Why is my Canon PIXMA printing blank pages even with full ink?

Blank pages usually mean the print head nozzles are completely clogged with dried ink, the protective shipping tape is still blocking the air vents on the ink tanks, or the print head electrical contacts are not seated properly.

What does Support Code B200 mean on a Canon PIXMA?

Support Code B200 indicates a print head or power supply failure, often triggered when a print head overheats or suffers an electrical short. Reseating the print head occasionally fixes it, but it frequently requires replacing the print head or the printer.

How do I print a nozzle check directly from the printer without a computer?

On models with buttons and no LCD, hold down the Resume/Cancel button until the power lamp flashes white/green a specific number of times (typically twice on most models), then release it.

Printer Not PrintingWorth attentionAbout 15 min

Canon PIXMA Not Printing: Causes and Fixes

Quick answer

Check for orange alarm lights and specific error codes on the display, then verify that ink levels are sufficient and protective tape is removed. If the printer feeds paper but outputs blank pages, run a print head cleaning cycle or reseat the print head assembly. For printers that do not respond, restart both the printer and computer to clear stalled jobs in the print queue.

Published 23 August 2026

What this means

If your Canon PIXMA ejects blank pages, freezes in the queue, or refuses to feed paper, check the actual error code before assuming you ran out of ink.

PIXMA printers use thermal bubble jet technology. Depending on your model, you either have a removable print head locked down with a carriage lever, or a FINE cartridge that combines the head and ink reservoir into one unit.

Code 1688 does mean the ink is empty, but your issue might be completely different hardware trouble. Code 1401 means the printer cannot detect the print head. Code 5B00 tells you the internal ink absorber pad is full and requires service. Code B200 warns of a critical print head or voltage error.

Look at the lights on the machine. An orange alarm light flashing alternately with the power light indicates a general service error. Physical problems along the carriage path, such as an issue with the clear plastic encoder strip running horizontally behind the carriage, will also stop the machine from printing your document.

Common causes

Clogged print head nozzles from dried ink.
Empty or unseated ink tanks/cartridges.
Protective orange tape or clip left on newly installed ink tanks.
Unseated or misaligned print head assembly.
Stuck print spooler job on the connected computer.
Orange alarm lamp blinking an error code (such as Support Code 1401, 1403, or 1688).
Paper feed roller obstruction or foreign object in the rear tray.

What to check first

1Check if the orange alarm lamp is blinking and count the flashes between pauses.
2Inspect ink levels through the status monitor or directly on the ink tanks.
3Ensure protective orange tape has been fully removed from all installed ink tanks.
4Verify that plain paper is properly loaded in the rear tray or cassette.

Step-by-step fix

1
Clear the print queue and power cycle the printer
Cancel all pending print jobs on your computer. Turn off the PIXMA printer, unplug the power cord from the wall for 60 seconds, reconnect it, and turn the printer back on.
Do not unplug the power cord while the print head carriage is actively moving across the track.
2
Print a nozzle check pattern
Load plain paper. Use the printer maintenance menu or Canon driver utility on your computer to run a 'Nozzle Check'. Examine the printed grid to see if any ink colors or black grids are missing completely.
Running repeated nozzle checks without ink can draw air into the print head lines.
3
Run a standard print head cleaning cycle
If the nozzle check pattern has gaps or missing colors, run a standard 'Cleaning' cycle from the maintenance utility. Wait for the cycle to finish, then print another nozzle check. Run at most two cleaning cycles consecutively.
Do not run 'Deep Cleaning' more than twice in a 24-hour period, as it consumes significant ink and fills the waste ink absorber.
4
Reseat all ink cartridges
Open the printer cover so the carriage moves to the replacement position. Lift out each ink tank, verify the orange sealing tape is removed from the vent hole, and firmly press each tank back into its slot until it clicks securely into place.
Avoid touching the exposed gold chip contacts or the bottom nozzle plate with your bare fingers.
5
Reseat the removable print head assembly (if applicable)
On PIXMA models with a removable print head carriage, lift the cartridge locking lever, remove all ink tanks, lift the print head release lever, lift the print head out, inspect the electrical contacts for dirt, place the print head back into the carriage, lower the lever firmly, and reinstall the ink tanks.
Never touch the nozzles directly. Do not force the print head locking lever if it meets abnormal resistance.
6
Check and clear the encoder strip and carriage path
With the printer powered off and unplugged, open the top cover. Look inside the carriage path for torn paper scraps, paper clips, or dried ink clumps. If the transparent encoder strip running behind the carriage is smudged with grease, wipe it gently with a dry lint-free swab.
The encoder strip is fragile. Applying excessive force can snap it or pull it off its mounting springs.

When to contact a professional

Stop troubleshooting and contact a professional if your printer shows persistent hardware Support Codes like B200, 5100, or 1403 that refuse to clear after reseating the print head. You should also seek repair or replacement if you get Support Code 5B00 for a full ink absorber, or if the print head carriage produces loud grinding noises. Continuing to force the machine to run can cause further damage. Before you reach into the carriage path to check for physical obstructions, always unplug the printer from the electrical outlet, and never touch internal electrical contacts or high-voltage power components. If your printer is still under warranty, reach out to an authorized service center so you do not void your coverage.

Questions people ask

Why is my Canon PIXMA printing blank pages even with full ink?: Blank pages usually mean the print head nozzles are completely clogged with dried ink, the protective shipping tape is still blocking the air vents on the ink tanks, or the print head electrical contacts are not seated properly.
What does Support Code B200 mean on a Canon PIXMA?: Support Code B200 indicates a print head or power supply failure, often triggered when a print head overheats or suffers an electrical short. Reseating the print head occasionally fixes it, but it frequently requires replacing the print head or the printer.
How do I print a nozzle check directly from the printer without a computer?: On models with buttons and no LCD, hold down the Resume/Cancel button until the power lamp flashes white/green a specific number of times (typically twice on most models), then release it.

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Not the problem you have?

Switch off and unplug a printer before reaching inside it. Steps that can damage hardware or affect a warranty are flagged above. If your machine is still under warranty, or the fault involves the power supply or internal electronics, contact the manufacturer or a qualified technician instead. Full disclaimer.

What this means

Common causes

What to check first

Step-by-step fix

Clear the print queue and power cycle the printer

Print a nozzle check pattern

Run a standard print head cleaning cycle

Reseat all ink cartridges

Reseat the removable print head assembly (if applicable)

Check and clear the encoder strip and carriage path

When to contact a professional

Questions people ask

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