Canon support code C000 (printer error, carriage or ink tank position)
Support code C000 is a printer error on PIXMA models with individual ink tanks that most often means an ink tank is not seated correctly, the carriage could not complete its movement, or paper or a foreign object is in the carriage path. Canon lists it as 'printer error has occurred' with the advice to remove the protective material, check the tanks and restart.
What causes it
- An ink tank sitting slightly high and catching on the printer frame as the carriage moves
- Paper jam or torn paper under the carriage
- Orange tape or packing material left inside
- Print head lock lever not fully lowered
- Carriage belt or motor problem
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 and open the cover
Power down, lift the top cover and check the carriage area with a flashlight for paper, tape or objects. Remove anything found.
Press each ink tank down
Push on the front of every tank until it clicks and its LED lights when the printer is on. A tank sitting high is the single most common cause of C000.
Check the print head lock lever
The lever that holds the print head must be fully forward and down. If it is not, the head sits high and the tanks cannot seat.
Move the carriage by hand
With the printer unplugged, slide the carriage left and right. It should move freely. If it catches at a point, look for the cause there.
Check the paper path
Remove the cassette and rear cover and look for jammed paper. Clear it and refit the covers.
Power on and test
Close the cover, plug in and turn on. If the error clears, print a nozzle check. If C000 returns, reseat the print head itself and try again.
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
Why does C000 appear right after I changed an ink tank?
The new tank is not pushed fully down or its orange cap is still on. Remove it, check the cap, and press it in until it clicks.
Is C000 a print head failure?
Usually not. It is a positioning or obstruction error. Print head failures show as B200 or the 1401 family.
Can I print in black only with C000?
No. The printer stops all printing until the error is cleared.
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