iP4500 error message

[ghaebich]

When I attempt to print, I receive:Support Code: 1401 A print head is not installed or the installed print head is not compatible with this printer.  Install an appropriate print head and close the cover of the printer.

The printer worked fine Saturday, I received a message that a software update was available for my printer, clicked OK to download and shut down for the evening.  Sunday I tried to print and received this error message.  Any ideas?

[Canonbill]

I had the same problem (orange light flashing) that no amount of turning off and on again would cure. So I removed the inks and the print head, as described above in this thread. Inverting the head revealed a lot of waste ink - probably the cause of the 'incompatible print head' message that can appear when there is a blockage. To fix the problem apply a few drops of methylated spirit to both the black and colour nozzle areas, taking care not to touch them. This will gently dissolve the surplus ink that can be removed by dabbing a tissue on each of the ink cartridge seatings, where droplets will have formed, as the mixture of meths and ink work their way through the print head. Repeat several times, then replace the head and inks in the printer and leave overnight. Restart the printer and if necessary press the resume button, when the orange light will stop flashing and normal service will resume. If it doesn't, repeat the procedure, to remove any remaining ink residues. As meths is basically neat alcohol this is an ideal solvent and should not harm the intricate passageways of the print head, whilst dissolving any congealed ink that was causing the malfunction. Well worth trying, before rushing off to buy a new print head that costs more than a new printer!

[blakey]

Is it just me or is this printhead error a major concern, a quick google will show a litany of simmilar problems on various forums and such.

What is very disapointing is the total lack of options given from CANON to this problem and we are left with an almost insulting reply of "take the print head out and reset it".

I have been a devotee of CANON and reccomended and sold many hundreds of them over the years, I will probably be reconsidering this in the future.

It wouldn't be so bad if the printers concerned were the bottom of the range cheap models.

Customer Service................A Dying art.

[TTcruza]

Whats really going on with Canon.

i got the same stupid message :error 1401

Ive tried cleaning the old head with meth

and put back in - properly

no go

Ive injected solution through nozzles

put back in and the same - no go

Just because I cannot get a new canon to buy - (sad state of affairs)

that drives  PPC OSX 10.5.8 - I had to put out for a new head

just to be able to print from my mac

GUESS WHAT?!!!

I obviously wasted my money because

I still get that infernal message:error 1401

what to do next..

[Dianadives]

 receiving the message when i want to print a photo on my canon pixma4500 printer:

                                    "printer head not installed properly or printer head not recognized by printer"

 I have reinstalled this printer head and cartridges several times (they are new) and unplugged printer for a hour.  still no correction made....any other ideas?

[Patrick]

Hi Dianadives,

Because reseating the printhead did not clear the error, it is recommended that you call one of Canon's Technical Support Representatives. To contact a Technical Support Representative, please use the link below:

http://Canon.us/ContactLI