1687
Canon Printer
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
Canon error 1687 means the printer has detected that one or more installed ink cartridges may not be genuine Canon brand cartridges. This warning appears when the printer's chip reader detects a cartridge it does not recognize as original. The printer is not broken — it is warning you about ink that may affect print quality or print head longevity. You can usually bypass this warning and continue printing by pressing the Stop/Reset button once.
Affected Models
- Canon PIXMA MG2522
- Canon PIXMA TS3322
- Canon PIXMA MX922
- Canon PIXMA TR4520
- Canon PIXMA MG3620
Common Causes
- A third-party or generic ink cartridge is installed instead of a genuine Canon cartridge
- A refilled genuine Canon cartridge with a reset chip is installed
- A cartridge with a cloned Canon chip is installed
- The genuine cartridge chip was damaged and is not reading correctly
- Ink level data on the chip does not match Canon's expected format
How to Fix It
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When error 1687 appears on the screen or printer LCD, press the Stop/Reset button once. On most Canon PIXMA models, this acknowledges the warning and lets printing continue.
You may need to press Stop/Reset each time you start a new print job until you replace the cartridge with a genuine one.
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If print quality is acceptable and you understand the limitations of third-party ink, you can continue using the cartridge. However, consider that third-party inks may clog print heads faster, reduce color accuracy, and produce prints that fade sooner.
Canon does not cover print head damage caused by third-party ink under warranty.
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If you want to eliminate the warning permanently, replace the third-party cartridge with a genuine Canon cartridge. The 1687 message will not appear with genuine cartridges in good condition.
Genuine Canon cartridges are available at office supply stores, electronics retailers, and Canon's website.
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If a genuine Canon cartridge shows error 1687, clean the cartridge contacts and the carriage contacts with a dry lint-free cloth. A dirty contact can confuse the chip reader.
If cleaning does not help, the genuine cartridge may be defective — return it for a replacement.
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Check that the cartridge is properly seated. Remove it and press it back in firmly until it clicks. A cartridge that is almost clicked in may not make proper chip contact.
The chip reader contacts are very small — even a slight seating angle can cause a misread.
When to Call a Professional
Error 1687 is a user-level situation, not a mechanical fault. No technician visit is needed unless genuine Canon cartridges continue to show this error — in that case, a cartridge chip reader or contact issue may be present. A Canon service center can inspect the carriage contacts if genuine cartridges repeatedly fail recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep using my third-party ink after seeing error 1687?
Yes — pressing Stop/Reset acknowledges the warning and allows printing to continue. However, third-party inks vary significantly in quality. Poor-quality inks can clog the print head nozzles, which is expensive to repair. If print quality degrades, switch to genuine Canon cartridges.
Will error 1687 permanently damage my Canon printer?
The warning itself does not cause damage. What can cause damage over time is low-quality third-party ink that clogs or corrodes the print head. If you use reputable third-party cartridges with good reviews, the risk is lower — but Canon does not guarantee print head performance with non-genuine ink.
Is error 1687 the same on all Canon printers?
The meaning is consistent across Canon PIXMA models — it always means a potentially non-genuine cartridge was detected. The way you dismiss the warning (usually Stop/Reset once) is also similar across models, though the exact button label may vary.