Fixing Your Canon Printer in an Error Mode. Many of the points and instructions in this article assume that you are using Windows 10 or Windows 11.
Are you having trouble with your Canon Pixma MG series printer going into an error state?
If it doesn’t print and you are getting error messages or flashing lights, these are called error codes. These tell us what the problem is. Very often, the problems are easy to resolve. Follow these steps to get your printer back in working order.
Contents of this help & support article:
Basic Troubleshooting
- Verify the Connections
- Have You Changed Your Router?
- Restart the Canon Printer
- Restart Your Computer
- Check for Updates
- Uninstall and Reinstall Your Canon Printer
- Refresh Spoolers
Canon Pixma MG Error Codes
Hard Reset
Basic Troubleshooting
Verify the Connections
The first step is to check the connections between your Canon printer and your computer. Ensure that the cables are properly connected and tightened. If you are using a wireless connection, make sure that the printer is properly connected to your home network and that the network settings are correct.
Have You Changed Your Router?
A question that I have often seen and a question that I’m often asked is “Why has my wireless printer suddenly stopped working? It hasn’t worked since I upgraded to my new router”.
Key to remember, your computer may be positioned right next to your printer on your desk. However if it connected wirelessly, remember that there is no direct line of communication between your computer and the printer.
The printer talks to your router. The computer talks to your router. The router is the communication hub that allows them to work together.
This same advice may also answer the question of “Why are the Wi-Fi signal strength bars so low on my printer when it sits right next to my laptop”? It’s because they both talk to the router (which may be three rooms away on another floor).
To resolve this, perform a Hard Reset on the printer. Instructions below.
Restart the Canon Printer
Sometimes, restarting the Canon printer is all that is needed to resolve the issue. Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source, and wait for a minute or two before plugging it back in and turning it on again. This can clear any temporary issues causing the error state.
Another unproven method is to disconnect the printer from the mains, press and hold the power button on the printer for 30 seconds, then reconnect the mains. This method is classed as unproven because it doesn’t appear in Canon’s documentation. But it’s worth a try.
Restart Your Computer
In some cases, restarting your computer can help resolve the issue. Restarting your computer can clear any temporary glitches that may be causing the Canon printer to go into an error state.
Check for Updates
There may be an update available for your Canon printer or for Windows 10 or Windows 11 that will resolve the issue. Check the Canon Support website (here is link to Canon UK Support Pixma MG Drivers) for any available updates, and install any that are available. Additionally, check for Windows updates by going to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Uninstall and Reinstall Your Canon Printer
If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the Canon printer on your computer. To do this, go to Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners. Select the printer, click on “Remove device,” and then follow the instructions to reinstall the Canon printer.
If you attempt to remove the printer from your computer and it gets stuck on “Remove Device”, please refer to instructions in this earlier article that I wrote.
Refresh Spoolers
If the problem is within the computer rather than the printer, refreshing (resetting) the print spoolers can fix many of these issues. I wrote this article back in 2016 on refreshing spoolers. There is a 2 minute video within the article demonstrating how to do this.
Contact Canon Support
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it may be time to contact Canon support for additional assistance. They will be able to provide more specific troubleshooting steps based on your Canon printer model and the issue you are experiencing.
I have always rated Canon’s customer support to be very good. During my 15 years as a computer retailer, on the very few times that we had to contact Canon, they were most helpful. I personally rate their customer support over their main rival printer manufacturers.
If you are reading this article in the UK, here is the contact page for Canon Support UK.
You may consider contacting the retailer that sold you the unit as most reputable retailers will be happy to either assist you or give you an official number to call.
Canon Pixma MG Series – List Of Error Codes & What They Mean
If there are flashing LED lights on your printer or if there is an error code on the digital display, this is a list of what the unit is telling you the problem is:
This list can help with common error codes and troubleshooting steps. Some of the issues can be resolved easily, some errors are more serious and will require support from a service engineer.
Printers without Digital Displays will display the errors with flashing LED lights:
- Flashing Orange (amber) Light: A problem with the printer’s ink cartridges.
- Flashing Green Light: A problem with the printer’s power source or a printer error.
- Flashing Orange (amber) and Green Lights: An error with the print head.
Printers with Digital Displays will display the errors as:
E13: The ink has run out. Replace the ink cartridge with a new one.
E14: The ink cartridges are not installed properly. Check that the cartridges are properly installed and try again.
E15: The ink cartridges are not recognized. This could be due to a problem with the cartridges, the printer, or the communication between the two. Try removing and reinstalling the cartridges or resetting the printer.
E16: A problem with the ink cartridge contacts has occurred. Clean the contacts on the cartridges and the printer and try again.
E17: The ink cartridges have been depleted. Replace the depleted cartridges with new ones.
E18: An error occurred with the paper feed. Check for any obstructions in the paper feed and remove them. If the problem persists, try resetting the printer.
E19: An error occurred with the paper feed or paper jam. Check for any paper that may be stuck in the printer and remove it. If the problem persists, try resetting the printer.
E22: A problem with the ink absorber has occurred. Check for any obstructions in the ink absorber and remove them. If the problem persists, try resetting the printer.
E23: An error occurred with the scanner. Check for any obstructions in the scanner and remove them. If the problem persists, try resetting the printer.
E24: An error occurred with the scanner. Check for any obstructions in the scanner and remove them. If the problem persists, try resetting the printer.
E27: The ink cartridges have been depleted. Replace the depleted cartridges with new ones.
E30: An error occurred with the adapter. Check the adapter for any damage or issues and try again.
E31: An error occurred with the adapter. Check the adapter for any damage or issues and try again.
E32: An error occurred with the adapter. Check the adapter for any damage or issues and try again.
E33: An error occurred with the adapter. Check the adapter for any damage or issues and try again.
E34: An error occurred with the adapter. Check the adapter for any damage or issues and try again.
E35: An error occurred with the adapter. Check the adapter for any damage or issues and try again.
E36: An error occurred with the adapter. Check the adapter for any damage or issues and try again.
U051: The ink cartridges are not installed correctly. Check that the cartridges are properly installed and try again.
U052: The ink cartridges are not installed correctly. Check that the cartridges are properly installed and try again.
U053: The ink cartridges are not installed correctly. Check that the cartridges are properly installed and try again.
U059: The ink cartridges are not installed correctly. Check that the cartridges are properly installed and try again.
B200: An error occurred with the printhead. Check the printhead for any damage or issues and try again.
B203: An error occurred with the printhead. Check the printhead for any damage or issues and try again.
B204: An error occurred with the printhead. Check the printhead for any damage or issues and try again.
Perform a Hard Reset (Factory settings out-of-box) on your Canon PIXMA MG Series Printer
Hard Reset Pixma MG Printer
- Remove Power
Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
- Hold Stop & On
Hold down the Stop/Reset button while pressing and holding the On button while reconnecting the power cable.
- Release Stop & Press Twice
Release the Stop/Reset button, then press it twice in a row.
- Release On
Release the On button.
These settings will work for the majority of Canon MG printers. Please refer to the users manual for your specific model if not successful. Link to full list of MG Series printers.
Beware of Scams
By searching the internet for printer support or drivers, many of the listed search results will be scammers claiming to be the customer support service.
Conclude
To wrap up, fixing a Canon printer in an error state on Windows can often be a straightforward process, involving checking connections, restarting the printer and computer, checking for updates, and uninstalling and reinstalling the Canon printer.
If the problem is more serious and requires the attention of a service engineer, the first thing to check is purchase date. If the unit is out of warranty, this could be a costly process. Often the cost of shipping to have it sent away to a certified Canon Support centre can outweigh the cost of a new printer.
Check with your local computer repair shop to see if they can carry out these repairs.
About The Author & This Article
I have no direct affiliation with Canon. I owned a High Street computer shop for over 15 years dealing with sales and repairs. Of all the mainstream home-printer manufacturers, I’d probably recommend Canon over any other.
That said, this article is non-affiliated, therefore there are no affiliate links to “buy now”.
The information on this site I understand to be correct in 2023. If you discover otherwise, please contact me and I’ll get this post updated.
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