Canon printers are known for being extremely reliable, as they rarely suffer from technical malfunctions. However, when they do, it can leave you feeling frustrated and helpless.
Luckily, most errors that Canon printers encounter can be solved using simple, at-home solutions.
Do you currently find yourself in a situation where you’re wondering, “How do I clear a canon printer error?” This article will outline everything you need to know about getting your Canon printer out of its error state and successfully running again.
Contents
What Causes a Canon Printer Error State?
If your Canon printer gives you an error (and you’re stuck trying to clear it), it simply means that, for some reason, your printer is unable to respond to your requests. Your Canon printer can end up in an error state for many reasons, including:
- Cables and wires that are not correctly connected or are no longer working properly
- Corrupted printer drivers
- Lack of an internet connection
- Malware or another virus attack
- Recent computer upgrades
When one of these errors occurs, it disrupts the communication between your computer and printer and forces your printer into an error state. When your Canon printer is experiencing an error, you will be alerted through either:
- A troubleshooting notification on your computer
- An Error Code on your printer control panel
- A Support Code (similar to an error number) on your control panel.
If you are experiencing a general error in which an Error Code or Support Code is not specified, you can find solutions in our other article, Printer in Error State. However, if the Error Code or Support Code is listed, you can likely find solutions in the table below.
Canon Printer Errors – How do I clear a Canon Printer Error?
Canon printers all utilize the same Error Codes and Support Codes. The table below outlines the primary Error Codes and Support Codes that you may encounter on your Canon printer, as well as the cause of the error and the solutions you can use to restore your printer.
| Error Code | Support Code | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| E02 | 1000 3442 3443 3444 3445 | Printer is out of paper. This error message may also occur if you are printing manual duplex and the first side of printing is complete. | If the printer is out of paper: -Reload the paper in the tray -Make sure the paper guide is aligned and the paper is properly inserted -If your printer has multiple paper trays, select "Paper Select" on the printer panel and select the correct paper size for the tray you refilled. -Reprint your document. If you are completing manual duplex printing: -Follow the instructions on the computer screen to reload paper and print the second side of your document. |
| E03 | 1203 1300 | The printer cover is open or you have a paper jam. | If the printer cover is open, close the cover and restart the print job. Make sure you don't open or close the cover while you are printing, as it can harm the printer. If you have a paper jam: -If the paper is inside the printer, slowly pull out the jammed paper with both hands. -Press the "Okay" button on the printer panel to resume printing. |
| E04 | 168A | Ink cartridge is not installed properly. | Open the cover and remove the ink cartridges. Make sure the cartridges are compatible with the printer. If they are compatible, align the cartridge and push it into place until you hear a click, then reclose the cover of your printer. Print a printer test page to ensure the cartridges are properly aligned. |
| E05 | 1401 1403 1430 1485 | Ink cartridge is not recognized. | This error is most common when you are using generic ink cartridges or ink cartridges that are not compatible with your printer. Check that your ink cartridge is properly installed and is compatible with the printer. Once you have a compatible cartridge installed, print a printer test page to ensure the cartridges are properly aligned. |
| E08 | 1700 1712 1714 | Ink absorber is almost full. | The ink absorber is responsible for absorbing ink when cleaning is performed. Press okay to continue printing. If your ink absorber is full, your printer will require service. Many printers qualify for ink absorber replacements through Canon. Contact the Canon Support Center to determine your service options. |
| E09 | 1890 | The protective material or tape may still be attached to the ink cartridge. | When you purchase your ink cartridge, the area that deposits ink will be covered with a clear protective covering to prevent leakage. Remove the cartridges from your computer and ensure this cover has been removed from your ink cartridges. Reinstall the ink cartridges and press "okay" on your printer panel. |
| E11 | 4102 4103 | Unable to print with current print settings. | Update the print settings (such as the orientation, paper size, and margins) and try again. |
| E12 | 4100 | Specified data cannot be printed. | Check that ink cartridges are properly installed. Check your toner or ink levels by running a printer test page. If you are still experiencing an error, you ink cartridges may not be able to print some of the colors on your document. Update the color pallet of your document and retry. |
| E13 | 1686 | Your printer is out of ink. | Replace your ink cartridge. However, if you are in a pinch and need to print one last document on these failing ink cartridges, press the printer's "stop" button for five seconds to disable the ink level warning. This is not recommended, as it can harm your printer. However, it will allow you to print in a pinch. |
| E14 | 1684 | Ink cartridge is not recognized. | This error is most common when you are using generic ink cartridges or ink cartridges that are not compatible with your printer. Check that your ink cartridge is properly installed and is compatible with the printer. Once you have a compatible cartridge installed, print a printer test page to ensure the cartridges are properly aligned. |
| E15 | 1682 | Ink cartridge is not recognized. | This error is most common when you are using generic ink cartridges or ink cartridges that are not compatible with your printer. Check that your ink cartridge is properly installed and is compatible with the printer. Once you have a compatible cartridge installed, print a printer test page to ensure the cartridges are properly aligned. |
| E16 | 1688 | Your printer is out of ink. | Replace your ink cartridge. However, if you are in a pinch and need to print one last document on these failing ink cartridges, press the printer's "stop" button for five seconds to disable the ink level warning. This is not recommended, as it can harm your printer. However, it will allow you to print in a pinch. |
| E23 | 3446 | IP address and subnet mask are conflicting. | Press the "okay" button on your printer panel. Disable the wireless direct or change your wireless network configuration, then reprint. |
| E31 | N/A | Failed in wireless setup. | Press the printer's "black" or "color" button to resolve the error. |
| E32 | N/A | Cannot find a wireless router during setup. | Press the printer's "black" or "color" button to resolve the error. Ensure that wireless internet is available, then perform the wireless setup again. |
| E33 | N/A | Cannot connect because multiple wireless routers are connecting to the printer. | Press the printer's "black" or "color" button to resolve the error. Wait two minutes, then perform the wireless setup again to choose the wireless router you wish to connect to. |
| E34 | 3440 | Easy Wireless Connect has failed. | Press the printer's "okay" button to resolve the error, then retry the Easy Wireless Connect. If the printer is still unable to connect to a wireless router, follow directions on your printer panel to manually connect to a wireless router. |
| E36 | 3441 | Easy Wireless Connect has failed. | Press the printer's "okay" button to resolve the error, then retry the Easy Wireless Connect. If the printer is still unable to connect to a wireless router, follow directions on your printer panel to manually connect to a wireless router. |
| E37 | N/A | Failed in wireless setup. | Press the printer's "black" or "color" button to resolve the error. |
| E38 | N/A | Cannot connect to a wireless router and/or cannot change the wireless settings. | Press the printer's "black" or "color" button to resolve the error. Check that the printer's wireless connection is enabled, the correct wireless router is selected, the password you entered is correct, and the specified network name (SSID) is correct. If the above is all correct, turn the wireless router off and turn it on again. |
| E39 | 495A | Network error has occurred. | Turn the printer off and back on. Check the printer's wireless connection and network settings. |
| E45 | N/A | Printer cannot connect to network. | Press the printer's "okay" button to resolve the error. Check the wireless connection and network settings. Resolve the wireless connection by following the prompts on your printer panel. |
| E46 | N/A | Printer cannot connect to the internet | Press the printer's "okay" button to resolve the error. Check the wireless connection and network settings. Resolve the wireless connection by following the prompts on your printer panel. |
| E47 | N/A | Printer cannot connect to the server. | Press the printer's OK button to resolve the error. If you are using Google Cloud Print, it is possible that your printer is not registered. Make sure your printer is registered. |
| E48 | N/A | Printer cannot connect to the server. | Press the printer's "okay" button to resolve the error. Let the printer sit idly for at least two minutes, then retry your print job. |
| E49 | N/A | Printer is unable to connect to the Internet because the network connection is being prepared. | Press the printer's "okay" button to resolve the error. Let the printer sit idly for at least two minutes, then retry your print job. |
| E50 | N/A | Printer failed to acquire contents. | Press the printer's "okay" button to resolve the error. Let the printer sit idly for at least two minutes, then retry your print job. |
| E51 | N/A | Printer cannot connect to the server. | Press the printer's "okay" button to resolve the error. Let the printer sit idly for at least two minutes, then retry your print job. |
| E52 | N/A | Printer was not registered to Google Cloud Print because it timed out. | Press the printer's "okay" button to resolve the error. |
| E53 | N/A | Information registered to the printer has been deleted because it was unable to connect with Google Cloud Print. | Press the printer's Black or Color button to resolve the error. Delete registered information of Google Cloud Print from your computer or smartphone. |
| E54 | N/A | Information registered to the printer has been deleted because it was unable to connect with IJ Cloud Printing Center. | Press the printer's "black" or "color" button to resolve the error. Delete registered information of IJ Cloud Printing Center from your computer or smartphone. |
| E55 | N/A | The printer is already registered to IJ Cloud Printing Center. | Press the printer's "black" or "color" button to resolve the error. Delete registered information of IJ Cloud Printing Center and register the printer again. |
| E56 | N/A | The online service is not available in your region. | Press the printer's "black" or "color" button to resolve the error. To inquire about services in your area, you can contact the Canon Support Center. |
| E57 | 2900 | Scanning print head alignment sheet has failed. | Press the printer's "okay" button and check the following: -The print head alignment sheet is set in the correct position and orientation on the glass surface. -The glass and the print head alignment sheet are both clean. -The correct paper has been loaded in the printer. -The print head nozzle isn't clogged. Check the print head condition by printing a printer test page. Once you have checked the above conditions, restart the alignment process. |
| E58 | N/A | You cannot start copying before you register the paper size. | Specify the paper size and start copying. |
| E59 | 2114 | Paper settings for printing do not match paper information on printer. | Press the "stop" button on the printer control panel to cancel printing. When you select "print" on your computer, check that the paper size selected matches the paper you have in your paper try. Retry printing. |
| E61 | 3412 | Scanning original has failed. | Press "okay" on the printer control panel. Make sure that the original is placed facedown on the glass and in the correct orientation. Once the original is properly set, retry scanning or copying. If the error message continues to appear, specify the size of the original. |
| E62 | N/A | An unexpected error occurred while scanning was in progress. | Press the "black" or "color" buttons on the printer to resolve the error. Retry your scan job. |
| E63 | N/A | You have reached the upper limit of pages that can be saved in a file. | Press the "black" or "color" buttons on the printer to resolve the error. Save the remaining pages of your document to a different file. |
| E64 | N/A | Scanning original has failed. | Press "okay" on the printer control panel. Make sure that the original is placed facedown on the glass and in the correct orientation. Once the original is properly set, retry scanning or copying. If the error message continues to appear, specify the size of the original. |
| E65 | N/A | Saving scanned data has failed because the printer's memory is full. | Press the "black" or "color" buttons on the printer to resolve the error. Reduce the resolution and rescan the original or reduce the number of pages you are scanning at one time. |
| P02 | 5100 | Printer error has occurred. | Cancel your print job and turn off the printer. Ensure that the ink cartridges are properly installed. Turn your computer back on and print a printer test page to check that ink cartridges aren't blocked or out of ink. Retry your print job. |
| P07 | 5B00 5B12 5B14 | Printer error has occurred. | Cancel your print job and turn off the printer. Ensure that the ink cartridges are properly installed. Turn your computer back on and print a printer test page to check that ink cartridges aren't blocked or out of ink. Retry your print job. If the error message continues, contact the Canon Support Center. |
| P10 | B202 B203 B204 B205 | Printer error has occurred. | Cancel your print job and turn off the printer. Ensure that the ink cartridges are properly installed. Turn your computer back on and print a printer test page to check that ink cartridges aren't blocked or out of ink. Retry your print job. If the error message continues, contact the Canon Support Center. |
| P03 P08 P09 P20 P22 P26 P27 P28 P29 | 5011 5012 5050 5200 6000 6500 6800 6801 6900 6901 6902 6910 6911 6930 6931 6932 6933 6936 6937 6938 6940 6941 6942 6943 6944 6945 6946 | Printer error has occurred. | Turn off your printer, unplug it, and let it sit for at least two minutes. Plug in your printer and turn it back on. Retry your print job. If you are still unable to print, contact the Canon Service Center. |
*Many of the codes, causes, and solutions above were compiled from the Canon Support website. For anyone hoping to clear a Canon printer error, this should be a solid resource.
Finding Support for Canon Printer Error State
As noted, Canon recommends the troubleshooting solutions discussed throughout this article. If your printer is still experiencing an error (after trying the solutions above), we suggest searching for printer-specific answers (as your exact model number might reveal additional strategies). Or it would also be worth speaking to a representative at the Canon Support Center.
For more helpful printing techniques and tips, please visit https://printertesting.com.
