Canon Printer Error E75 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Canon Error E75 indicates a print head malfunction — the printer detected a hardware problem with the print head itself. Unlike E74, which is a temperature issue, E75 means the print head is not communicating correctly with the printer's control board, or the head has a physical fault. The most common fixes are reseating the print head or replacing it entirely.

Affected Models

Canon PIXMA MG7720
Canon PIXMA MG6820
Canon PIXMA iX6820
Canon PIXMA Pro-100
Canon PIXMA MX920 series

Common Causes

Print head is not properly seated in its carriage — electrical contacts are not fully connected
Ink and dried residue on the print head's electrical contact pads is preventing a good connection
Print head has failed internally — a common failure on heavily used print heads
Foreign object or ink spill inside the carriage area is interfering with the head
Carriage/head contact pins on the printer side are bent, corroded, or damaged

How to Fix It

Power off the printer and open the top cover to access the print head carriage. Wait for the carriage to move to the access position — do not force it.

On most Canon PIXMA printers, opening the cover while the printer is powered on triggers the carriage to move to the center for access.
Lift the print head lock lever and carefully remove the print head from the carriage. Handle it by the sides — avoid touching the ink nozzles on the bottom or the electrical contacts.

Keep a paper towel handy. Print heads contain ink and will drip if tilted.
Inspect the gold-colored electrical contacts on the print head and the corresponding pins in the carriage. Look for dried ink, dust, or corrosion. Clean the contacts on the print head gently with a dry lint-free cloth.

Do not use water or alcohol on the electrical contacts. Use a dry cloth only. Even a tiny amount of moisture on the contacts can cause further errors.
Carefully inspect the contact pins in the printer carriage. If any are bent, try to gently straighten them with a toothpick. Do not use metal tools near the pins.

Bent carriage pins prevent reliable electrical contact and can cause E75 consistently until straightened.
Firmly reinsert the print head into the carriage, ensuring it seats fully and the lock lever clicks down securely. Close the cover and power on the printer. Allow it to complete its initialization cycle.

If E75 clears after reseating, poor contact was the cause. If E75 returns, the print head itself has failed and needs replacement.

When to Call a Professional

If reseating and cleaning the print head does not resolve E75, the print head likely needs replacement. Canon print heads for consumer PIXMA printers cost $30 to $100. For Pro series printers, print heads can be $100 to $250. Canon service centers can diagnose and replace the head quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Canon print heads last?

Canon print heads typically last the warranty period of the printer — usually 1 year. With moderate use (5 to 10 pages per day), a print head can last 3 to 7 years. Heavy daily use, letting the printer sit idle for long periods without use, and using third-party inks all shorten print head life.

Is E75 the same as the print head not being installed?

No. When the print head is completely missing, the printer usually shows E05 — print head not installed. E75 means the print head is present but has a malfunction. The distinction matters because E75 sometimes resolves with a cleaning and reseat, whereas E05 means the head is simply absent.

Can I use third-party inks with Canon PIXMA printers without triggering E75?

Third-party inks do not directly cause E75, which is a hardware error. However, poor-quality inks can leave more residue on the print head's nozzles and contacts over time. This buildup can contribute to communication failures that trigger E75 prematurely. Using Canon genuine ink extends print head life and reduces maintenance errors.