Canon Printer Error E16 — Ink Cartridge Empty or Not Installed

Canon error E16 indicates one or more ink cartridges are empty or not properly installed, preventing the printer from operating. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: E16 means the printer has determined a cartridge is empty based on its page count estimate. Canon printers track ink usage by counting dots printed, not by measuring actual ink. The counter may report empty while ink remains, especially with third-party cartridges. Replacing the specific empty cartridge is required — Canon printers will not print with any cartridge empty. Some models allow black-only printing when color cartridges are empty. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: One or more ink cartridges reached the printer's estimated empty threshold. Cartridge not fully seated in its slot. Cartridge protective tape not fully removed. Cartridge ink level chip reporting empty. Genuine cartridge empty from normal use. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: Check the printer display or Canon software to identify which specific cartridge is empty. Replace the empty cartridge with a new one — ensure it clicks into place. If recently replaced: remove cartridge, verify all protective tape and covers are removed, reinstall. For refilled cartridges: use a chip resetter to reset the ink level counter. If you want to print in black only: check your model's manual for black-only print mode. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

This article is part of our Printer Error Codes collection on Error Codes Wiki. We provide comprehensive, up-to-date information to help you find solutions quickly.