Canon associates 1401 with a FINE cartridge that is not installed or cannot be recognized, depending on model series.
What 1401 means
Canon associates 1401 with a FINE cartridge that is not installed or cannot be recognized, depending on model series.
What you may notice
- Printing stops
- The Alarm lamp flashes
- A support code appears on the computer
- The condition returns after Resume
Most likely causes
- 01A cartridge is missing
- 02It is in the wrong slot
- 03It is not fully seated
- 04The cartridge is incompatible
- 05The electrical contacts are damaged
Safe checks, in order
Start with the simplest non-invasive check. Stop as soon as the error clears; repeated resets can hide a condition without correcting it.
Open the access cover
Wait for the holder to stop.
Check both positions
Confirm color and black cartridges are in the correct slots.
Reseat once
Remove and reinstall according to the manual.
Replace if needed
Use a compatible cartridge if recognition fails.
Know where to stop
Do not touch cartridge contacts, nozzles, or the encoder strip.
When to call a technician or support
Contact Canon if the code remains after the approved checks, the carriage or holder will not move normally, or visible hardware is damaged.
When you call, have the exact product or vehicle model, model year where relevant, the complete code or symbol, and when it appeared.
Where this information came from
We use the manufacturer's current published guidance as the starting point, then organize it into a safer, beginner-friendly sequence.
Canon PIXMA manual — support-code table Source last checked August 16, 2026. Manufacturer instructions and model manuals take priority over this independent summary.