Canon Printer Error 5011 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error 5011 on a Canon printer is a hardware fault — typically a carriage unit failure or ink absorber problem. The printer has detected that a mechanical component is not operating correctly. This often requires a repair or reset, but some cases can be resolved at home.

Affected Models

Canon PIXMA MG series
Canon PIXMA MX series
Canon PIXMA TS series
Canon PIXMA TR series
Canon MAXIFY series

Common Causes

Print carriage is jammed or physically blocked by paper or debris
Ink absorber pad is full and needs to be reset or replaced
Foreign object lodged in the carriage movement path
Faulty carriage motor or encoder strip
Internal sensor error detecting an unexpected mechanical state

How to Fix It

Turn off your Canon printer and unplug the power cord. Open the printer's front cover fully. Look inside the carriage path — left side, right side, and below the carriage — for any jammed paper or debris.

Even a tiny scrap of paper can jam the carriage and cause error 5011. Look carefully with a flashlight.
If you see paper jammed inside, remove it by pulling it gently and evenly. Do not tear it — if paper tears, you will need to remove every piece. Pull towards you rather than in the direction of the rollers.

Torn paper fragments left inside the printer will cause the same error again immediately.
With the printer open, gently try to move the carriage by hand to the left and right. It should slide freely. If it is stiff or stuck, do not force it — there may be a broken part that needs professional attention.

A freely moving carriage that triggers the error suggests an ink absorber or sensor issue rather than a physical jam.
Plug the printer back in and turn it on. If error 5011 reappears immediately, the ink absorber may be full. Canon offers a free tool called the Service Tool (available at support.canon.com) that can reset the absorber counter.

The ink absorber is a pad that collects waste ink. When full, Canon locks the printer as a safety measure. The counter reset is free and safe to do yourself.
If you have reset the absorber counter but the error persists, the carriage motor or encoder strip may be faulty. At this point, contact Canon support at support.canon.com or call 1-800-OK-CANON to arrange a service repair.

Describe the error code to the support agent — they can often diagnose the most likely cause over the phone before you bring it in.

When to Call a Professional

If removing obstructions and resetting the printer does not clear error 5011, a Canon service center can inspect the carriage mechanism. Carriage repairs typically cost $80-$150. For budget PIXMA models, purchasing a new printer may be more cost-effective than a service repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Canon error 5011 the same as error 5100?

They are related — both involve carriage or mechanical problems. Error 5100 is specifically a carriage position error. Error 5011 can indicate a broader mechanical fault including absorber issues. The fix steps are similar for both.

Can I reset Canon error 5011 myself without the service tool?

A simple power cycle may temporarily clear the error. However, if the cause is a full ink absorber, only the Canon Service Tool can properly reset the counter. The Service Tool is free to download from Canon's support website.

Is it safe to keep using my printer after error 5011?

No — you should not force the printer to continue printing while this error is active. Printing with a jammed carriage can damage the mechanism further. Resolve the error first, then resume printing.