Canon Error 1686 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Updated July 2026 · Independent PrinterCare USA support guide
Canon error 1686 stops your printer dead in its tracks because the device cannot verify ink levels and refuses to print until it can communicate with your cartridges. This is a safety feature Canon built in, but it triggers frustratingly often when cartridge contacts get dirty, cartridges sit at odd angles, or chips wear out from normal use.
The good news is that most users fix this themselves in under ten minutes by cleaning cartridge contacts and reseating the cartridges properly. If you have tried basic troubleshooting and the error persists, you are looking at cartridge replacement around fifteen to forty dollars per cartridge, or remote technician assistance starting at forty nine dollars.
How to fix it — step by step
- Power cycle the printer completely. Turn off your Canon printer using the power button, wait thirty seconds, then turn it back on. This simple reset clears temporary communication errors between the printer and cartridges. Let the printer go through its startup sequence fully before proceeding to the next step.
- Check cartridge seating and alignment. Open the cartridge access door and look at how each cartridge sits in its slot. Push each cartridge straight in until you hear or feel a distinct click, confirming it locked into place. Cartridges that sit at slight angles or stick out slightly will not make proper contact with the printer's sensor pins.
- Remove cartridges and inspect contact points. Take both ink cartridges out of the printer by pressing the tabs or levers on the sides. Examine the gold or copper colored contact points on the back of each cartridge and look for visible dirt, dust, or dried ink residue. Do the same for the metal contacts inside the cartridge bay of the printer itself.
- Clean cartridge contacts with proper materials. Use a soft, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water to gently wipe the gold contact points on the back of each cartridge. Wipe the contact pins inside the cartridge bay slot as well using the same gentle motion. Never use rubbing alcohol, paper towels, or abrasive materials, as these can damage the delicate contact surfaces or leave fibers behind.
- Reinstall cartridges and run a cleaning cycle. Insert each cartridge back into its correct slot at a slight downward angle, then push firmly until it clicks into locked position. Wait for the printer to recognize the cartridges, then access the maintenance menu on your printer or through the driver software and run a cleaning cycle. This purges air from the print heads and allows the cartridges and printer to properly communicate.
- Clear error codes from printer memory. On most Canon printers, you can clear error codes by holding down the power button for ten to fifteen seconds while the printer is turned on, then releasing it. Check your specific printer model's manual for the exact key combination, as this varies between Canon series. Some models require you to navigate to a maintenance or setup menu and select a clear error or reset option.
- Test with a print job and monitor for recurrence. Send a simple test print document to your printer and watch to see if error 1686 returns. If the printer prints successfully without throwing the error again, the problem is likely solved. If the error returns immediately or after one or two successful prints, your cartridges may be defective or past their useful life.
- Replace cartridges if error persists after cleaning. If you have cleaned the contacts thoroughly and reseated cartridges multiple times but error 1686 keeps appearing, one or both cartridges are likely faulty. Purchase genuine Canon cartridges or quality compatible cartridges from a reputable vendor and install them following the steps above. Counterfeit or extremely old cartridges often have worn or defective chips that trigger this error and cannot be repaired by cleaning.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I use my printer if I ignore error 1686 and just hit continue?
No, Canon printers lock out printing entirely when they detect this error because the device cannot verify that ink is actually present. Ignoring the error will not allow you to bypass the safety feature. You must resolve the underlying cartridge communication issue before the printer will resume normal operation.
Does error 1686 mean I have to buy new cartridges right away?
Not necessarily. The majority of error 1686 cases clear up after cleaning cartridge contacts and reinstalling them properly. Only if the error returns consistently after thorough cleaning and multiple reinstallation attempts should you assume the cartridges themselves are defective. New cartridges typically cost fifteen to forty dollars per unit depending on your printer model.
Is it safe to use distilled water to clean the cartridge contacts?
Yes, distilled water is the safest and most commonly recommended liquid for cleaning printer cartridge contacts. Tap water can leave mineral deposits, and rubbing alcohol can damage certain contact coatings or leave residue. Use only a small amount on a lint-free cloth and allow the contacts to air dry completely before reinstalling the cartridges.
Why does error 1686 keep coming back even after I cleaned everything?
Recurring error 1686 after cleaning usually indicates that one or both cartridge chips are genuinely worn out or damaged and cannot reliably communicate with the printer. Environmental factors like high humidity, temperature swings, or the printer sitting unused for long periods can also cause old chips to fail. Replacement cartridges will resolve the issue permanently in these cases.