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The Canon printer error E05 shows up mainly when the ink cartridge is dirty, not installed correctly, or not compatible with your printer. The dirtiness is usually a result of dried ink that accumulates internally when the printer is not in use for extended periods. You can fix the E05 error on your Canon printer following straightforward steps, which I will show you in this post.

Here are the solutions to get rid of the E05 error when you use your Canon printer. I recommend that you apply these solutions in the order in which I’ve laid them out.

I will elaborate on these solutions and provide answers to questions you may have on this issue.

The first step in troubleshooting the Canon printer error E05 is to reset the printer. With the printer ON, press and hold the Stop button for around 5 seconds until it starts rebooting.

Allow the printer to reboot completely, and you can now test it again to see if the error persists. If you keep getting the error E05, continue with the next solution.

Like most other devices, a factory reset brings the printer back to the default configuration in its original state. Factory resetting your Canon printer will fix the E05 error if it’s caused by misconfiguration. Here’s how to do it:

Power ON your Canon printer and go to the menu bar option. Using the arrow keys, go to Setup menu.

Next, navigate to Device settings and then hit the OK button. Finally, choose the Reset option and click on OK.

Allow the printer a moment to complete the factory reset and test to see if this has solved the problem.

The cartridge is responsible for reading instructions sent to the printer. Whether you use your printer often or once in a while, particles can form in it and cause the error you are experiencing now. It is a good practice to clean the ink cartridge regularly to prevent such issues.

To clean your Canon printer ink cartridge, power OFF the printer and place it on a flat surface and open the lid of the printer. Here, you will find an ink cartridge install. Use your fingers to press the two click-locks at the side of the cartridge holder simultaneously. This makes the ink cartridge come out easily.

Next, examine the ink cartridge for signs of debris, dried ink, dust, or any particles that can obstruct the cartridge. Using a lint-free material or soft tissue, clean the golden metallic strip on the front side of the cartridges and get rid of all the blocking particles.

After clearing the particles, you can now reinstall the ink cartridges you removed earlier and then reboot the printer.

Replacing the ink cartridge on your Canon printer is another way to fix the E05 error. This is because you might be using the wrong ink cartridge or the one installed is damaged.

When every other solution fails, you have to pay a visit to an electronics shop and purchase new ink cartridges for your printer.

Related: Fix Canon Printer Error 5C20.

The error code E05 you encounter on your Canon printer arises when the ink cartridge is dirty, incompatible with your printer, or not installed properly.

Here are the steps to clean your Canon ink absorber:

A simple reset is the first step in troubleshooting errors on your Canon printer. To do this, press and hold down the Power button for 10 seconds. This button could be named Stop, Reset, or Resume, depending on the printer model.

Keshi Ile is a seasoned technology expert who holds a Bachelors's degree in Electronics Engineering and a Master's in Digital Marketing. He runs several internet companies and contributes to technology blogs.