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1660

Canon PIXMA TS8300 support code 1660: ink tank not recognized

Verified with sources1 sourceReviewed Oct 19, 2026
Technician coming? See the 2 steps they must show you
Inkjet multifunction printer
Dinkun ChenCC BY-SA 4.0Image source
Trace

Evidence linked to this decision

View source: Canon PIXMA TS8300 support code 1660

Risk level

Medium

Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.

Urgency

Medium

Quick answer

Support code 1660 on a Canon PIXMA TS8300 series printer means an ink tank cannot be recognized because it is missing, not seated, or incompatible. Open the scanning unit / cover, check that every slot has the matching ink model snapped firmly in place, or tap Stop to cancel printing.

Safety first

Stop and check this first

  • Do not hold the print head holder to stop or move it forcibly, do not touch it until it stops completely, and never touch the metallic parts or other parts inside the printer while checking ink tanks for code 1660.
  • If you remove an ink tank to check it, replace it immediately and do not leave the printer with an ink tank removed, because leaving tanks out causes drying and prevents proper operation.

Safe checks you can perform

  • Open the scanning unit / cover and check that all ink tank slots are filled
  • Verify each ink tank matches the holder label and snaps firmly into place
  • Compare the tank designation against the printer's Ink model number screen

Leave these tasks to a qualified professional

  • Do not attempt this professional task: Exchange an incompatible or unrecognized new ink tank with the consumable retailer
  • Do not attempt this professional task: Have authorised Canon service test the print head holder when genuine tanks fail recognition

What a technician must be able to justify

Technician visit

These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.

These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.

  1. Exchange an incompatible or unrecognized new ink tank with the consumable retailer

    What they doIf the Ink model number screen shows that the purchased tank is not compatible with your TS8300 series printer, or if a new matching tank fails recognition immediately out of the box, bring the tank and photos to the retailer.

    They must show youthe photo of the printer's Ink model number screen alongside the tank code and support code 1660.

    In writingthe exact compatible Canon ink model number supplied in exchange and the credit or replacement receipt.

  2. Have authorised Canon service test the print head holder when genuine tanks fail recognition

    What they doWhen all slots contain brand-new, compatible Canon ink tanks snapped into their matching label positions and support code 1660 still appears upon closing the scanning unit / cover, refer the printer to authorised Canon service.

    They must show youa live recognition test with a complete set of compatible ink tanks after the repair.

    In writingthe diagnostic finding on the print head holder contacts and the part number of any component replaced.

Before accepting a part or repair

Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.

Follow these steps

Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.

  1. Open the scanning unit / cover and check that all ink tank slots are filled

    No special tools

    Who:
    You can inspect the print head holder directly on the printer.
    How:
    If you want to cancel the active job first, tap Stop on the printer; otherwise keep the printer turned on, open the scanning unit / cover, and wait until the print head holder moves to the replacement position and stops completely.
    Result that matters:
    Whether every slot in the print head holder contains an ink tank or if any slot is empty.
    If any slot in the print head holder is empty, that confirms why support code 1660 appeared because the TS8300 series cannot print unless all ink tanks are installed.
    If all slots contain ink tanks, that rules out a missing tank and points to slot position, seating, or ink model compatibility.
    Evidence to keep:
    Take a photo of the print head holder showing all installed ink tanks and their labels.

    Evidence: Canon PIXMA TS8300 support code 1660 · Replacing Ink Tanks (Canon PIXMA TS8300)

  2. Verify each ink tank matches the holder label and snaps firmly into place

    No special tools

    Who:
    You can check tank alignment and seating without tools while the holder is in the replacement position.
    How:
    Compare the color code on each ink tank against the label on the print head holder, and press on the top of each ink tank until it snaps firmly into place; if the cover was open for more than 10 minutes and the holder moved right, close and reopen the cover first.
    Result that matters:
    Whether any tank was sitting in the wrong color slot or clicked down further when pressed on top.
    If a tank was in the wrong position or loose and 1660 disappears after re-seating it one by one and closing the cover, that confirms a seating or slot-mismatch issue.
    If every tank is in the matching label slot and snapped down firmly yet 1660 remains after closing the cover, that isolates the problem to an incompatible tank model or a tank recognition failure.
    Evidence to keep:
    Note which color slot was adjusted and photograph the touch screen after closing the scanning unit / cover.

    Evidence: Canon PIXMA TS8300 support code 1660 · Replacing Ink Tanks (Canon PIXMA TS8300)

  3. Compare the tank designation against the printer's Ink model number screen

    No special tools

    Who:
    You can verify the approved ink numbers on the touch screen and tank label.
    How:
    On the HOME screen select Hint, tap Estimated ink levels, and select Ink model no. to display the Ink model number screen, then compare those numbers with the code printed on the unrecognized ink tank.
    Result that matters:
    Whether the installed cartridge designation matches the exact ink model numbers listed by the printer.
    If the number on the ink tank does not match the Ink model number screen, that confirms an incompatible ink tank caused support code 1660.
    If a brand-new genuine Canon tank with the exact model number listed on the screen still triggers 1660, that rules out user consumable selection and points to a faulty tank contact or print head holder sensor.
    Evidence to keep:
    Save a photo of the Ink model number screen next to the label of the installed ink tank.

    Evidence: Canon PIXMA TS8300 support code 1660 · Checking Ink Status on the Touch Screen (Canon PIXMA TS8300)

Still not solved

If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.

Virtual technician

Does 1660 still appear after these checks?

This guided flow uses the exact code and your answers to choose a test, an expected result and the next branch.

Where this code applies

A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.

Primary scope

System
Printers
Brand
Canon
Product type
Inkjet printer

Known code variants

  • Canon 1660
  • Canon TS8300 1660
  • code support PIXMA 1660
  • codice supporto PIXMA 1660
  • código asistencia PIXMA 1660
  • PIXMA support code 1660
  • PIXMA Supportcode 1660

What it means

Canon's official TS8300 series documentation assigns support code 1660 when the printhead carriage cannot recognize one or more ink tanks and blocks printing because an ink tank is not installed or is not compatible with the printer. The TS8300 series requires all ink tanks to be installed in the exact positions shown on the printhead holder label and pressed on top until each tank snaps firmly into place. Code 1660 alone does not prove a failed printhead or carriage board, since an empty slot, unseated tab, or wrong ink model number produces the same error.

Warnings and stop conditions

  • Mediumsource verified

    Do not hold the print head holder to stop or move it forcibly, do not touch it until it stops completely, and never touch the metallic parts or other parts inside the printer while checking ink tanks for code 1660.

    Evidence: Replacing Ink Tanks (Canon PIXMA TS8300)

  • Lowsource verified

    If you remove an ink tank to check it, replace it immediately and do not leave the printer with an ink tank removed, because leaving tanks out causes drying and prevents proper operation.

    Evidence: Replacing Ink Tanks (Canon PIXMA TS8300)

Symptoms and causes

Probable causes · in order

  • One or more ink tank slots left empty in the print head holderCommon

    Canon states that printing cannot be performed unless all the ink tanks are installed, so leaving any slot empty in the print head holder triggers support code 1660.

    Evidence: Canon PIXMA TS8300 support code 1660 · Replacing Ink Tanks (Canon PIXMA TS8300)

  • Ink tank installed in the wrong color slot or not snapped firmly into placeCommon

    You cannot print if an ink tank is installed in the wrong position on the print head holder label or if the top of the tank was not pressed until it snapped firmly into place.

    Evidence: Replacing Ink Tanks (Canon PIXMA TS8300)

  • Incompatible ink tank model installed for this TS8300 series printerPossible

    Canon's support code 1660 page notes that printing cannot be performed when the installed ink tank is not compatible with this printer model.

    Evidence: Canon PIXMA TS8300 support code 1660 · Checking Ink Status on the Touch Screen (Canon PIXMA TS8300)

Sources and technical references

  1. 1

    Canon PIXMA TS8300 support code 1660

    Canon PIXMA Manuals · 2019 · official_doc

Sources: Canon PIXMA TS8300 support code 1660reviewed 2026-10-19 · verified

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