Canon PIXMA TS3100 series lights: what each pattern means
22 light patterns of the Canon PIXMA TS3100 series, from Canon’s own online manual TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs. Inkjet, two FINE cartridges, with a small segment LCD that shows an error code (E or P and two digits) next to the Alarm lamp.
The lights on this printer
- ON lamp
- Alarm lamp
- Black Ink lamp (upper)
- Color Ink lamp (lower)
- LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code)
Our own schematic drawing, not Canon’s panel layout: the lights are in the order Canon’s guide lists them. Where Canon does not give a light’s colour, it is drawn filled in the text colour.
Color or Black Ink lamp lit
Color Ink lamp (lower) on. Colour not stated by Canon.
The ink is running low.
What Canon says to do
- Get a new ink cartridge ready. Print quality may suffer if you keep printing.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — Checking the Ink Status with the Ink Lamps on the Operation Panel (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Color or Black Ink lamp flashing, with the Alarm lamp flashing
Color Ink lamp (lower) blinking; Alarm lamp blinking. Colour not stated by Canon.
An ink error has occurred; the error code is on the LCD.
What Canon says to do
- Read the error code on the LCD and find it below.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — Checking the Ink Status with the Ink Lamps on the Operation Panel (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E02 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E02”. 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 1000
The printer is out of paper, or the paper is not loaded properly.
What Canon says to do
- Load paper in the rear tray and align the paper guide with the stack.
- Select the paper size with the Paper Select button, then press OK.
Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1000.
One side is printed and you are doing manual two-sided printing (support codes 3442 to 3445).
What Canon says to do
- Get ready to print the other side, following the instructions on the computer screen.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E03 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E03”. 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
- If paper is left inside, pull it out slowly with both hands and close the cover.
- Press OK. 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 while feeding from the rear tray.
What Canon says to do
- Pull the paper out slowly with both hands, from the output slot or the rear tray, whichever is easier.
- Reload paper and press OK; reprint the page if it did not print properly.
Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1300.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E04 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E04”. Colour not stated by Canon.
Support code 168A
A FINE cartridge is not installed properly, or one not compatible with this printer is installed.
What Canon says to do
- Open the cover, remove the FINE cartridges, check they are the right ones for this printer, and push each one up until it clicks.
- Close the cover.
Canon’s own page for this code: support code 168A.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E05 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E05”. Colour not stated by Canon.
Support code 1401
A FINE cartridge cannot be recognised (support codes 1401, 1403, 1430, 1485).
What Canon says to do
- Check that each FINE cartridge is installed properly, is the right cartridge, and is compatible with the printer; install the right cartridge.
- Canon’s page for 1401 adds: if the error stays, the cartridge may be damaged; contact a Canon service center.
Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1401.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E08 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E08”. Colour not stated by Canon.
Support code 1700
The ink absorber is almost full (support codes 1700, 1712, 1714).
What Canon says to do
- Press OK to keep printing.
- Contact a Canon service center to request a repair.
Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1700.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E09 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E09”. 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
- Retract the output tray and its extension and remove the protective material and tape from the holder.
- Close the cover. If that does not help, contact a Canon service center.
Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1890.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E11 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E11”. Colour not stated by Canon.
Printing cannot be performed with the current print settings (support codes 4102, 4103).
What Canon says to do
- Change the print settings, then print again.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E12 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E12”. Colour not stated by Canon.
Support code 4100
The specified data cannot be printed (CREATIVE PARK PREMIUM content).
What Canon says to do
- Check 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: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E13 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E13”. Colour not stated by Canon.
Support code 1686
The ink may have run out: the printer has detected an issue with one or more cartridges.
What Canon says to do
- To keep printing or copying, press and hold the Stop button for at least 5 seconds: this turns off the ink-level detection for the cartridge with the issue, and it prints until the ink is used up (quality may drop).
- Or open the cover and replace that cartridge. Canon recommends new, genuine Canon cartridges.
Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1686.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E14 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E14”. Colour not stated by Canon.
Support code 1684
The ink cartridge cannot be recognised: it may not be installed properly or may not be compatible.
What Canon says to do
- Install the right ink cartridge. Press Stop to cancel printing.
Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1684.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E15 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E15”. Colour not stated by Canon.
Support code 1682
The FINE cartridge cannot be recognised.
What Canon says to do
- 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: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E16 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E16”. Colour not stated by Canon.
Support code 1688
The ink has run out: the printer has detected that one or more cartridges are empty.
What Canon says to do
- To keep printing or copying, press and hold the Stop button for at least 5 seconds: this turns off the ink-level detection for the cartridge that is empty, and it prints until the ink is used up (quality may drop).
- Or open the cover and replace that cartridge. Canon recommends new, genuine Canon cartridges.
Canon’s own page for this code: support code 1688.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E31 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E31”. Colour not stated by Canon.
Wireless LAN setup failed.
What Canon says to do
- Press the Black or Color button to clear the error.
- If you used WPS, check the security settings and set up again, or use another setup method.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E32 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E32”. Colour not stated by Canon.
No wireless router was found during setup.
What Canon says to do
- Press the Black or Color button to clear the error, then run the wireless LAN setup again.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E33 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E33”. Colour not stated by Canon.
It cannot connect because several wireless routers are trying to connect to the printer.
What Canon says to do
- Press the Black or Color button, wait about 2 minutes, and run the wireless LAN setup again.
- If that fails, see the router’s own manual.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Alarm lamp lit, E38 on the LCD
Alarm lamp on; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “E38”. Colour not stated by Canon.
It cannot connect to the wireless router, or the LAN settings cannot be changed.
What Canon says to do
- Press the Black or Color button to clear the error.
- Check that the printer’s wireless LAN is on, the right router is selected, and the SSID and passphrase are correct; then turn the router off and on again.
- LAN settings cannot be changed while the LAN is in use.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
ON and Alarm lamps flash alternately, P02 on the LCD
ON lamp flashing alternately; Alarm lamp flashing alternately; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “P02”. Colour not stated by Canon.
Support code 5100
A printer error has occurred.
What Canon says to do
- Cancel printing and turn the printer off.
- Check that nothing (the stabiliser, jammed paper) stops the FINE cartridge holder moving, and that the cartridges are pushed up until they click. Do not touch the clear film inside.
- Turn it back on. If that does not help, contact a Canon service center.
Canon’s own page for this code: support code 5100.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
ON and Alarm lamps flash alternately, P07 on the LCD
ON lamp flashing alternately; Alarm lamp flashing alternately; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “P07”. Colour not stated by Canon.
Support code 5B00
A printer error has occurred (support codes 5B00, 5B12, 5B14).
What Canon says to do
- Contact a Canon service center to request a repair.
Canon’s own page for this code: support code 5B00.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
ON and Alarm lamps flash alternately, P03, P08, P09, P20, P22 or P26 to P29 on the LCD
ON lamp flashing alternately; Alarm lamp flashing alternately; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “P03”. Colour not stated by Canon.
A printer error has occurred (support codes such as 5011, 5012, 5200, 6000, 6500 and 6800 to 6946).
What Canon says to do
- Turn the printer off and unplug it. Plug it back in and turn it on.
- If that does not help, contact a Canon service center to request a repair.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
ON and Alarm lamps flash alternately, P10 on the LCD
ON lamp flashing alternately; Alarm lamp flashing alternately; LCD (copies, maintenance code or error code) on; display shows “P10”. Colour not stated by Canon.
A printer error has occurred that needs a repair (support codes B202 to B205).
What Canon says to do
- Turn the printer off and unplug it.
- Contact a Canon service center to request a repair.
Source: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs (Canon), checked 2026-09-29.
Close models without a page of their own
These models’ tables repeat this one, so they are answered here; the differences Canon’s own page shows are listed.
- Canon PIXMA TS3300 and TS3400 series — Their manuals list the same error codes, E02 to E65, with the same support codes as the TS3100 series. The differences are small: E05 says to check that the colour FINE cartridge is on the left and the black on the right; E08 adds support codes 1701, 1713 and 1715; the TS3300 lists P03 on its own, and the TS3400 adds P06 and P34 to the “turn off, unplug, then contact Canon” group. ij.manual.canon Checked 2026-09-29.
Other Canon printers
The same light can mean something else on another Canon family, so check the model name on your printer.
Sources
Canon’s own pages only, read on the date shown. Nothing here comes from third-party “printer codes” sites.
- Canon: TS3100 series Online Manual — An Error Occurs — PIXMA TS3100 series. ij.manual.canon Checked 2026-09-29.
- Canon: TS3100 series Online Manual — Operation Panel — PIXMA TS3100 series. ij.manual.canon Checked 2026-09-29.
- Canon: TS3100 series Online Manual — Checking the Ink Status with the Ink Lamps on the Operation Panel — PIXMA TS3100 series. ij.manual.canon Checked 2026-09-29.
Find a pattern by which light and how it blinks, on any brand →