Canon Printer Error E74 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Canon Error E74 indicates a problem with the print head — specifically a print head temperature error. The printer monitors the temperature of the print head and stops printing if it gets too hot or if the temperature sensor gives an unexpected reading. This protects the print head from heat damage. Allowing the printer to cool down and then restarting usually resolves a one-time E74.

Affected Models

Canon PIXMA Pro-100
Canon PIXMA Pro-10
Canon PIXMA iX6820
Canon PIXMA iP8720
Canon imagePROGRAF TA and TX series

Common Causes

Print head has overheated from extended continuous printing at high coverage
Print head temperature sensor has failed or is giving incorrect readings
Blocked ventilation around the printer causing heat buildup
Ambient temperature in the room is very high, contributing to print head overheating
Print head is clogged and the printer is running excessive cleaning cycles, generating heat

How to Fix It

Power off the printer and let it sit for at least 30 minutes to cool down. Do not cover it during cooling — allow air to circulate freely around the printer.

The print head in inkjet printers generates significant heat during extended printing sessions, especially for high-ink-coverage documents and photos.
Check the printer's location. Make sure it is not in direct sunlight, near a heater, or inside a closed cabinet with no ventilation. Move it to a cooler, more open location if needed.

Inkjet print heads require ambient temperatures below 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) for reliable operation.
After 30 minutes, power the printer back on and run a small test print — a single page of text rather than a large photo. Check if E74 reappears.

If the printer completes the test page without error, the problem was simply overheating from a long print session.
If printing large photo jobs, break them into smaller batches with rest periods between runs. Give the print head 5 to 10 minutes to cool down between batches of 20 to 30 pages.

This prevents thermal stress on the print head and extends its lifespan significantly.
If E74 appears immediately when printing even small jobs, run a print head cleaning cycle from the printer's maintenance menu. A clogged print head causes the printer to repeatedly re-fire nozzles, generating extra heat.

If cleaning cycles are very frequent, consider a deep cleaning or print head replacement if the clogging is severe.

When to Call a Professional

If cooling and restarting does not resolve E74, or if it appears at the start of every print job, the print head temperature sensor or the print head itself may need replacement. Print heads are expensive — $50 to $250 depending on the model. Contact Canon support before purchasing a replacement head to confirm the diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I damage my Canon print head by printing for too long?

Yes. Continuous high-coverage printing — especially photos or graphics with heavy ink use — generates significant heat. Canon print heads are designed for intermittent use, not continuous industrial printing. E74 is Canon's way of protecting the print head from heat damage by stopping the job before the head reaches a dangerous temperature.

Is E74 common on Canon Pro photo printers?

It appears more often on the Canon Pro-100 and Pro-10 when printing large batches of full-bleed photos. These printers use a lot of ink per page, which increases heat generation. Breaking large print runs into batches of 20 to 25 pages helps prevent E74.

Will E74 permanently damage my print head?

In most cases no — the printer's thermal protection circuit prevents heat damage by stopping printing before the head reaches dangerous levels. However, repeated thermal stress over time can shorten print head lifespan. If E74 appears frequently, reduce your print batch sizes.