You went to print on your Canon MAXIFY GX5020 and the screen flashed a "not recognized" error, leaving the job stuck and the printer refusing to cooperate. Before you go hunting for a replacement ink cartridge, here is the important part. This MegaTank model does not use ink cartridges at all. It is a refillable ink-tank printer that takes GI-26 pigment ink bottles (167 ml for Black, 132 ml each for Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow) poured into built-in tanks, so a true "ink cartridge not recognized" error cannot happen on this machine.
What can show a "not recognized" message are two specific parts, the print head and the maintenance cartridge (model MC-G01). The print head is the component that fires ink onto paper, while the maintenance cartridge collects waste ink during cleaning. Canon assigns a support code to each condition, so note the number on your operation panel before you go further. Code 147C points to the print head ("Print head cannot be recognized correctly"), while code 1496 points to the maintenance cartridge ("The maintenance cartridge cannot be recognized"). Match your code to the right part first, then work down the list below, starting with the safest, fastest steps and ending with the official reset and Canon service path.
Turn the Printer Off and Back On
Many recognition errors are transient and clear with a simple power cycle. For most print-head support codes on this model (1401, 1403, 1405, 140B, 1434, and 147D), Canon's own listed first step is exactly that, "Turn off the printer and turn it back on."
Power the GX5020 down completely, wait a few seconds, then switch it back on and let it finish its startup routine. If the error was a one-time glitch in how the printer read the part, restarting often resolves it before you need to open any covers.
Reseat the Print Head When You See Code 147C
Support code 147C on the GX5000 series and GX5020 reads "Print head cannot be recognized correctly," and Canon's remedy is straightforward, "Install the print head correctly." This usually means the print head is not fully or properly seated, so the printer cannot establish a clean connection with it.
- 1.Power the printer off if it is reporting the error.
- 2.Access the print head and confirm it is seated fully and squarely in its position, with no gap or misalignment.
- 3.Make sure it is installed correctly so the contacts line up as intended.
- 4.Close everything up and power the printer back on to see whether the code clears.
If the error returns and the code changes to one of the "Print head may be damaged" codes (1401, 1403, 1405, 140B, 1434, or 147D), follow the restart step above first. Persistent versions of those codes are addressed in the final section.
Remove and Reinstall the MC-G01 Maintenance Cartridge
If your error is code 1496, the message reads "The maintenance cartridge cannot be recognized. The maintenance cartridge may not be installed properly or may not be compatible with this printer." The fix is to reseat it correctly, and to confirm you are using a genuine, compatible MC-G01.
- 1.Turn the printer off.
- 2.Remove the coin screw from the maintenance cover.
- 3.Remove the maintenance cover.
- 4.Pull out the maintenance cartridge, keeping it upright so waste ink does not spill.
- 5.Insert the new or correct MC-G01 straight in until it stops.
- 6.Reattach the maintenance cover and secure it with the coin screw.
Power the printer back on afterward. Using the proper MC-G01 part is essential here, since an incompatible cartridge is one of the conditions Canon names for this code.
Run a Print Head Cleaning From the Operation Panel
If the part is recognized fine but your prints look streaky or faded, the issue is likely clogged nozzles rather than a recognition fault. The GX5020's built-in maintenance routine clears this without any disassembly.
- 1.Press the Setup button on the operation panel.
- 2.Select "Maintenance" and confirm with OK.
- 3.Select "Cleaning" and confirm with OK.
- 4.If two cleanings do not improve things, run "Deep Cleaning" instead.
Cleaning requires space in the maintenance cartridge, so make sure MC-G01 is not full. Print a nozzle check after the cleaning to confirm the nozzles are firing properly again.
Install the Latest Firmware
Outdated firmware can cause communication and recognition quirks that no amount of reseating will fix. Updating the GX5020's firmware brings it back in line with Canon's current handling of the print head and maintenance cartridge.
On the printer, go to the Setup menu > Device settings > Firmware update > Install update, then follow the on-screen instructions to perform the update. Keep the printer powered and connected throughout so the update completes cleanly.
Clear an Offline or Stuck Print Queue on Windows
Sometimes the printer is fine and the problem is on your computer, where the GX5020 shows as offline or jobs pile up without printing. Clearing the queue and confirming the printer is not set to offline usually restores normal printing.
On Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > select the printer > Open print queue. Clear stuck jobs via the "..." (ellipsis) > "Cancel all," and make sure "Use Printer Offline" is not selected.
On Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > select printer > Open queue > Printer menu > Set As Default Printer, then uncheck "Pause Printing" and "Use Printer Offline" if either is selected. Confirm the printer is on the same network as your computer before you retry.
Reconnect Over Wi-Fi Using the 2.4 GHz Band
The GX5020 supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g/a/n), and connection drops sometimes come down to which band the printer is paired to. Routers often assign different SSIDs to each band, which can trip up the connection.
If the printer will not connect or keeps dropping off, Canon's manual advises connecting to your wireless router's 2.4 GHz band and matching the printer's SSID to the 2.4 GHz SSID. You can run this setup through the Canon PRINT app (iOS 16.0 or later, Android 7.0 or later) or directly from the printer's operation panel.
Reset the Printer Settings or Request Canon Service
When errors persist through every step above, resetting the printer's settings gives you a clean baseline. Go to the Setup menu > Device settings > "Reset setting" and choose the scope you need.
Select "LAN settings" to clear only the network configuration, which is the lighter option if your trouble is connection-related. Choose "All data" to return all settings to default. Be aware this is a destructive step, as it restores the default administrator password and wipes the configuration you have entered, so back up or note your network details first. The display language, print head position, cumulative usage count, and SSL or TLS CSR are not reset by this process.
If a print-head support code (1401, 1403, 1405, 140B, 1434, or 147D) keeps appearing even after you restart the printer, Canon's guidance is to contact your nearest Canon service center to request a repair. These codes signal that the print head may be damaged, which is beyond what reseating or cleaning can address. Canon U.S.A. MAXIFY support is available toll-free at 1-844-4-MAXIFY (1-844-462-9439). Have your model name and the exact support code ready so the representative can route you quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my GX5020 say a cartridge is not recognized if it uses ink bottles?
The MAXIFY GX5020 is a refillable MegaTank printer that uses GI-26 pigment ink bottles poured into built-in tanks, so it has no ink cartridges to recognize. A "not recognized" error on this model actually refers to the print head (support code 147C) or the maintenance cartridge MC-G01 (support code 1496), not ink.
What does support code 147C mean on the GX5020?
Code 147C reads "Print head cannot be recognized correctly," and Canon's remedy is to install the print head correctly. Reseat the print head so it is fully and properly installed, then power the printer back on.
Which maintenance cartridge does the GX5020 use?
It uses the Maintenance Cartridge MC-G01. If you see code 1496, the cartridge may be installed improperly or be incompatible, so reseat a genuine MC-G01 by removing the coin screw and maintenance cover, pulling the old one out upright, and inserting the new one straight until it stops.
How do I fix a print head that looks recognized but prints poorly?
Run a cleaning cycle from the operation panel by pressing Setup, selecting "Maintenance," then "Cleaning." If two cleanings do not help, run "Deep Cleaning," then print a nozzle check to confirm the results. Cleaning requires space in the maintenance cartridge.
When should I contact Canon instead of troubleshooting further?
If a print-head code (1401, 1403, 1405, 140B, 1434, or 147D) persists after turning the printer off and back on, Canon advises contacting your nearest service center for a repair. You can reach Canon U.S.A. MAXIFY support at 1-844-4-MAXIFY (1-844-462-9439).
