What this means

Error 1660 means your printer cannot detect an ink tank, halting all print operations. This usually happens right after you replace a cartridge because the printer cannot read the electrical signal.

You do not have a ruined printer or a dead part. Most of the time, the tank is not pushed down all the way. Check for a piece of protective orange plastic tape still stuck to the bottom, which blocks the electrical contacts. Putting a cartridge into the wrong color slot or using certain third-party and refilled cartridges also triggers this recognition failure.

The machine simply needs a clean connection between the metal contacts on the tank and the pins inside the carriage.

Common causes

  • Ink tank is not pushed down firmly until it clicks
  • Protective orange tape or film was left on the ink tank contacts
  • Ink tank chip is dirty or contaminated with ink residue
  • Using non-genuine or refilled cartridges with incompatible chips
  • Ink tank is inserted into the wrong color slot
  • Cartridge electrical contacts inside the carriage are bent or damaged
  • Temporary communication glitch in the printer logic board

What to check first

  1. 1Check which specific ink tank the printer screen identifies as missing
  2. 2Look closely at the bottom of the affected cartridge for forgotten packaging materials

Step-by-step fix

  1. 1

    Open the printer cover

    Lift the printer top cover or scan unit to access the printhead carriage and ink tanks.

  2. 2

    Remove the affected ink tank

    Gently lift up or squeeze the tab on the reported ink tank to remove it from the carriage.

  3. 3

    Inspect for orange protective tape

    Ensure all orange plastic wrap, tape, or film has been completely removed from the bottom and sides of the tank.

    Leaving protective tape on blocks the electrical contacts and can trap ink.

  4. 4

    Reinsert and click into place

    Push the ink tank straight down into its slot until you hear a distinct click and it sits level with neighboring tanks.

  5. 5

    Check the tank LED light

    Look at the small red LED light on the front of the ink tank. A slow flash or solid light indicates proper seating, while rapid flashing indicates an error.

  6. 6

    Clean the electrical contacts

    Wipe the gold metal contact chip on the ink tank with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth to remove any fingerprints or ink smudges.

    Unplug the printer before cleaning contacts inside the carriage area.

  7. 7

    Verify correct color positioning

    Check that the ink tank is placed in the exact matching color slot designated on the printhead holder.

  8. 8

    Power cycle the printer

    Turn the printer off, unplug the power cord for sixty seconds, plug it back in, and turn it on to reset the sensors.

When to contact a professional

Unplug your printer before you clean contacts or work inside. If you inspect the cartridge carriage and find bent or broken electrical pins, call a professional or Canon support. Reach out for help if multiple genuine Canon tanks keep throwing error 1660 despite clean contacts and correct seating. That points to an internal carriage or logic board failure.