Canon Pixma Printer F23 Error Code Fix

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What This Error Means

F23 on a Canon Pixma is a service-call error for the print head / ink system.

Translation: the printer thinks the print head electronics or its temperature sensor are out of normal range, so it locks itself to avoid frying the head.

Official Fix

Canon’s playbook is pretty tame. Do this in order, don’t skip.

  • 1. Power-cycle the printer
    • Press the Power button to turn it off.
    • Unplug the power cord from the wall for at least 60 seconds.
    • Plug it back in and power on.
    • If F23 is gone, you got lucky. If it comes back, keep going.
  • 2. Check the ink tanks
    • Open the top cover and wait for the carriage to park in the middle.
    • Make sure every ink tank is the correct model for your Pixma and fully clicked down.
    • Pull each tank out and check for:
      • Protective tape still on the outlet.
      • Obvious leaks, cracks, or wrong color in the wrong slot.
    • Reinstall all tanks firmly.
  • 3. Reseat the print head (models with removable heads)
    • With the carriage in the center, remove all ink tanks.
    • Lift the gray lever behind the tanks and gently pull the print head straight out.
    • Check for wet ink puddles, bent pins, or burnt spots. Anything scorched usually means bad head.
    • Lightly wipe the gold contacts on the head and in the carriage with a lint‑free cloth. If needed, dampen the cloth with a bit of 90%+ isopropyl alcohol, not water.
    • Slide the head back in, lock the lever, reinstall the tanks.
  • 4. Check for mechanical blockage
    • Turn the printer off.
    • Gently move the carriage left and right by hand. It should slide smoothly.
    • Pull out any scraps of paper, labels, or plastic stuck in the carriage path or under the head.
  • 5. Run Canon’s cleaning tools
    • From the printer’s menu or your computer, open the maintenance / utilities section.
    • Run Nozzle Cleaning once, then test.
    • If it runs without throwing F23, follow with Deep Cleaning to clear weak nozzles.
  • 6. If F23 stays
    • Canon’s official answer at this point: the printer needs service.
    • That usually means a new print head, a new logic board, or both.

The Technician’s Trick

This is the stuff the manual won't spell out. Use it at your own risk, but this is what field techs actually do.

  • 1. Hard reset / clear a stuck F23

    This works on a lot of Pixma models, not all. If the buttons on yours don't match, don't force it.

    • Turn the printer off with the Power button.
    • Hold down the Stop/Reset button.
    • While holding Stop/Reset, press and hold Power.
    • Keep holding Power and tap Stop/Reset 5 times.
    • Release both buttons and wait. The printer should sit there with the Power light on solid or flashing slowly.
    • After 30–60 seconds, turn it off, then on again normally.
    • If the code was just a glitch in the self‑test, F23 will clear.
  • 2. Deep clean a borderline print head

    If the head is clogging and running hot, F23 can show up even though the hardware isn't totally dead yet.

    • Remove the ink tanks and the print head like in the Official Fix.
    • Fill a shallow dish with warm (not hot) distilled water, just deep enough to cover the nozzles, not the electronics.
    • Set the head nozzles‑down in the water for 15–30 minutes. You should see ink bleeding out.
    • Lift it out, gently blot the nozzles with a paper towel, and let the head air‑dry at least an hour.
    • Reinstall the head and tanks, then run a Nozzle Cleaning.
    • If F23 stays gone and test prints look decent, you bought yourself more life.
  • 3. Quick test for a dead head vs dead board
    • Power on with the top cover open.
    • If the carriage never even twitches before F23 pops, the main board is suspect.
    • If the carriage moves, parks, then F23 hits when it tries to pressurize ink, odds are higher it's the print head.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Printer is under 4–5 years old, you can clear F23 with cleaning/reset, or a replacement print head costs less than about half the price of a new Pixma.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Machine is 5–7 years old, needs a new head that costs roughly half a new printer, but you already stock ink for it and print quality still matters to you.
  • ❌ Replace: Printer is older than 7 years, F23 comes back immediately even after cleaning and resets, Canon quotes you for a main board or head + board, or the repair bill gets close to the cost of a brand‑new printer.

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