The Canon printer error 5100 is linked with problems with the ink cartridge of it. If the printer heads have any kind of blockage, then this issue can come up. The full error message that appears when you get this issue is “An error occurred in the carriage encoder signal”.

There are various reasons for the occurrence of this error. If some paper gets stuck into the print head, then you can get this error. When the purge mechanism is not active, even then there is a chance for you to face this glitch.

Further, if the timing belt is not cleaned effectively, then this issue can show up. Moreover, if the ink cartridges are not properly placed within the printer, then also you can face this issue.

So, if you are facing this issue, you can go through this article. Here, we have mentioned the fixes to this error and applying them will help you fix this error effectively.

Solutions to Remove the Error 5100 On Canon Printer

In this section of the article, there will be various fixes that will help you get rid of the Canon printer error 5100. Apply the fixes one by one until you resolve this error.

Hack 1: Check for Any Paper Inside the Canon Printer

If some paper gets stuck into either the print head and roller, then you can get this error. Now, the best solution to eradicate this problem is to inspect and remove if some paper is present within the print roller or head. Here are the steps you can follow to do that.

  • First, hit the ‘Power’ button on the printer to shut it down.
  • Next, take out the ‘Power’ cable of the printer from the wall socket.
  • After that, open up the upper lid of the Canon printer to expose all the internal components. Now, check if there is any paper stuck on the print roller or not.
  • If some paper is present, then take that out very carefully and inspect whether there are bits of paper left inside the printer or not. If you see bits of paper, then remove them as well.
  • Now, insert the power cable back into the wall socket and then start the printer.
  • At last, try to print a document and then check if this error comes up or not.

Hack 2: Remove Dirt from the Timing Strip

The encoder or timing strip is a plastic material that sits at the front of the drive belt. If some dirt is present on that strip, then you can get the Canon printer error 5100. The one and only solution to resolve this issue is to get rid of dust or dirt from the strip. 

In order to do that, follow the steps beneath.

  • First, switch on the Canon printer. Then, pull up the scanning module cover to reveal the internal items and then hold that with the support. Now, the print head will move to the middle position.
  • Next, take out the power cable of the printer from the wall outlet. Now, slide the print head from the center to the right side.
  • Now, take a flashlight and then minutely look for any dirt or dust that has accumulated on the left side of the encoder strip.
  • If there are any foreign particles or fingerprint on the left end of the timing strip, then take a cotton swab dampened with isopropyl alcohol and carefully remove the dust from the encoder strip. Make sure the cotton not too wet, as the dripping alcohol can damage the component.
  • Do clean both sides of the timing strip and once that process is complete, check whether there is any more dust left. If there is any, then repeat the above step.
  • When you are sure that there are no more foreign particles left, quickly slide the print head from right all the way to the left side.
  • Now, repeat from the third to fifth steps of this method to clean dust from the center and right side of the encoder strip.
  • Once everything is over, gently lift the front cover and keep the support in its proper place and then close the lid. Next, plug in the power cable into the outlet on the wall and switch on the printer.
  • At last, try to print a document and check if this issue reappears or not.

Hack 3: Grease the Purge Cap

Sometimes, you can meet with the Canon printer error 5100, if the purge cap is not lubricated well enough. So, the answer to solving this problem is to simply grease up the purge cap of the Canon printer. 

Purge cap is a sliding holder, where the print head rests when the printer is not being used. To grease the purge cap, you will have to follow the steps given below.

  • First, to access the purge cap, remove the panel from the right side of the printer.
  • Then, apply a small amount of white-colored grease along the length of the sliders. As a word of caution, do not let the grease get onto the little black caps or wipers.
  • When the lubrication is complete, reattach the right panel into the printer.
  • Now, start the printer and try printing something to examine if this issue is fixed or not.

Hack 4: Clean the Print Head

When there is dirt on the print head of the Canon MX432 printer, then there is a possibility for you to encounter this problem. The feasible answer to this issue is to clean any kind of foreign particles from the print head. To achieve this, follow these steps mentioned below.

  • First, switch the Canon printer on.
  • Then, on the control panel of the device, locate and tap on the ‘Setup’ button. Now, a setup menu will come up.
  • Next, utilize the ‘Left’ or ‘Right’ arrow keys and choose the ‘Maintenance’ option and click on the ‘Ok’ button.
  • Next, under ‘Maintenance’ use either the ‘Right’ or the ‘Left’ arrow keys and then choose the ‘Deep Cleaning’ option. After that, to confirm that selection, choose the ‘OK’ button.
  • As soon as you do that, the device will initiate the print head cleanup procedure. Now, until the device finishes the print head cleanup process, you won’t be able to do any other work with the printer. This process takes up one to two minutes.
  • Once the print head cleanup process is over, check the condition of the print head.
  • At last, try to print a document and check if this error comes up or not.

Hack 5: Put Back the Ink Cartridge Properly

If the ink cartridge is not put into the device in a correct way, you can get the Canon printer error 5100. The best way to resolve this problem is to properly place the ink cartridge back into the printer. For that to happen, follow the steps underneath.

  • First, shut down the Canon printer. Then, remove the plug from the wall socket.
  • Next, tap the ‘Power’ button of the printer after you insert the main wire into the wall outlet.
  • After that, press the ‘Stop or Reset’ button for two times while you are tapping the ‘Power’ button. Now, release the ‘Power’ button. This action will start the printer in factory mode.
  • Now, press the right arrow key on the control panel until you get the ‘Shipping Mode 3’ option. Then, click on the ‘OK’ button to confirm it.
  • Once you get a message ‘Without Cleaning’ on the LCD screen of the printer, tap on the ‘Stop or Reset’ button. This action will print out a test page.
  • Now, pull up the front lid of the printer to see the internal components and then allow the ink cartridge to move to the left side. After that, turn off the device and remove the cable from the wall socket.
  • After you do that, lift or pull up all the ink cartridges from the printer and close the front lid. Next, plug in the main cable of the device and press the ‘Power’ button.
  • Next, push down the ink cartridges back into the printer securely, once you get a message ‘Replace Cartridges’.
  • At last, give some time to the printer to identify the ink cartridges completely before you attempt to print a document.

Summing Up

To fix the Canon printer error code 5100 in an easy and simple way, you can follow the fixes given here. But, if the solutions do not work and if you are still stuck with the error, you can connect with a tech professional who will handle the issue in a better way.