Printer error codes appear on the display panel or as blinking lights when your printer detects a fault it cannot resolve automatically. Each code points to a specific problem — a paper jam, empty ink cartridge, overheated fuser, or communication failure — giving you a direct starting point for troubleshooting. This guide covers the most common error codes for HP, Canon, Brother, and Epson printers with step-by-step fixes for each one.

What Are Printer Error Codes?

Printer error codes are numerical or alphanumerical codes generated by a printer’s onboard diagnostics system. When the printer detects a condition it cannot continue through — such as a jammed sheet, a depleted cartridge, a failed fuser, or a communication timeout — it halts the print job and displays the corresponding code. Understanding what each code means saves time and prevents unnecessary service calls. Most printer errors are user-resolvable with the right information.

HP Printer Error Codes

HP printers use numerical error codes and alphanumeric codes depending on the model. LaserJet errors tend to be numerical (10, 22, 49, 59, 79), while OfficeJet and ENVY models may display E-series codes (E0, E2, E3) or hex error codes (0x97, 0x6100004a, 0xc19a0003).

• HP Printer Error 10 – How to Fix — Supplies memory error; cartridge chip cannot be read.
• HP Printer Error 22 – How to Fix — I/O configuration or buffer overflow error.
• HP Printer Error 49 – How to Fix — Firmware or communication error causing print interruption.
• HP Printer Error 59 – How to Fix — Motor error on LaserJet printers.
• HP Printer Error 79 – How to Fix — Firmware crash or corrupted print job error.
• HP Printer Error E2 – How to Fix — Paper jam or scanner error.
• HP Printer Error E3 – How to Fix — Scanner or carriage jam error.
• HP Printer Error 0x6100004a – How to Fix — Ink system failure error.
• HP Printer Error 0xc19a0003 – How to Fix — Ink system or print head fault.

Canon Printer Error Codes

Canon PIXMA and MAXIFY printers use E-series codes (E02, E03, E04, E05, E13), P-series codes (P02, P07), 4-digit numeric codes (1300, 5100, 5200, 6000, 6800), and letter-number codes (B200) to indicate different types of faults.

• Canon Printer Error E02 – How to Fix — Out of paper or paper not detected.
• Canon Printer Error E03 – How to Fix — Paper jam in the paper path.
• Canon Printer Error E04 – How to Fix — Cartridge not installed correctly.
• Canon Printer Error E05 – How to Fix — Incompatible or unrecognised cartridge.
• Canon Printer Error E13 – How to Fix — Ink may have run out warning.
• Canon Printer Error P02 – How to Fix — Print head or carriage error.
• Canon Printer Error P07 – How to Fix — Ink absorber (waste ink pad) full.
• Canon Printer Error 1300 – How to Fix — Paper jam near the rear access area.
• Canon Printer Error 5100 – How to Fix — Carriage or encoder strip error.
• Canon Printer Error 5101 – How to Fix — Carriage movement obstruction.
• Canon Printer Error 5200 – How to Fix — Print head temperature error.
• Canon Printer Error 6000 – How to Fix — Paper jam or feed error.
• Canon Printer Error 6800 – How to Fix — Ink absorber or hardware error.
• Canon Printer Error B200 – How to Fix — Print head voltage error, often requiring head replacement.

Brother Printer Error Codes

Brother DCP, MFC, and HL series printers display error codes as numbers (34, 35, 41, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75) or alphanumeric codes (5B00) on the LCD screen. These typically relate to drum units, toner, fuser errors, or paper feed problems.

• Brother Printer Error 34 – How to Fix — Paper size error or document too long.
• Brother Printer Error 35 – How to Fix — Memory full; too much data sent to print.
• Brother Printer Error 41 – How to Fix — Service call or hardware error.
• Brother Printer Error 46 – How to Fix — Waste ink absorber almost full.
• Brother Printer Error 48 – How to Fix — Scanning error or document jam.
• Brother Printer Error 49 – How to Fix — Fuser or print overrun error.
• Brother Printer Error 50 – How to Fix — Fuser error or overheating.
• Brother Printer Error 51 – How to Fix — Laser error on laser printers.
• Brother Printer Error 52 – How to Fix — Polygon motor error.
• Brother Printer Error 5B00 – How to Fix — Ink absorber full (inkjet models).
• Brother Printer Error 70 – How to Fix — Paper jam detected.
• Brother Printer Error 71 – How to Fix — Paper jam in the duplex unit.
• Brother Printer Error 72 – How to Fix — Drum unit counter not reset or end of life.
• Brother Printer Error 75 – How to Fix — Fuser error on laser models.

Epson Printer Error Codes

Epson printers, including EcoTank, Expression, and WorkForce series, use hex-based error codes (0x97, 0xB3, 0xE8, 0xEA, 0xEA2, 0xF1, 0xF2) and E-series codes (E01, E02) to indicate hardware faults, ink system problems, and waste pad overflow errors.

• Epson Printer Error E01 – How to Fix — No paper or paper not detected.
• Epson Printer Error E02 – How to Fix — Out of paper or paper feed failure.
• Epson Printer Error 0x97 – How to Fix — Hardware error requiring reset or repair.
• Epson Printer Error 0xB3 – How to Fix — Ink system or hardware fault.
• Epson Printer Error 0xE8 – How to Fix — Waste ink pad counter full.
• Epson Printer Error 0xEA – How to Fix — Ink pad overflow error.
• Epson Printer Error 0xEA2 – How to Fix — Waste ink system overflow.
• Epson Printer Error 0xF1 – How to Fix — Fatal hardware error.
• Epson Printer Error 0xF2 – How to Fix — System error or ink system fault.

General Printer Troubleshooting Tips

Many printer error codes — regardless of brand — share common solutions. A full power cycle (turning the printer off, unplugging it for 60 seconds, then restarting) clears a large proportion of temporary errors. Always clear the print queue on your computer before restarting the printer to avoid the same error code reappearing immediately. Keep printer firmware updated, use genuine or high-quality compatible supplies, and ensure the paper loaded matches the size and type settings configured in the printer driver. Regular use also helps — printers that sit idle for weeks develop clogged print heads and feed roller issues that generate error codes during the next print job.