Canon Error P02: Printer error (holder cannot move)
Also shows as: Support code 5100; ON and Alarm lamps flash alternately 2 times on PIXMA G1010 series
Canon lists P02 as "Printer error has occurred" (support code 5100). The 5100 instructions focus on something blocking the cartridge or print head holder.
What to try
- Cancel printing and turn the printer off.
- Check that nothing (shipping stabilizer, jammed paper) is blocking the cartridge or print head holder, and remove it.
- Make sure the cartridges or print heads are properly installed.
- Turn the printer back on. If this does not solve it, contact a Canon service center.
When it needs a technician
If the holder is clear and the code remains, Canon says to request a repair.
Which models show P02
Canon documents this code for models including PIXMA G2010 series, PIXMA TS3100 series, PIXMA E3100 series, PIXMA G3010 series.
First steps for any printer error
- Write down the exact code before you do anything else — similar-looking codes often mean completely different things.
- Power the printer off, unplug it for a couple of minutes, then power it back on. A surprising number of transient errors clear here.
- Open the covers and check for paper scraps, packaging material, or anything blocking the carriage.
- Check the cartridges or tanks are genuine, correctly seated, and not empty.
- Confirm the printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension lead.
- Check your model’s own manual — codes are model-specific, and the manual is the authority for your machine.
Source: Canon Inkjet Manual - "An Error Occurs" (LCD error code table). Codes are model-specific, so your own model's manual is the final word. Reviewed October 2026.
Still showing P02?
Tell our printer technician your model and what you've tried. You'll find out whether it's fixable at home or worth repairing at all.
Ask about my printer — $1Eric Paul Amora · Printer & Hardware Repair Technician