You sent a document to your Canon PIXMA TS6420a, but instead of printing it flashed a cartridge error and refused to do anything. The most common version of this is Support Code 1430, which Canon labels "FINE cartridge cannot be recognized." Because the TS6420a is a cartridge-based all-in-one (it uses two replaceable Canon FINE cartridges rather than refillable ink tanks), this kind of recognition fault almost always comes down to how a cartridge is seated, what is still stuck to it, or whether the right cartridge is even installed. The good news is that most TS6420a owners clear it in a couple of minutes without any tools, and the fixes below run from the easiest and safest first to the official reset and service path last.
Why the TS6420a Says It Cannot Recognize a Cartridge
Your printer reads a small set of electrical contacts on each FINE cartridge to confirm it is present and valid before it will print. When those contacts are dirty, covered, not making proper contact, or attached to a cartridge the printer considers wrong or missing, it stops the job and posts a numbered Support Code on the operation panel.
Knowing which code you see narrows the cause quickly. Support Code 1430 means "FINE cartridge cannot be recognized," 1401 means "FINE cartridge is not installed," and 1403 or 1485 means "Appropriate ink cartridge is not installed," which points to a wrong or incompatible cartridge rather than an empty slot. Keep an eye on the exact number as you work through the steps below, because it tells you which fix to focus on.
Power Cycle and Reseat the FINE Cartridge First
For the "FINE cartridge cannot be recognized" condition (Support Code 1430), Canon's first official action is simply to remove the FINE cartridge and reinstall it. A reseat re-establishes the electrical contact, which is frequently all the recognition fault needs.
- 1.Confirm the printer is turned on.
- 2.Open the scanning unit/cover so the FINE cartridge holder moves to the replacement position.
- 3.Lift the ink cartridge locking cover to open it, then take the cartridge out.
- 4.Push the same cartridge firmly back into its slot.
- 5.Close the ink cartridge locking cover and push it fully until you hear a click.
- 6.Close the scanning unit/cover.
The click matters; if the locking cover is not pressed down until it clicks into place, the contacts may not line up and the error can return.
Check for Leftover Orange Protective Tape
New cartridges ship with a strip of orange protective tape, and if any of it is left covering the contacts or nozzle, the printer cannot read the cartridge. Canon's TS6400-series ink guidance is direct on this point. Check that there is no orange tape left on the FINE cartridge, and if any orange tape remains, peel it off.
With the cartridge out, look closely at the underside and the contact area. Peel away any remaining tape gently, then reinstall the cartridge as described above. This is one of the most common reasons a freshly installed cartridge is not recognized.
Avoid the Contacts and Nozzles When Reinstalling
How you handle the cartridge during reinstallation is just as important as seating it. Canon warns not to touch the electrical contacts (A) or the print head nozzle (B). Touching them can leave residue or cause damage so the printer may not print or recognize the cartridge at all.
Hold the cartridge by its body, set it into the correct slot, then close the ink cartridge locking cover to secure the FINE cartridge, pushing it fully until you hear a click. Position matters too: the color FINE cartridge goes on the left and the black on the right. If you accidentally touched the contacts earlier, that alone could have triggered the recognition error.
Make Sure Both Cartridges Are Installed in the Right Slots
The TS6420a will not print unless both the black and the color FINE cartridges are present. If the panel shows Support Code 1401, "FINE cartridge is not installed," the printer is telling you a slot is empty.
Install the missing cartridge so that both slots are filled, color FINE cartridge on the left and black on the right. Even if you only intended to print in black, the color cartridge still has to be seated for the printer to operate, so do not leave either slot open.
Confirm You Are Using a Compatible Canon Cartridge
If you see Support Code 1403 or 1485, "Appropriate ink cartridge is not installed," the issue is not a missing cartridge but a wrong or incompatible one. The printer detected something in the slot that it does not accept.
The TS6420a uses Canon PG-260 for black and CL-261 for color, and each is available in a standard and an XL version. Install the appropriate FINE cartridge for the slot, and double-check the part numbers on the cartridge box against PG-260 and CL-261 before installing, which saves a lot of guesswork here.
Update the Printer Firmware
Keeping firmware current can resolve how the printer handles and recognizes cartridges, so it is worth updating if the reseating steps did not stick. The printer must be connected to the Internet for this, and it will restart on its own when finished.
- 1.From the HOME screen, press OK.
- 2.Select Device settings.
- 3.Select Firmware update.
- 4.Select Install update, then confirm and choose Yes.
- 5.Wait for the update to complete and the printer to restart.
If your TS6420a is offline, reconnect it to your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network first, since the update download depends on an active Internet connection.
Replace the FINE Cartridge With a New One
If reinstalling does not clear the error, Canon states the FINE cartridge itself may be damaged and the next step is to replace the FINE cartridge with a new one. A cartridge with worn or faulty contacts will keep failing recognition no matter how carefully you reseat it.
- 1.With the printer on, open the scanning unit/cover so the FINE cartridge holder moves to the replacement position.
- 2.Lift the ink cartridge locking cover and remove the old cartridge.
- 3.Take the new FINE cartridge out of its package and remove the protective tape (C) gently.
- 4.Insert it into the correct slot, color on the left and black on the right, without touching the electrical contacts or print head nozzle.
- 5.Close the ink cartridge locking cover and push it fully until you hear a click.
- 6.Close the scanning unit/cover.
Using a genuine Canon PG-260 or CL-261 (standard or XL) as the replacement keeps you clear of the incompatible-cartridge codes covered earlier.
Reset Printer Settings, Then Reach Canon Support
If the cartridge still is not recognized after reinstalling and replacing it, you can return the printer to its defaults before escalating. From the operation panel, press OK, select Device settings, then Reset setting. You can choose Web service setup only, LAN settings only, Settings only, or Reset all, where Reset all sets all settings you made to the printer back to the default.
Be aware that Reset all erases every setting you configured, including network settings, and returns them to factory defaults, so you will likely need to reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi and set it up again afterward through the Canon PRINT app. If the recognition error persists even after reinstalling, replacing the cartridge, and resetting, Canon's final instruction is to contact your nearest Canon service center for repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Support Code 1430 mean on my PIXMA TS6420a
Support Code 1430 is Canon's official error for "FINE cartridge cannot be recognized." It means the printer cannot read the cartridge's contacts, so Canon's first recommended action is to remove the FINE cartridge and reinstall it, making sure the locking cover clicks shut.
Which cartridges does the TS6420a use
The TS6420a uses two Canon FINE cartridges, PG-260 Pigment Black and CL-261 Color. Both come in standard and XL versions. The color cartridge installs in the left slot and the black cartridge in the right.
Can I print with only the black cartridge installed
No. The TS6420a will not print unless both the black and the color FINE cartridges are installed. If a slot is empty, the panel shows Support Code 1401, "FINE cartridge is not installed," until you fit the missing cartridge.
Why is a brand new cartridge not being recognized
The most common reason is leftover orange protective tape over the contacts or nozzle. Remove the cartridge and check that no orange tape remains, peeling off any that is left, then reinstall it without touching the electrical contacts or print head nozzle.
How do I check my ink levels and update firmware
Use the Canon PRINT app on iOS/iPadOS 16.0 or later or Android 7.0 or later to check consumable (ink) levels. To update firmware, go to the printer's HOME screen, press OK, then Device settings, then Firmware update, then Install update; the printer must be online and will restart when the update finishes.
