Canon Printer Error Code E16 usually means the printer has detected an ink level condition where one or more cartridges appear empty or cannot be monitored correctly. The single most likely fix is to press and hold the printer’s Stop/Reset button for about 5 to 10 seconds to disable ink level detection for the affected cartridge and resume printing.
Turn the printer off, unplug it, and wait 15 to 30 minutes before powering it back on. This clears temporary logic faults in the control board and can reset a false cartridge status caused by a power glitch. If the error returns immediately, continue to the next step.
Press and hold the Stop/Reset button for 5 to 10 seconds when Canon Printer Error Code E16 appears. On many Canon inkjet models, this overrides the ink monitor for the cartridge the printer believes is empty. If printing resumes, replace the low or empty cartridge as soon as possible to avoid running the printhead dry.
If the override does not work, remove and reseat each ink cartridge and inspect the cartridge contacts, carriage contacts, and wiring path for contamination or damage. A dirty contact pad, misaligned cartridge, or carriage PCB communication issue can prevent the sensor circuit from reading the cartridge correctly. Stop here and seek service if you find burnt contacts or liquid ink inside the connector area.
On a Canon Printer, Error Code E16 is an ink monitoring fault tied to cartridge status rather than a paper feed motor, pump assembly, thermistor, or fuser problem. The printer’s logic circuit compares cartridge memory and ink usage data, and when it determines that a cartridge has reached an empty threshold or can no longer be tracked accurately, it locks printing to protect the printhead from overheating or cavitation.
In practical terms, Canon Printer Error Code E16 most often appears after a cartridge runs out, after a refilled cartridge is installed, or after the cartridge’s electrical contacts fail to communicate properly with the carriage PCB. The printer may still be mechanically fine, but the sensor feedback path is interrupted. Because many Canon inkjet systems use ink as both a printing medium and a cooling medium for the printhead nozzles, the firmware treats this condition seriously.
If the cartridge still contains usable ink, the error can sometimes be bypassed by disabling ink level detection for that cartridge. If the cartridge is actually empty, the correct repair is replacement. Repeatedly forcing the printer to run with an empty tank can damage the printhead, carriage circuit, or control board over time.
This is the most common cause of Canon Printer Error Code E16. Once the printer’s internal count reaches the empty threshold, the firmware blocks normal operation until you replace the cartridge or manually override monitoring. If you continue printing with no ink present, the printhead can overheat.
Refilled cartridges often trigger E16 because the printer cannot reliably read or reset the cartridge’s status data. Even if the cartridge contains ink, the cartridge memory or contact pattern may not report correctly to the carriage sensor circuit. The printer then treats the cartridge as unmonitored or empty.
Ink mist, oxidation, or finger oils on the cartridge terminals can interrupt communication between the cartridge and the carriage PCB. That can make the control board misread the cartridge as invalid or depleted. This is especially common after a cartridge swap done in a dusty area or with leaking ink present.
If the cartridge latch is not fully locked or the tank is slightly out of alignment, the electrical pads may not make full contact. The printer then loses status feedback and throws an ink-related error. A weak latch, warped cartridge body, or debris in the holder can all cause this.
Less commonly, the problem is not the ink tank at all but the printer’s internal electronics. A damaged wiring harness, failed carriage PCB trace, or fault on the main control board can prevent the cartridge status signal from reaching the logic circuit. This is more likely if multiple cartridges suddenly report errors at once.
Follow the steps below one at a time — many error codes can be fixed faster than they look.
Tools you may need: screwdriver, multimeter, flashlight
Safety warning: Disconnect power before opening any panels or touching internal components.
Start with a full power reset. Turn the printer off, unplug the power cord from the wall, and leave it disconnected for 15 to 30 minutes. This allows residual charge in the power supply and control board capacitors to dissipate, which can clear a false cartridge communication fault.
Reconnect power and turn the printer on, then read the display or indicator pattern carefully. If Canon Printer Error Code E16 reappears, identify which cartridge was most recently installed or is reported as low. On many models, pressing and holding the Stop/Reset button for 5 to 10 seconds will disable ink level detection for that one cartridge so you can continue printing temporarily.
Open the cartridge access area and remove the affected cartridge. Inspect the plastic body for cracks, swelling, leakage, or a damaged chip/contact area. If the tank is genuinely empty, replace it now with a new cartridge; if it is refilled or third-party, understand that the printer may still require an override even when ink is present.
Clean the cartridge contacts and the carriage contacts carefully using a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Do not soak the contacts or touch the nozzle plate. Allow everything to dry fully, then reinstall the cartridge and make sure the latch clicks into place without resistance.
Run a test print or nozzle check if the printer allows it. If the printer accepts the cartridge but print quality is poor, the issue may be low ink, air in the printhead, or partial nozzle starvation rather than an active electronics fault. Stop printing immediately if output is blank or severely faded, because that can indicate the printhead is not receiving enough ink for cooling.
If E16 persists across multiple known-good cartridges, inspect the carriage connector area with a flashlight. Look for bent contact pins, heavy ink contamination, corrosion, or signs of heat damage on the carriage PCB. If you are experienced with electrical testing, use a multimeter only for basic continuity checks on accessible harness sections with power disconnected; do not probe delicate contact pads aggressively.
Remove any accessible covers only if your model allows safe inspection without disturbing the scanner unit or main frame. Check that the wiring harness to the carriage is not pinched, torn, or detached and that no ink has migrated onto the control board area. If you find damaged wiring, burnt traces, or repeated cartridge read failures on more than one slot, stop troubleshooting and call a professional because board-level repair may be required.
Call for service if a new genuine cartridge does not clear the error, if the printer reports multiple cartridge faults at the same time, or if the carriage does not move correctly during startup. Those symptoms point to a carriage PCB, main PCB, or sensor communication fault rather than a simple consumable issue. Continuing to force operation can turn a minor cartridge fault into an expensive printhead or board failure.
Yes. In many cases, you can clear Canon Printer Error Code E16 by unplugging the printer for 15 to 30 minutes and then holding the Stop/Reset button for 5 to 10 seconds when the message appears. That usually disables ink level monitoring for the affected cartridge, but it does not refill ink or repair a failed cartridge.
E16 means the printer has determined that an ink cartridge is empty or that ink level monitoring for that cartridge can no longer function correctly. It is mainly a cartridge status and communication problem, not a paper jam or motor issue. The printer blocks operation to protect the printhead from running without enough ink.
Yes, but only with caution. Once monitoring is disabled, the printer may no longer warn you before the cartridge is truly empty. If you continue printing with no ink in the tank, the printhead can overheat and fail, which is far more expensive than replacing the cartridge.
Often, yes. A new genuine cartridge is the most reliable fix when the old cartridge is empty, refilled, or not communicating correctly. If a genuine cartridge still triggers E16 after cleaning and reseating, the problem may be in the carriage contacts, wiring harness, or control board rather than the cartridge itself.
If the problem is only an empty or faulty cartridge, the cost is usually just the price of a replacement consumable. If the carriage PCB, printhead assembly, or main control board is defective, repair costs can rise significantly and may exceed the value of an older printer. That is why cartridge testing should always come first.
Stop if you see burnt contacts, liquid ink on electronic boards, bent carriage pins, repeated failures with multiple new cartridges, or any signs of control board damage. You should also call for service if the printer shows additional faults like carriage errors, startup failure, or intermittent power issues, because those point to deeper electrical problems.
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