Canon Printer Error E38 — Print Head Fault

What Does This Error Mean?

Error E38 means the printer's internal check found a fault in the print head. This can happen after a severe overheating event, physical impact, or simply age-related failure. A power cycle sometimes clears a temporary fault, but a damaged print head usually needs replacing.

Affected Models

Canon PIXMA MG5720
Canon PIXMA MG5750
Canon PIXMA MG6820
Canon PIXMA TS5020
Canon PIXMA TS8020

Common Causes

The print head was damaged by a previous overheating event (often following repeated E37 errors)
A nozzle or circuit inside the print head has failed due to age or heavy use
The print head connectors are dirty or corroded, causing an intermittent contact fault
The printer was physically dropped or jolted, damaging the print head mechanism
Firmware detected an unrecoverable print head malfunction during startup diagnostics

How to Fix It

Turn the printer off, wait 60 seconds, then turn it back on.

A temporary sensor glitch can sometimes cause a false E38. A full restart clears it.
Open the printer cover and remove the print head. Inspect the copper contacts on the bottom.

Use a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water to clean any ink residue off the contacts.
Also clean the contact pads inside the printer carriage where the print head sits.

Dirty contacts are a common cause of false head-fault errors.
Reinstall the print head firmly and ensure it clicks into place. Close the cover and power on.

An improperly seated print head will trigger head-fault errors on startup.
If the error persists, replace the print head with a genuine Canon replacement for your model.

Search for 'Canon [your model] print head' — genuine Canon heads are available from office supply stores and online.

When to Call a Professional

E38 often means the print head needs to be replaced. On most Canon PIXMA models the print head is a user-replaceable part (sold separately from ink cartridges). If print head replacement does not clear the error, the printer's main board may need servicing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use my printer while getting E38?

No — E38 is a blocking error that stops all printing until it is resolved. Attempting to bypass it risks permanently damaging the printer. Fix the print head issue first.

How much does a Canon replacement print head cost?

Genuine Canon print heads typically cost $20 to $50 depending on the model. For cheaper entry-level printers, the cost of a new print head may approach the cost of a new printer. Compare prices before deciding whether to repair or replace.

Will a compatible (non-Canon) print head work?

Compatible print heads are available for some models, but quality varies widely. Using a non-genuine head may void any remaining warranty. Genuine Canon heads are strongly recommended for reliability.