Canon Error E05
What the code means · Diagnosis at a glance
Canon error E05 appears on PIXMA models with a small LED panel and means a FINE cartridge cannot be recognised. On Canon's official error list it maps to support codes 1401, 1403, 1430 and 1485. Canon's checks are: whether the FINE cartridge is installed properly, whether the appropriate ink cartridge is installed, and whether the cartridge is compatible with the printer. In practice that means reseating the cartridge, cleaning the gold contacts if they are marked, and making sure it is a genuine, compatible Canon FINE cartridge. E05 frequently appears with refilled or third-party cartridges whose chip the printer will not accept, especially after a firmware update. If no cartridge will register, a fresh compatible FINE cartridge is the fix; if the printer still rejects a known-good cartridge, it is a service matter.
Affected brands & models
Diagnosis at a glance
Likely causes ranked, with severity and the recommended action.
What the code means
E05 is the LED-panel PIXMA code for "the FINE cartridge cannot be recognised." Where E04 is about a cartridge that is present but not seated, E05 goes a step further: the printer can see something in the slot but cannot read it as a valid cartridge. Canon maps E05 to support codes 1401, 1403, 1430 and 1485, and its official checklist is to confirm the FINE cartridge is installed properly, that the appropriate cartridge is installed, and that the cartridge is compatible with the printer.
Those three checks map onto the real-world causes. "Installed properly" covers a cartridge that has not clicked home or has ink or dirt on its gold contacts, which you can reseat and gently clean. "Appropriate" and "compatible" cover the cartridge itself: E05 is very commonly seen with refilled or third-party cartridges whose chip the printer does not accept, and this can start after a firmware update changes what the printer will recognise. If cleaning and reseating a genuine, compatible FINE cartridge does not clear E05, replacing it with one the printer accepts is the reliable fix; a printer that rejects a known-good cartridge is then a service matter.
Most frequent causes
- The FINE cartridge is not clicked fully into place.
- The gold electrical contacts on the cartridge are dirty or inked.
- The cartridge is not compatible with the printer, or is not recognised as a genuine Canon FINE cartridge.
- A refilled or third-party cartridge chip is rejected, sometimes after a firmware update.
Quick fix: try this first
- Open the cover, remove the FINE cartridge and push it back until it clicks.
- Wipe the gold contacts on the cartridge gently with a dry, lint-free cloth.
- If it still is not recognised, fit a compatible Canon FINE cartridge.
Step-by-step solution
0 / 5 doneTick each step as you go. Your progress is kept while you work.
Before you start
- Have a genuine, compatible Canon FINE cartridge available in case the current one is not accepted.
- Use a dry, lint-free cloth for the contacts, not water or solvents.
- Note whether the problem started after a firmware update, which can change what cartridges are accepted.
What not to do
- ×Do not touch or scratch the gold contacts or the print nozzles.
- ×Do not assume a refilled cartridge is faulty hardware. It may be that the chip is not recognised.
- ×Do not use water or solvents to clean the contacts; a dry, lint-free cloth only.
When to stop & call support
If E05 remains after reseating, cleaning the contacts and trying a genuine, compatible FINE cartridge, stop swapping cartridges. A printer that will not recognise a known-good, compatible cartridge has a fault in its cartridge reader rather than in the cartridge, and that is a Canon service repair.
If the error comes back
If E05 keeps returning, the most common reason is a cartridge the printer will not accept, often a refilled or third-party one, especially after a firmware update. Using a genuine, compatible Canon FINE cartridge usually settles it. If a cartridge the printer previously accepted suddenly triggers E05, check whether a firmware update changed what it recognises before assuming a hardware fault.
Related parts & consumables
Questions about Canon E05
What does E05 mean on a Canon printer?
On LED-panel PIXMA models, E05 means the FINE cartridge cannot be recognised. It maps to support codes 1401, 1403, 1430 and 1485.
How do I fix a Canon E05 error?
Reseat the FINE cartridge, gently clean its gold contacts with a dry cloth, and make sure it is a compatible Canon FINE cartridge. If it still is not recognised, fit a cartridge the printer accepts.
Why does E05 happen with refilled cartridges?
E05 often appears when the printer will not accept a refilled or third-party cartridge chip, sometimes after a firmware update changes what it recognises. A genuine, compatible Canon FINE cartridge usually clears it.
Last updated · Content is independent and not sponsored by any manufacturer.
Sources & methodology
- Canon: An Error Occurs, PIXMA online manual (E05 = support codes 1401, 1403, 1430, 1485) Manufacturer: official E-code mapping and checklist
Spotted something inaccurate? Report a content issue