Canon Pixma Printer F05 Error Code Guide

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What This Error Means

F05 on a Canon Pixma is a cartridge recognition / print head error. The printer thinks a cartridge is missing, wrong, or unreadable.

In plain terms: the printer blocks all jobs because it can’t make electrical contact with the ink cartridge chip.

Most likely causes:

  • Cartridge not fully clicked in.
  • Wrong cartridge model for this Pixma.
  • Dirty, wet, or ink‑covered gold contacts.
  • Cheap third‑party cartridge with a bad chip.
  • Less common: damaged print head or carriage electronics.

Official Fix

Canon’s manual answer: reseat or replace the ink cartridges.

  1. Power the printer off with the Power button. Unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and turn it on.
  2. Open the front/top cover so the carriage moves to the center.
  3. Unlock and remove all cartridges, even if only one is flagged.
  4. Check the model numbers on each cartridge label. They must match the codes printed near the cartridge bay or in the manual.
  5. Remove any orange tape, plastic films, or vent seals left on new cartridges. Nothing should cover the nozzles or the gold contacts.
  6. Visually inspect the gold contacts. If they’re obviously dirty, gently wipe with a dry, lint‑free cloth. Do not use water.
  7. Reinstall each cartridge into the correct slot and press until it sits flat and the latch clicks solidly.
  8. Close the cover and wait for the noise to stop. If prompted, confirm cartridge replacement and run a test print.
  9. If F05 returns, Canon says to try brand‑new genuine Canon cartridges. If that still fails, the official line is: print head / carriage failure, send it for service.

The Technician’s Trick

When that doesn’t clear F05, this is the stuff working techs actually try.

  1. Clean the contacts the right way.
    • Power off and unplug the printer. Pull the cartridges.
    • Use 90%+ isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab.
    • Lightly wipe the gold contacts on the cartridges.
    • Look inside the carriage and wipe the matching spring contacts too. Don’t bend them.
    • Let everything dry 5–10 minutes before powering back up.
  2. Force better contact.
    • If a cartridge feels loose, stick a thin strip of folded paper or tape on the top front of the cartridge (not on the chip).
    • Reinstall it so the shim pushes the chip harder into the printer contacts. Good for picky third‑party carts.
  3. Do a soft reset / service‑mode nudge.
    • With the printer off, hold Stop/Reset.
    • While holding it, press and hold Power.
    • Release Stop/Reset, keep holding Power.
    • Press Stop/Reset 5 times, then release Power.
    • Let it come up, then power it off normally and restart.
    • On many Pixmas this clears a “stuck” F05 that’s just firmware confusion.
  4. Prove it’s the cartridge, not the printer.
    • If you can, test your cartridge in another compatible Pixma.
    • Fails in both? Cartridge is bad. Works there but not in your machine? Your print head / carriage board is the culprit.

If a known‑good cartridge still gives F05 after cleaning, shimming, and a reset, the fix is hardware: print head or carriage. On low‑end Pixmas, that repair usually costs more than the printer is worth.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Error only shows with one cartridge, printer is under ~6 years old, and a new set of genuine Canon cartridges is cheaper than a new printer.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: You’ve tried brand‑new OEM cartridges and deep cleaning, F05 still pops, but you print a lot and like this model.
  • ❌ Replace: F05 persists even with known‑good cartridges, or a shop quotes you for a print head / carriage board on a budget Pixma—usually costs as much as or more than a new printer.

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