Canon Error P03: Printer error (P-code group)
Also shows as: P05, P06, P09, P22, P26, P27, P28, P29 (same group, same steps); support codes 5011, 5012, 5050, 5400, 5700, 6000, 6800 and others
On small-LCD models, P03 is in a group of P-codes (P03, P05, P06, P09, P22, P26-P29) that Canon describes simply as 'Printer error has occurred'.
What to try
- Turn off the printer and unplug it.
- Plug it back in and turn it on.
When it needs a technician
If the steps above do not clear it, Canon says to contact your nearest Canon service center to request a repair.
Which models show P03
Canon documents this code for models including PIXMA G3010 series, PIXMA G2010 series, PIXMA TS3100 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 PIXMA/Inkjet Manual - G3010 series, An Error Occurs (P03). Codes are model-specific, so your own model's manual is the final word. Reviewed October 2026.
Still showing P03?
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