Canon MG3600 Does Not Recognize the Cartridge: Errors 1401, 1403, 1485, 1682, 1684, and 1688

Last Updated on 22.07.2026 by DriverNew

Canon PIXMA MG3600 series may stop printing after a FINE cartridge is installed or replaced. The Alarm lamp begins flashing, and a support code such as 1401, 1403, 1485, 1682, 1684, or 1688 appears on the computer.

These codes are similar but indicate different problems. In one case, the cartridge is missing or not installed securely. In another, it is in the wrong slot, incompatible with the multifunction printer, damaged, or out of ink.

This guide applies to the following models:

Canon PIXMA MG3610, MG3620, MG3640, MG3640S, MG3650, MG3650S, MG3660, MG3670, and MG3680.

All the devices listed above belong to Canon PIXMA MG3600 series.

What Canon MG3600 cartridge errors mean

Code	Number of Alarm lamp flashes	Cause	Main action
1401	5	The FINE cartridge is not installed.	Install the missing cartridge.
1403	5	The FINE cartridge is not recognized.	Replace the cartridge.
1485	5	An unsuitable cartridge is installed.	Install a compatible cartridge.
1486 or 1487	6	The cartridges are installed in the wrong slots.	Install the color cartridge on the left and the black cartridge on the right.
1682	15	The FINE cartridge is not recognized.	Replace the cartridge.
1684	14	The cartridge is installed incorrectly or is incompatible with the multifunction printer.	Install a suitable cartridge correctly.
1686	13	The ink may have run out.	Replace the cartridge or temporarily continue printing without ink level monitoring.
1687	4	The FINE cartridge is not installed securely.	Lock the lever or reinstall the cartridge.
1688	16	The ink has run out.	Replace the empty cartridge.

Method 1. Fix error 1687: the cartridge is not installed securely

Code 1687 usually appears after cartridge replacement if the cartridge locking lever was not raised completely.

1. Make sure that the multifunction printer is turned on.
2. Open the front cover.
3. Open the paper output tray.
4. Open the paper output cover.
5. Wait until the cartridge holder moves to the replacement position.
6. Do not touch the holder until it has stopped completely.
7. Check the locking lever for the black cartridge.
8. Check the locking lever for the color cartridge.
9. Raise each lever until it clicks.
10. Close the paper output cover.

After closing the cover, wait until the multifunction printer finishes checking the cartridges.

If error 1687 remains

Remove and reinstall the cartridges:

1. Open the paper output cover again.
2. Wait until the holder stops.
3. Lower the locking lever for the required cartridge until it clicks.
4. Carefully remove the cartridge.
5. Insert it straight into the holder as far as it will go.
6. Raise the locking lever until it clicks.
7. Check the installation of the second cartridge.
8. Close the paper output cover.

Method 2. Fix errors 1486 and 1487: the cartridges are installed in the wrong slots

Canon MG3600 series has separate slots for the black and color FINE cartridges:

• the color cartridge is installed on the left;
• the black cartridge is installed on the right.

Printing is blocked if the cartridges are in the wrong slots.

Reinstall the cartridges in the correct positions

1. Turn on the multifunction printer.
2. Open the front cover and paper output tray.
3. Open the paper output cover.
4. Wait until the cartridge holder stops completely.
5. Lower the locking lever for the first cartridge.
6. Remove the cartridge.
7. Remove the second cartridge in the same way.
8. Insert the color FINE cartridge into the left slot.
9. Raise its lever until it clicks.
10. Insert the black FINE cartridge into the right slot.
11. Raise its lever until it clicks.
12. Close the paper output cover.

Method 3. Fix error 1401: the cartridge is not installed

Code 1401 means that the multifunction printer did not detect one of the required FINE cartridges.

Check:

• whether the black cartridge is installed;
• whether the color cartridge is installed;
• whether they are inserted as far as they will go;
• whether the locking levers are raised;
• whether the paper output cover is closed.

Install the missing cartridge

1. Turn on the multifunction printer.
2. Open the front cover.
3. Open the paper output tray.
4. Open the paper output cover.
5. Wait until the cartridge holder stops.
6. Prepare a suitable FINE cartridge.
7. Remove the protective tape completely if the cartridge is new.
8. Insert the cartridge straight into the correct slot as far as it will go.
9. Raise the locking lever until it clicks.
10. Make sure that the second cartridge is also installed.
11. Close the paper output cover.

If both cartridges are installed correctly but code 1401 does not disappear, one of them may be damaged. Test the device with a new suitable cartridge.

Method 4. Fix error 1485: an unsuitable cartridge is installed

Code 1485 means that the installed cartridge is incompatible with the specific multifunction printer.

Printing cannot continue while this error is present.

What to check

• whether the cartridge is intended for the exact multifunction printer model;
• whether it matches the country or region where the device was sold;
• whether the cartridge has been confused with a similar model;
• whether the correct cartridge type is installed in the correct slot;
• whether an old unsuitable cartridge remains in the holder.

Clear the error

1. Press the Stop button if you need to cancel the current job.
2. Open the paper output cover.
3. Wait until the holder stops.
4. Remove the unsuitable cartridge.
5. Install a cartridge intended for your MG3600 series model.
6. Raise the locking lever until it clicks.
7. Close the cover.

Method 5. Fix error 1684

Code 1684 means that the cartridge is installed incorrectly or is unsuitable for this multifunction printer.

First, check the installation:

1. Open the paper output cover.
2. Wait until the holder stops.
3. Check the cartridge positions.
4. Make sure that the color cartridge is on the left.
5. Make sure that the black cartridge is on the right.
6. Check that the locking levers are secured.
7. Close the cover.

If the installation is correct but the error remains, replace the cartridge with one suitable for this multifunction printer.

Printing cannot continue with an incompatible cartridge.

Method 6. Fix errors 1403 and 1682: the cartridge is not recognized

Errors 1403 and 1682 mean that the multifunction printer’s electronic system cannot recognize the FINE cartridge.

Unlike error 1687, these codes are usually not cleared simply by raising the locking lever. The main action is to replace the cartridge.

Perform a quick check before replacement

1. Make sure that both cartridges are in the correct slots.
2. Check whether the levers are raised until they click.
3. Close the paper output cover.
4. Turn off the multifunction printer using the power button.
5. Wait several seconds.
6. Turn the device back on.

If the code appears again, install a new suitable FINE cartridge.

If the new cartridge is also not recognized

Make sure that the cartridge:

• matches the exact multifunction printer model;
• is installed in the correct slot;
• is inserted as far as it will go;
• is secured by the locking lever;
• has no visible damage.

If the error remains with a new compatible cartridge, the device requires service diagnostics.

Method 7. Fix error 1686: the ink may have run out

Code 1686 appears when the multifunction printer can no longer correctly detect the remaining ink level.

The most appropriate solution is to replace the corresponding FINE cartridge.

Temporarily continue printing

If the document must be completed before the cartridge is replaced:

1. Leave the cartridge installed.
2. Press and hold the Stop button for at least five seconds.
3. Release the button.
4. Wait for printing to continue.

After this, monitoring of the remaining ink level for that cartridge will be disabled.

Method 8. Fix error 1688: the ink has run out

Code 1688 means that the cartridge has run out of ink.

The main solution:

1. Prepare a new suitable FINE cartridge.
2. Open the paper output cover.
3. Wait until the holder stops.
4. Remove the empty cartridge.
5. Install the new cartridge.
6. Raise the locking lever until it clicks.
7. Close the paper output cover.

Temporarily continue an ongoing print job

If printing is already in progress and must be completed:

1. Do not remove the empty cartridge.
2. Press and hold the Stop button for at least five seconds.
3. Release the button.
4. Wait for the job to continue.

Ink level monitoring will be disabled. Print quality may deteriorate noticeably, so replace the empty cartridge after completing the urgent job.

How to replace a FINE cartridge correctly

Step 1. Open the cartridge compartment

1. Make sure that the multifunction printer is turned on.
2. Open the front cover.
3. Open the paper output tray.
4. Open the paper output cover.
5. Wait until the holder moves to the replacement position.
6. Do not touch the holder until it stops.

After the paper output cover is opened, the cartridge holder cover opens automatically.

Step 2. Remove the old cartridge

1. Press the locking lever for the required cartridge.
2. Lower the lever until it clicks.
3. Carefully remove the cartridge.
4. Hold it so that you do not stain your hands or surrounding objects.

Step 3. Prepare the new cartridge

1. Remove the new FINE cartridge from its packaging.
2. Carefully remove the protective tape.
3. Do not shake the cartridge.
4. Do not reattach the removed tape.
5. Do not touch the nozzles or electrical contacts.

Step 4. Install the new cartridge

1. Guide the cartridge straight into the correct slot.
2. Insert it as far as it will go into the back of the holder.
3. Install the color cartridge on the left.
4. Install the black cartridge on the right.
5. Raise the locking lever.
6. Make sure that the lever clicks into place.
7. Check that the cartridge is installed evenly.
8. Close the paper output cover.

After replacement, the multifunction printer may automatically perform print head cleaning. Do not turn off the device or start other operations until preparation is complete.

If the cartridge holder moves to the right

If the paper output cover remains open for more than ten minutes, the holder may move to the far-right position and the Alarm lamp may light up.

To return the holder:

1. Close the paper output cover.
2. Wait several seconds.
3. Open the cover again.
4. Wait until the holder moves to the replacement position.

Do not pull the holder by hand.

What you should not do with a FINE cartridge

• do not move the cartridge holder by force;
• do not touch the holder until it has stopped completely;
• do not try to open the cartridge holder cover manually;
• do not shake the cartridge;
• do not touch the electrical contacts;
• do not touch the print head nozzles;
• do not clean the contacts with abrasive materials;
• do not reattach the protective tape;
• do not leave a removed cartridge exposed to air for a long time;
• do not leave the multifunction printer without one of the two cartridges;
• do not install a cartridge in the wrong slot;
• do not continue printing for a long time after the ink has completely run out.

If the error appeared immediately after installing a new cartridge

Check the following in order:

1. Whether the protective tape was removed completely.
2. Whether the cartridge matches the exact multifunction printer model.
3. Whether the color cartridge is installed on the left.
4. Whether the black cartridge is installed on the right.
5. Whether the cartridge is inserted as far as it will go.
6. Whether the lever is raised until it clicks.
7. Whether both cartridges are installed.
8. Whether the paper output cover is completely closed.

If a new compatible cartridge is installed correctly but errors 1403 or 1682 appear, test another new cartridge or request diagnostics.

If the multifunction printer prints using only one cartridge

MG3600 series may temporarily use the remaining black or color ink. However, both FINE cartridges must physically remain in the holder.

Do not remove the empty cartridge or leave its slot empty. Otherwise, an error will appear and printing will be blocked.

Print quality may be lower when operating with only one type of ink, so replacing the empty cartridge is recommended.

When a service center is required

Request diagnostics if:

• error 1401 remains when both cartridges are installed correctly;
• a new compatible cartridge displays code 1403 or 1682;
• the cartridge cannot be secured by the locking lever;
• the lever is broken or does not click into place;
• the cartridge holder does not move to the replacement position;
• the cartridge holder cover does not open automatically;
• the recognition error appears with several suitable cartridges;
• damage to the holder or internal contacts is visible;
• another hardware error appears after installing a new cartridge.