Canon 1688 Error
What it means
An ink tank is empty or reporting empty. The printer stops to avoid printing without ink. Replacing or, where supported, resetting the reported tank clears it.
Guides that cover this kind of fault
A guide written for 1688 itself is still being checked against the manufacturer's documentation. These cover the same underlying problem and are filed under ink & toner.
- Printer Ink Drying Out: Causes and How to Prevent CloggingPrinter ink dries out when solvents evaporate from exposed nozzles due to infrequent use or leaving the printer unplugged. To fix this, run a standard...
- Third-Party Ink Cartridge Not Recognized: Causes and FixesClean the electrical contacts on the cartridge chip with a lint-free cloth and reseat the cartridge to restore communication. If the issue persists,...
- Canon 1688 Error: Meaning and How to Bypass ItCanon error 1688 indicates that an ink tank is empty or the printer cannot read the remaining ink level. You can typically bypass this warning and...
Common questions
What does the 1688 error mean on a Canon printer?
An ink tank is empty or reporting empty. The printer stops to avoid printing without ink. Replacing or, where supported, resetting the reported tank clears it.
Is the 1688 error serious?
Not usually. Codes at this level normally clear once the condition they describe is dealt with, and a printer that carries on working afterwards has nothing further wrong with it.
Different code or problem?
Switch off and unplug a printer before reaching inside it. If a fault involves the power supply or internal electronics, or the machine is under warranty, contact the manufacturer or a qualified technician. Full disclaimer. Brand and code names are trademarks of their owners; PrinterFixUp is independent and unaffiliated.