Canon support code 1890 (protective material or tape still attached)
Support code 1890 means the printer's carriage cannot move because the orange shipping tape or protective material is still attached to the FINE cartridge holder or carriage. It appears almost exclusively on a brand-new printer during first setup, or on a printer that was packed for moving with the carriage lock or tape reapplied.
What causes it
- Orange tape or plastic retainer left on the cartridge holder
- Protective material inside the paper output slot or under the scanning unit
- Carriage held by packing foam
- Cartridge holder lock lever not raised after installing cartridges
How to fix it, in order
Work down the list and stop when the printer recovers. The steps are ordered from most likely and least invasive to last resort.
Turn the printer off
Press the power button so the carriage is not trying to move while you inspect it.
Open the scanning unit or cover
Lift the cover fully. Look at the cartridge holder and the full width of the carriage rail for orange tape, plastic strips or foam. Remove every piece, including any tape at the far ends.
Check the output tray and rear
Pull out the paper output tray and check inside for packing material. Remove the tape from the rear tray and the rear cover as well.
Raise the cartridge lock lever
On FINE cartridge models make sure the lock lever is raised and clicked after the cartridges are installed. A lever left down blocks the carriage.
Close the cover and power on
Turn the printer on. It will move the carriage and initialise. If 1890 clears, continue the setup. If it returns, open the cover again and check under the carriage by sliding it gently with the printer off.
Stopping it happening again
When it is not worth fixing yourself
If you would rather not work through this alone, a printer specialist can take a look with you on a screen-share and tell you honestly whether the machine is worth saving.
Frequently asked questions
I removed all the tape and still get 1890. What did I miss?
Look for a small piece of clear or orange plastic on the carriage rail or a foam block under the cartridge holder. Also check the lock lever is raised.
Does 1890 appear on older printers?
Occasionally, after a printer has been moved and tape was reapplied to hold the carriage. Remove it and restart.
Can 1890 damage the printer?
Not by itself; the printer stops the carriage motor before it strains. Do not force the carriage against tape.
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