Canon Pixma Printer F13 Error Code Fix

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What This Error Means

F13 on a Canon Pixma (usually it’s actually E13 on the display) means: “Ink out / ink level cannot be detected”.
In plain terms: the printer thinks one or more cartridges are empty or the chip can’t be read, so it refuses to print.

Official Fix

Canon’s official answer is: treat it like an empty or bad cartridge and replace it.
  • Identify the bad cartridge – The screen or blinking light usually points to the specific color (black or color tank icon flashing).
  • Leave the printer powered ON, then open the front/top cover so the carriage moves to the center.
  • Release the suspect cartridge – Push its front-top down until it clicks, then pull it out.
  • Check the basics:
    • Make sure all orange tape and protective film are fully removed.
    • Check the vent (usually a tiny hole on top under the label) isn’t covered or clogged with ink.
    • If the cartridge feels feather-light, it’s probably actually empty.
  • Install a new, correct cartridge for your exact Pixma model (Canon recommends genuine Canon). Slide the front in slightly angled up, then press the top front until it clicks and sits level.
  • Seat all cartridges firmly – Every tank in the head should be fully clicked in. A loose neighbor can also trigger F13/E13.
  • Close the cover and wait. The printer will whir for a bit, then should go back to Ready with no F13/E13.
  • If the error still shows with a new genuine cartridge, power cycle:
    • Turn the printer off.
    • Unplug it for 60 seconds.
    • Plug back in and turn it on again.
  • If F13/E13 still will not clear with a fresh original cartridge, Canon’s official line is that you likely have a faulty printhead or cartridge sensor and should contact service or replace the unit.

The Technician’s Trick

This is the real-world move when you know there’s ink left (refilled or brand-new compatible cart) but the printer won’t believe you.

Bypass the ink-level lockout (disable monitoring for that cartridge):

  • Leave the printer on with the F13/E13 error showing.
  • Find the Stop/Reset or Resume/Cancel button (triangle-in-a-circle symbol on most Pixmas).
  • Hold that button down for 5–15 seconds.
    • Keep holding until the error message clears or the light stops flashing and the printer returns to Ready.
    • On most models this permanently disables ink-level monitoring for that specific cartridge until you replace it again.
  • Print a test page. If it prints, you’ve just told the printer to shut up about that “empty” cart.

Big warning: once you bypass monitoring, the printer won’t know when that tank actually runs dry. If you keep hammering it with a bone-dry cartridge for a long time, you can overheat and kill the printhead.

So do this smart:

  • If prints start to fade or get streaky, stop, refill or replace the cartridge.
  • Don’t use this trick on a printer that’s already printing poorly; fix the ink issue first.

Contact-clean trick (for bad chip reads, not truly empty ink):

  • Turn the printer off and unplug it.
  • Remove the suspect cartridge.
  • Use a lint-free cloth or coffee filter slightly dampened with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol.
  • Gently wipe the gold contacts on the side/back of the cartridge.
  • Also carefully wipe the matching spring contacts inside the carriage where the cartridge sits.
  • Let everything dry 5–10 minutes, reinstall the cartridge, power the printer back on, and see if the F13/E13 is gone.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Printer is under ~7–8 years old, only shows F13/E13, and clears with new or cleaned cartridges or the monitoring bypass. Ink cost is your main expense.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: F13/E13 won’t clear even with brand-new genuine ink, and a replacement printhead for your model is pushing into the $60–$90 range. Compare that to a new Pixma before spending.
  • ❌ Replace: Very old Pixma, needs a full set of expensive cartridges plus a likely printhead, or has other issues (paper feed errors, banding, nozzles missing) on top of F13/E13. Put that money into a new printer.

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