovery print a test from both macOS and Windows to confirm communication and color.
2. Keep the printer powered so maintenance cycles can run; frequent hard power cuts may trigger recognition faults.

Sources

• Canon Support — PIXMA error codes & maintenance
• Canon IJ Manuals — Print head replacement/cleaning
• Canon Global — Drivers & firmware

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