Attention required Canon

Canon Error P08

What the code means · Diagnosis at a glance

Error P08 is a code shown on the LCD of Canon G2010 and G3010 series ink tank printers. Canon's "An Error Occurs" table for both series lists P08 next to support codes 5200, 5205 and 5206, with the cause "Printer error has occurred". Canon's G3010 page for support code 5200 says to perform these steps in order: check the remaining ink and refill the tanks if necessary, turn the printer off and unplug it, plug it back in and turn it on, perform print head Cleaning, then perform Ink Flush. Deep Cleaning is not required. If the error comes back, replacing the print heads may resolve it; if it still returns after that, Canon says to contact a service center for repair.

Jump to the fix ↓ Canon G3010 series online manual: support code 5200 ↗
Disconnect power firstTurn the printer off before you unplug it, then plug it back in and turn it on as Canon's procedure describes.
Ink can stainRefilling tanks and moving the printer can spill ink. Keep the printer level: Canon warns ink may leak if it is tilted.
Model-specificThe P08 mapping is verified for the G2010 and G3010 series. Other G-series models may use a different table, so check your own model's manual.
May need a technicianIf P08 survives a print head replacement, Canon's next step is a repair at a Canon service center.

Affected brands & models

Canon G2010 series (P08 listed with support codes 5200, 5205 and 5206)Canon G3010 series (P08 listed with support codes 5200, 5205 and 5206)Other Canon G-series models with an LCD error code: check the error code table in your own model's online manual

Diagnosis at a glance

Likely causes ranked, with severity and the recommended action.

Printer error reported as support code 5200 Attention Likelihood: Listed by Canon for P08Action: Follow Canon's 5200 order: ink check and refill, power cycle, Cleaning, Ink Flush
Printer error reported as support code 5205 or 5206 Attention Likelihood: Listed by Canon for P08Action: Note the support code on the computer screen and open that code's page in your model's manual
Error returns after the full 5200 procedure Attention Likelihood: If it recursAction: Replacing the print heads may resolve it, according to Canon
Error returns after the print heads are replaced Service Likelihood: If it still recursAction: Contact your nearest Canon service center to request a repair

What the code means

On the Canon G2010 and G3010 series, an error shows in two places: a message on the computer screen and an error code on the printer's LCD. Canon's manual adds that for some errors a support code (error number) also appears. P08 is the LCD code. The support code behind it is 5200, 5205 or 5206, and Canon's table gives the same one-line cause for all three: "Printer error has occurred."

Canon's G3010 page for support code 5200 is the detailed instruction. It asks you to perform every step in order and warns that changing the order or omitting steps may cause other problems. The steps start with ink (check the remaining level and refill the tanks if needed), move to a power cycle with the printer unplugged, and then to two maintenance routines: print head Cleaning followed by Ink Flush. Canon notes that no Deep Cleaning is required. The support code list for the G3010 series also includes 5205 and 5206 as separate entries, so if your computer shows one of those numbers, read that code's own page in your model's manual.

Most frequent causes

  • The printer has reported support code 5200, which Canon lists under P08 as "Printer error has occurred".
  • The printer has reported support code 5205 or 5206, which Canon also lists under P08.
  • Ink in one of the tanks may need refilling: checking the remaining ink is the first step Canon gives for 5200.
  • If the error survives the full procedure, Canon points to the print heads, which may need replacing.

Quick fix: try this first

  1. Look at the computer screen for the support code (5200, 5205 or 5206) shown with the message.
  2. Check the remaining ink level and refill the ink tanks if necessary.
  3. Turn the printer off, unplug it, plug it back in and turn it on.
  4. Run print head Cleaning, then Ink Flush. Deep Cleaning is not needed.

Step-by-step solution

0 / 8 done

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

Before you start

  • Note the exact support code shown on the computer (5200, 5205 or 5206), not only P08 on the LCD.
  • Open the online manual for your exact model series, since Canon publishes a separate error table for each series.
  • Have ink bottles for the right colors ready in case a tank needs refilling.

What not to do

  • ×Do not change the order of Canon's steps or skip any of them. Canon warns this may cause other problems.
  • ×Do not run Deep Cleaning for this error. Canon states it is not required.
  • ×Do not tilt the printer when moving it, because ink may leak out.
  • ×Do not unplug the printer while it is still on; turn it off first.

When to stop & call support

Stop and contact your nearest Canon service center if P08 returns after you have replaced the print heads. Canon's 5200 page treats that as a repair job. If you need to send or carry the printer in, keep it level so ink does not leak, and follow the manual's "Repairing Your Printer" section for transport.

If the error comes back

If P08 comes back after the full sequence (ink check, power cycle, Cleaning, Ink Flush), Canon's next suggestion for 5200 is replacing the print heads. If it reappears even with new print heads, the fault is no longer something the manual expects you to fix at home, and Canon directs you to a service center.

Related parts & consumables

Print headsCanon says replacing them may resolve 5200 if the error recurs after Cleaning and Ink Flush
Ink tanksCheck the remaining level and refill if necessary as the first step

Questions about Canon P08

What does error P08 mean on a Canon G3010?

Canon's G3010 series manual lists P08 as "Printer error has occurred", linked to support codes 5200, 5205 and 5206. The computer screen shows which of those numbers applies.

How do I fix Canon G2010 error P08?

The G2010 series table maps P08 to the same support codes (5200, 5205, 5206). Canon's 5200 instructions, published for the G3010 series, are: check and refill ink, turn the printer off and unplug it, plug it in and turn it on, run print head Cleaning, then Ink Flush. If your G2010 manual's 5200 page differs, follow your own model's page.

Is Canon error P08 the same as 5200?

P08 is the code on the printer's LCD and 5200 is one of the support codes shown on the computer for it. Canon also lists 5205 and 5206 under P08.

What is Canon error 5205?

On the G2010 and G3010 series, 5205 is one of the three support codes Canon lists for LCD error P08 ("Printer error has occurred"). It has its own entry in Canon's support code list, so open that page in your model's manual for its specific action.

Do I need Deep Cleaning to fix Canon error 5200?

No. Canon's G3010 page for 5200 says no Deep Cleaning is required. The routine is print head Cleaning followed by Ink Flush.

What if Canon P08 keeps coming back?

If it recurs after the full procedure, Canon says replacing the print heads may resolve it. If it recurs after the print heads are replaced, contact your nearest Canon service center to request a repair.

Where is the Canon G3010 error code list?

Canon's online manual has an "An Error Occurs" page that pairs each LCD error code with its support code, and a separate "List of Support Code for Error" index. Both are linked in the sources below.

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Related error codes

5200 Support code 5200, the computer-side code behind P08 P07 P07 printer error (support codes 5B00, 5B01) 5100 Support code 5100 (shown as P02 on G2010/G3010) E03 E03 paper jam (support code 1300)
See all error codes Canon ›