Canon PIXMA MG3000 series lights: what each pattern means

19 light patterns of the Canon PIXMA MG3000 series, from Canon’s own online manual MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs. Inkjet, two FINE cartridges, no display. Count the flashes before the lamp goes off, then find the number below.

Models covered, as Canon lists them: MG3010, MG3020, MG3022, MG3040, MG3050, MG3051, MG3052, MG3053, MG3060, MG3070, MG3077, MG3070S, MG3077S, MG3080, MG3090.

1. ON lamp lit

   ON lamp on. Colour not stated by Canon.

   The printer is ready to print.

   Canon’s page gives no step for this.

   Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — Operation Panel (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

2. ON lamp flashing

   ON lamp blinking. Colour not stated by Canon.

   The printer is getting ready to print, or printing is in progress.

   Canon’s page gives no step for this.

   Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — Operation Panel (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

3. Color or Black Ink lamp lit

   Color Ink lamp on. Colour not stated by Canon.

   The ink is running low.

   What Canon says to do

   1. Get a new ink cartridge ready. Print quality may suffer if you keep printing.

   Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — Checking the Ink Status with the Ink Lamps on the Operation Panel (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

4. Alarm lamp flashes 2 times

   Alarm lamp blinking; 2 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

   Support code 1000

   The printer is out of paper, or the paper is not loaded properly.

   What Canon says to do

   1. Load paper in the rear tray and align the paper guide with the stack.
   2. Press the printer's Black or Color button.

   Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1000.

   Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

5. Alarm lamp flashes 3 times

   Alarm lamp blinking; 3 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

   Canon gives 2 causes for this pattern; the message on the computer or the printer software tells them apart.

   Support code 1203

   The cover was opened while printing was in progress.

   What Canon says to do

   1. If paper is left inside, pull it out slowly with both hands and close the cover.
   2. Press Black or Color. The printer ejects a blank sheet and resumes from the next page; it does not reprint the page that was printing.

   Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1203.

   Support code 1300

   Paper is jammed in the paper output slot or the rear tray.

   What Canon says to do

   1. Pull the paper out slowly with both hands, from the output slot or the rear tray, whichever is easier.
   2. If it will not come out, turn the printer off and on again without forcing it; the paper may be ejected automatically.

   Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1300.

   Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

6. Alarm lamp flashes 4 times

   Alarm lamp blinking; 4 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

   Support code 168A

   A FINE cartridge is not installed properly, or a cartridge not compatible with this printer is installed.

   What Canon says to do

   1. Retract the output tray extension and the paper output tray, open the cover, and remove the FINE cartridges.
   2. Make sure they are compatible, reinstall them, and push each up until it clicks. Close the cover.

   Canon’s own page for this code: support code 168A.

   Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

7. Alarm lamp flashes 5 times

   Alarm lamp blinking; 5 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

   Canon gives 3 causes for this pattern; the message on the computer or the printer software tells them apart.

   Support code 1401

   A FINE cartridge is not installed.

   What Canon says to do

   1. Install the FINE cartridge. If the error stays, the cartridge may be damaged: contact a Canon service center.

   Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1401.

   Support code 1403

   A FINE cartridge cannot be recognized.

   What Canon says to do

   1. Replace the FINE cartridge. If the error stays, it may be damaged: contact a Canon service center.

   Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1403.

   Support code 1485

   An appropriate ink cartridge is not installed.

   What Canon says to do

   1. Install a cartridge compatible with this printer. To cancel printing, press Stop.

   Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1485.

   Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

8. Alarm lamp flashes 8 times

   Alarm lamp blinking; 8 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

   Support code 1700

   The ink absorber is almost full.

   What Canon says to do

   1. Press Black or Color to continue printing.
   2. Contact a Canon service center to request a repair.

   Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1700.

   Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

9. Alarm lamp flashes 9 times

   Alarm lamp blinking; 9 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

   Support code 1890

   Protective material or tape may still be attached to the FINE cartridge holder.

   What Canon says to do

   1. Retract the output tray extension and paper output tray, and pull down the tape to remove the protective material.
   2. Close the cover if it is open. If that does not solve it, contact a Canon service center.

   Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1890.

   Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

10. Alarm lamp flashes 11 times

    Alarm lamp blinking; 11 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

    Canon gives 2 causes for this pattern; the message on the computer or the printer software tells them apart.

    Support code 4102

    The media type and paper size are not set correctly.

    What Canon says to do

    1. Press Stop to cancel, change the media type or paper size setting, and print again. For example, Glossy Photo Paper must be set to 4" x 6" (10 x 15 cm).

    Canon’s own page for this code: support code 4102.

    Support code 4103

    Printing cannot be performed with the current print settings.

    What Canon says to do

    1. Press Stop to cancel, change the print settings, and print again.

    Canon’s own page for this code: support code 4103.

    Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

11. Alarm lamp flashes 12 times

    Alarm lamp blinking; 12 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

    Support code 4100

    The specified data cannot be printed (CREATIVE PARK PREMIUM content).

    What Canon says to do

    1. Read the message on the computer, make sure genuine Canon FINE cartridges are installed properly for all colours, and print again.

    Canon’s own page for this code: support code 4100.

    Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

12. Alarm lamp flashes 13 times

    Alarm lamp blinking; 13 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

    Support code 1686

    Ink may have run out: the printer has detected an issue with one or more cartridges.

    What Canon says to do

    1. To keep printing or copying, hold the Stop button for at least 5 seconds; this turns off ink-level detection for that cartridge and quality may drop as the ink runs out.
    2. Or open the cover and replace the cartridge.

    Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1686.

    Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

13. Alarm lamp flashes 14 times

    Alarm lamp blinking; 14 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

    Support code 1684

    The ink cartridge cannot be recognized.

    What Canon says to do

    1. It may not be installed properly or may not be compatible: install the appropriate cartridge. To cancel printing, press Stop.

    Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1684.

    Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

14. Alarm lamp flashes 15 times

    Alarm lamp blinking; 15 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

    Support code 1682

    The FINE cartridge cannot be recognized.

    What Canon says to do

    1. Replace the FINE cartridge. If the error stays, it may be damaged: contact a Canon service center.

    Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1682.

    Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

15. Alarm lamp flashes 16 times

    Alarm lamp blinking; 16 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

    Support code 1688

    Ink has run out.

    What Canon says to do

    1. To keep printing or copying, hold the Stop button for at least 5 seconds; this turns off ink-level detection for that cartridge, and quality may drop.
    2. Or open the cover and replace the empty cartridge.

    Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1688.

    Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

16. ON and Alarm lamps flash alternately 2 times

    ON lamp flashing alternately; Alarm lamp flashing alternately; 2 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

    Support code 5100

    A printer error has occurred.

    What Canon says to do

    1. Cancel printing and turn the printer off.
    2. Make sure nothing (a stabilizer, jammed paper) stops the FINE cartridge holder moving, and that the cartridges are pushed up until they click. Do not touch the clear film.
    3. Turn the printer on. If that does not solve it, contact a Canon service center.

    Canon’s own page for this code: support code 5100.

    Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

17. ON and Alarm lamps flash alternately 7 times

    ON lamp flashing alternately; Alarm lamp flashing alternately; 7 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

    Support code 5B00

    A printer error has occurred (support codes 5B00, 5B01).

    What Canon says to do

    1. Contact a Canon service center to request a repair.

    Canon’s own page for this code: support code 5B00.

    Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

18. ON and Alarm lamps flash alternately 10 times

    ON lamp flashing alternately; Alarm lamp flashing alternately; 10 flashes, then off, repeating. Colour not stated by Canon.

    Support code B201

    An error requiring a repair has occurred (support codes B201 to B204).

    What Canon says to do

    1. Turn the printer off and unplug it.
    2. Contact a Canon service center to request a repair.

    Canon’s own page for this code: support code B201.

    Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

19. ON and Alarm lamps flash alternately, any other count

    ON lamp flashing alternately; Alarm lamp flashing alternately; a flash count other than those listed. Colour not stated by Canon.

    Support code 5011

    A printer error has occurred (support codes such as 5011, 5012, 5200, 6000).

    What Canon says to do

    1. Turn the printer off and unplug it.
    2. Plug it in again and turn it on. If that does not solve it, contact a Canon service center.

    Canon’s own page for this code: support code 5011.

    Source: MG3000 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.

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