Canon Printer Error Code E13 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

The E13 error means one or more ink cartridges in your Canon printer are running low. The printer is warning you that ink will run out soon. You can continue printing for a while, but you should replace the cartridge soon.

Affected Models

Canon PIXMA TS3500 Series
Canon PIXMA TR4700 Series
Canon PIXMA TS5300 Series
Canon PIXMA MG3600 Series
Canon PIXMA MG2500 Series

Common Causes

One or more ink cartridges have reached a low ink level
The ink level sensor is misreading due to a dirty cartridge chip
A recently refilled cartridge does not have its ink counter reset
The printer's ink tracking system has not been reset after a cartridge swap
A third-party cartridge is reporting incorrect ink levels to the printer

How to Fix It

Press and hold the Resume or Stop button on the printer for about 5 seconds. This tells the printer to continue printing despite the low ink warning.

This temporarily bypasses the warning. The printer will continue until the ink actually runs out.
Check which cartridge is low. On the printer display or in the Canon printing software on your computer, look for the ink level indicator.

The low cartridge is usually shown with a blinking light or a nearly empty bar on screen.
Purchase a replacement cartridge. Check your printer manual or the label inside the cartridge cover for the correct cartridge model number.

Common Canon cartridge series include PG-245/CL-246, PG-275/CL-276, and PG-545/CL-546.
Open the top cover, wait for the carriage to move to the center, and press down on the empty cartridge to release it. Insert the new cartridge until it clicks.

Remove the protective tape from the new cartridge before inserting it.
Close the cover. The printer will take a minute to recognize the new cartridge and prime the ink system.

If the E13 error persists after replacing the cartridge, turn the printer off and back on.

When to Call a Professional

The E13 error does not require professional help. It is simply a low ink warning. Replace the cartridge yourself when you are ready — it is a quick and easy process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep printing after the E13 warning?

Yes. The E13 is a warning, not a hard stop. Press and hold the Resume button for 5 seconds to continue printing. Just be aware that print quality may decline and the cartridge could run out mid-page.

Are refilled ink cartridges a good alternative to buying new ones?

Refilled cartridges can save money, but they sometimes trigger errors because the ink counter does not reset. The print quality may also be slightly lower. If you want to save money, look for Canon's XL (high-yield) cartridges instead.

How many pages can I print after getting the E13 warning?

It varies depending on what you are printing and how low the ink is. Typically you can print another 20 to 50 pages of text. Photo printing and heavy graphics will use up the remaining ink much faster.