Canon Printer Error Code 1500 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error 1500 on a Canon printer means the print head temperature is outside the safe operating range. The printer will pause printing to protect the print head from heat damage. This usually happens during long, demanding print jobs on warm days or in warm rooms.

Affected Models

Canon PIXMA Pro-100
Canon PIXMA Pro-10
Canon PIXMA MG7700 Series
Canon PIXMA MX920 Series
Canon PIXMA MG6600 Series

Common Causes

Printing a very large number of pages in a single print job without breaks
The room temperature is above 35°C (95°F), reducing the printer's ability to cool itself
The printer's ventilation slots are blocked by paper, books, or a wall
Printing at maximum quality with all print heads firing at maximum intensity
A malfunctioning cooling system or failed temperature sensor inside the printer

How to Fix It

Stop printing and let the printer sit idle for 15 to 30 minutes to cool down.

Do not turn the printer off — let it idle. The fan continues running during idle to cool the print head.
Check that nothing is blocking the ventilation slots on the sides and back of the printer.

The printer needs at least 4 inches of clearance on all sides for adequate airflow. Move it away from walls if needed.
Move the printer to a cooler location if the room is very warm. Canon printers are rated for operation between 15°C and 30°C (59°F to 86°F).

Printing in a hot garage or near a heater vent significantly increases the chance of thermal errors.
After the printer has cooled, resume printing. If you have a large job, split it into smaller batches with 5-minute breaks between them.

This gives the print head time to cool between batches and prevents the thermal error from recurring.
If error 1500 appears at normal room temperature without heavy printing, try performing a print head cleaning from the printer's maintenance menu.

A clogged print head can cause localized overheating. A cleaning cycle may resolve the temperature issue.

When to Call a Professional

In most cases, error 1500 clears on its own after a short cool-down period. If the error appears immediately at startup even when the printer is cool and well-ventilated, the temperature sensor may be faulty. A Canon technician can diagnose and replace the sensor if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will error 1500 damage my printer if I ignore it?

Potentially, yes. High temperatures can shorten the life of the print head significantly. The error exists specifically to prevent damage — so let the printer cool down when it asks you to. Continually forcing the printer to print through thermal warnings accelerates print head failure.

How hot does a printer's print head get during normal printing?

During normal operation, inkjet print heads can reach temperatures of 150°C to 200°C (300°F to 390°F) at the nozzle level. This is normal and controlled. Error 1500 triggers when the overall print head assembly temperature rises above a safe threshold.

Does error 1500 clear automatically or do I have to press a button?

On most Canon models, error 1500 clears automatically once the printer cools to a safe temperature. The printer will resume the print job or be ready for the next one without any button press needed. If it does not clear after 30 minutes, power cycle the printer.