Attention required Canon

Canon Error 5100

What the code means · Diagnosis at a glance

Canon error 5100 (support code 5100) is a carriage error: the ink carriage cannot move across the printer as expected. The most common causes are a small piece of jammed paper, leftover orange packing/tape on a new printer, a cartridge that is not clicked fully into place, or a dirty or misread encoder strip. It is usually resolved at home once the obstruction is found.

Jump to the fix ↓ Canon official support ↗
Disconnect power firstUnplug the printer before reaching into the carriage path.
Safe to tryClearing an obstruction is safe and is the usual fix for 5100.
Do not open internal partsDo not scratch or bend the clear encoder strip. The printer needs it to track position.

Affected brands & models

PIXMA MG seriesPIXMA TS seriesPIXMA G (MegaTank) seriesMAXIFY series

Diagnosis at a glance

Likely causes ranked, with severity and the recommended action.

Paper scrap or debris blocking the carriage Attention Likelihood: Most likelyAction: Remove all obstructions from the carriage path
Cartridge or print head not fully seated Quick fix Likelihood: CommonAction: Reseat until it clicks
Encoder (timing) strip dirty or smeared Attention Likelihood: OccasionalAction: Wipe the clear strip clean and dry
Leftover packing tape on a new printer Quick fix Likelihood: On new unitsAction: Remove all orange tape/foam

What the code means

The carriage that holds the print head and cartridges slides on a rail and is tracked by a thin transparent encoder strip. If anything physically blocks the carriage, or the printer cannot read the strip, it reports 5100 and stops to avoid grinding the mechanism.

Because this is a mechanical/obstruction fault rather than a broken chip, finding and removing the blockage almost always clears it.

Most frequent causes

  • A torn piece of paper or foreign object is in the carriage path.
  • A cartridge or the print head is not seated correctly.
  • The encoder strip is smeared with ink or dust and is misread.
  • On a brand-new printer, orange shipping tape or foam was left inside.

Quick fix: try this first

  1. Turn the printer off, unplug it for about 5 minutes, then power on to clear a transient error.
  2. Open the cover and, with the carriage free to move, check thoroughly for paper scraps, tape or debris and remove them.
  3. Reseat every cartridge until it clicks, close the cover and retry.

Step-by-step solution

0 / 6 done

Tick each step as you go. Your progress is kept while you work.

Before you start

  • Have the printer on a flat, well-lit surface.
  • Keep a torch handy to see inside the carriage path.

What not to do

  • ×Do not force the carriage hard. Move it gently only.
  • ×Do not use alcohol or solvents on the encoder strip; use a dry cloth.

When to stop & call support

Stop if the carriage will not move even with no visible obstruction, if the strip is torn, or if 5100 persists after a thorough clean. These point to a mechanical fault that needs service.

If the error comes back

If 5100 comes back after cleaning, re-check the encoder strip (a smear you can barely see is enough) and the rail for a sticky spot. Repeated 5100 with no blockage suggests a worn carriage belt or motor and warrants service.

Related parts & consumables

Encoder (timing) stripCleaned, not usually replaced at home
Carriage beltService part if the rail binds

Questions about Canon 5100

I can’t see anything blocking the carriage, so why 5100?

A tiny paper fragment, a barely-visible smear on the encoder strip, or a cartridge not fully clicked in is often enough. Re-check the strip and reseat every cartridge.

Is 5100 the same as a paper jam?

It is related (a paper scrap in the carriage path is a common cause), but 5100 specifically means the carriage itself cannot move.

PrinterErrors editorial team

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Related error codes

B200 Print head voltage / failure 6000 Paper feed / pickup problem 5200 Print head error (check ink, clean the head)
See all error codes Canon ›