Canon Support Code 5100 (carriage) — sensor reset & jam recovery

Joe B.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Canon PIXMA/MG/TS, Office inkjets, Carriage & paper feed, Encoders, Home-position sensors

Canon 5100 error — carriage jam, encoder strip cleaning, sensor reset & purge unit checks

Technician

Hi! We’ll walk through a safe carriage sensor reset for the Canon Support Code 5100 error. This code usually means the printhead carriage met resistance or the home position sensor/encoder can’t read correctly.
Before we begin: which model (PIXMA MG/TS/G, MAXIFY, iX, etc.)? Do you hear the carriage try to move and then stop? Any paper jam, packing tape, or recent ink cartridge change?

Customer

It’s a Canon PIXMA TS6320. After turning it on, the carriage slides right, clicks, and the screen shows Support Code 5100. I recently replaced cartridges and some paper jammed yesterday.

Technician

Thanks. On Canon inkjets, 5100 is triggered by: 1) debris blocking the carriage path (paper scraps, label glue), 2) a dirty or bent encoder strip so the sensor can’t read position, 3) the purge unit/ink absorber stuck, or 4) a cartridge latch not fully seated.
Plan: clear the path → reset/realign the carriage/home position → gently clean the encoder strip → check the purge cap & wiper → power-cycle to complete the sensor reset.

Customer

I can open the front door. What should I look for first? I don’t want to break the printhead or belt.

Technician

Step 1 — Power-off, clear debris
1) Power the printer OFF and unplug it for 60 seconds (this releases the motor).
2) Slide the carriage gently to the center by hand — don’t force against resistance. Remove any ripped paper under the carriage or near the purge unit at the far right.
3) Confirm each ink cartridge is fully latched; a raised latch can trip 5100.
4) Use a flashlight to look for a stray label, clip, or packing material along the carriage rail and timing belt.

Customer

I found a small paper scrap by the purge unit and removed it. The belt looks fine. Still getting 5100 after startup.

Technician

Good catch. Next is the encoder strip — the thin clear ribbon behind the carriage with fine hash marks. If ink mist coats it, the carriage position sensor can’t read, causing Support Code 5100.
Step 2 — Clean the encoder strip safely
• Use a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol (≤70%).
• Pinch the strip gently near the middle and wipe left→right, then right→left. Avoid pulling the strip; don’t rub the timing belt.
• Dry with a fresh portion of cloth. Inspect for bends. Re-center the carriage.

Customer

I cleaned it. It looked pretty cloudy. After turning it on, the carriage moves, then stops at the right and shows 5100 again.

Technician

Then the purge station (cap/wiper/ink absorber) might be stuck and blocking the home position.
Step 3 — Free the purge/wiper
• Power OFF & unplug. Move the carriage left.
• On the far right, use a cotton swab to remove thick ink around the capping pad and rubber wiper blade. If the wiper is stuck forward, gently push it back.
• Check the paper feed path and rear rollers for shards. Re-seat the front door and paper tray fully.

Customer

The wiper had a glob of ink; I cleaned it. Now the printer starts, the carriage homes, and the error clears, but it asks to align. Should I run the alignment?

Technician

Perfect—5100 cleared means the carriage sensor reset succeeded.
Step 4 — Finalize the reset
• Run the built-in Print Head Alignment and a Nozzle Check.
• If bands appear, run a Cleaning (not Deep Cleaning unless needed).
• Lightly wipe and re-lubricate the carriage rail with a tiny drop of sewing-machine oil if squeaks persist (keep away from the encoder strip).

Customer

Alignment passed and printing looks normal. If 5100 returns later, what else should I check first?

Technician

Tips to prevent Support Code 5100:
• Always remove shipping orange tabs and peel the vent tape on new cartridges.
• Keep label paper straight; adhesive flakes cause carriage jams.
• Every few months, wipe the encoder strip, clean the purge unit, and dust paper paths.
Advanced: If the error returns instantly, the home position sensor or the timing/encoder strip may be damaged or the carriage belt loose — we can guide sensor replacement or recommend service.

Customer

Got it. Thanks for the thorough steps — the Canon 5100 error is gone and the printer is working.

Technician

Summary: Most Canon Support Code 5100 cases are fixed by clearing carriage jams, reseating cartridges, cleaning the encoder strip, freeing the purge/wiper unit, and completing a carriage sensor reset via power cycle and alignment. Need hands-on help? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix for Canon 5100 carriage error: power off and remove debris, re-seat ink, clean the encoder strip, free the purge unit/wiper, then power on to reset the carriage sensor and run alignment. This resolves most carriage jam and home position sensor faults.

FAQ

Step-by-step (PIXMA/MAXIFY)

1. Power off & unplug. Move carriage to center and remove all debris.
2. Reseat cartridges; confirm latches click and vents are open.
3. Clean the encoder strip with a lint-free cloth and distilled water/isopropyl.
4. Free the purge/capping unit and wipe the wiper blade and ink pad.
5. Power on to perform the carriage sensor reset; run alignment and Nozzle Check.

Sources

• Canon — Online Manuals (PIXMA family)
• Canon Support — Error codes & maintenance
• Canon — Cleaning the encoder/timing strip (service guidance)

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