Canon Pixma Error 1890 is a mechanical obstruction alert indicating that protective material remains inside the device. This error typically occurs during the initial setup of a new printer or after a unit has been serviced or relocated, signaling that the print head carriage is physically blocked from completing its initialization sequence.
🛑 Safety First: Read Before Repairing
Incorrect repairs can cause fire or injury. Always verify with the manufacturer’s manual.
When this error strikes, you might hear the printer attempt to move its internal components, followed by a sudden, jarring stop or a repetitive grinding noise. You are likely seeing a persistent “Error 1890” on your computer screen or a specific sequence of orange alarm flashes on the printer’s chassis. It can be incredibly frustrating to have a brand-new machine refuse to work right out of the box, but rest assured: this is almost always a physical oversight rather than a hardware failure. With a methodical approach and a keen eye for detail, we can clear this error and get your Pixma back to its high-quality output in no time.
Repair Specifications: Error 1890
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Moderate (No advanced electronics knowledge required) |
| Estimated Time: | 15–30 Minutes |
| Tools Needed: | High-intensity LED flashlight, Long-nose tweezers, Microfiber cloth, Isopropyl Alcohol (90%+) |
| Estimated Cost: | $0 (General maintenance and removal only) |
Symptoms of Error 1890
Identifying Error 1890 involves more than just reading the code on the screen; the printer often provides physical and auditory cues that hint at the location of the obstruction. If you observe the following, your printer is struggling with a physical blockage:
- Status Indicators: On models without an LCD, the Alarm lamp (orange) will flash a specific number of times (usually alternating with the Power lamp) in a repeating cycle. On models with an LCD, the message “Protective material remains” or “Support Code 1890” will be explicitly displayed.
- Carriage Stall: When you lift the scanning unit or the printer cover, the print head carriage (the part that holds the ink tanks) may fail to move to the center replacement position. It might remain tucked away in the far right or left corner.
- Mechanical Stress Noises: You may hear a “thumping” or “grinding” sound immediately after powering the unit on. This is the DC motor attempting to slide the carriage along the rail, only to be met with physical resistance.
- Software Blocking: On your connected PC or Mac, the Canon IJ Status Monitor will pop up with an alert, preventing any data from being sent to the print spooler.
Detailed Diagnosis: Root Causes
Detailed Diagnosis: Root Causes
Understanding why Error 1890 occurs is the first step toward a permanent fix. While the printer’s firmware is programmed to detect “protective material,” it is essentially measuring torque resistance. If the carriage requires too much power to move, the system assumes a block is present.
1. Forgotten Shipping Materials (The “New Printer” Factor): Canon secures the internal moving parts of their printers with high-visibility orange tape and specialized plastic spacers to prevent damage during transit. These materials are often hidden deep within the carriage path or tucked underneath the rail. If even a small piece of tape remains, it can snag the carriage, causing the sensor to trigger Error 1890.
2. Encoder Strip Contamination: The encoder strip is a thin, transparent plastic band that runs across the width of the printer. It contains microscopic markings that the carriage sensor reads to determine its position. If grease, ink, or a piece of shipping adhesive gets on this strip, the printer “loses its way,” thinks it has hit a wall, and defaults to Error 1890 to prevent mechanical damage.
3. Foreign Object Obstruction: While the error code specifically mentions “protective material,” any object in the path—a stray paperclip, a small piece of torn paper from a previous jam, or even a displaced internal cable—will trigger the same sensor response. The printer cannot distinguish between a piece of orange tape and a localized paper jam.
4. Carriage Rail Friction: Over time, or if the printer was stored in a dusty environment before being sold, the lubricant on the metal carriage rail can become tacky or dry. This increases friction, causing the motor to work harder and tricking the logic board into believing there is a physical block remaining.
Comprehensive Repair Guide
Comprehensive Repair Guide
Follow these steps in order. This guide moves from the most obvious solutions to more nuanced internal cleaning procedures.
Step 1: Deep Interior Inspection
Power down the printer and disconnect the power cord completely. This is a vital safety step to prevent electrical shock and to ensure the carriage motor is not energized while you are working near it. Open the scanning unit or the main access cover. Use your high-intensity flashlight to inspect the entire width of the carriage rail. Look specifically for orange tape, orange plastic “L-shaped” brackets, or white foam blocks. Check the far ends (the service station on the right and the far left corner), as these are common hiding spots for shipping inserts.
Step 2: Manual Carriage Release
Gently attempt to move the print head carriage by hand. Warning: Do not force the carriage if it feels locked. If it is stuck on the right side, it may be “capped.” If it is free to move, slide it slowly from left to right. If you feel any “bumps” or resistance at a specific point, use your tweezers to inspect that area of the rail or the belt behind it. You are looking for tiny fragments of plastic or adhesive residue that may be catching on the carriage housing.
Step 3: Cleaning the Encoder Strip (The Nuanced Fix)
The encoder strip is the clear plastic ribbon located just behind the carriage rail. Using a microfiber cloth lightly dampened (not dripping) with Isopropyl Alcohol, gently grip the strip and slide the cloth along its length. Be extremely careful not to unhook the strip from its tension springs. Cleaning this strip ensures the carriage sensor can accurately read the printer’s position. If the sensor can’t see where it is, it assumes it’s hitting a protective block and triggers Error 1890.
Step 4: Checking the Paper Feed Path
Sometimes Error 1890 is triggered by material stuck in the rear tray or the front output slot. Shine your light down the rear paper feed. Look for any protective cardboard inserts that may have fallen inward. Use a thick piece of cardstock and slide it through the manual feed path to “push out” any hidden debris or leftover shipping spacers that might be interfering with the internal sensor flags.
Step 5: Hard Reset and Initialization
Once you are certain all materials are removed, close the cover and plug the printer directly into a wall outlet (avoid power strips for this step to ensure maximum voltage for the motor). Turn the printer on. As it begins its “whirring” initialization, listen for a smooth transition. If the error persists, perform a hard reset: with the printer on, unplug the power cord, wait 60 seconds, then hold the Power button for 5 seconds while it’s unplugged to drain the capacitors. Plug it back in and restart.
How to Prevent Error 1890
While this error is most common during setup, taking a few preventative measures can ensure your Pixma remains mechanically sound for years to come.
- Methodical Unboxing: When setting up a new Canon printer, always refer to the “Setup Leaflet” which provides a map of every piece of tape. Never discard the tape until the first test page has successfully printed. If you ever ship the printer for repair, use original spacers to prevent the carriage from slamming, but remember to remove them immediately upon return.
- Maintain a Dust-Free Environment: Dust buildup on the carriage rail can mimic the resistance caused by protective materials. Every few months, use a can of compressed air to blow out the interior of the printer, focusing on the rail and the encoder strip.
- Use a High-Quality Surge Protector: While Error 1890 is mechanical, a voltage spike can occasionally “glitch” the carriage sensor logic. Ensuring a stable power supply prevents the printer from misinterpreting sensor data as a physical obstruction.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I’ve looked everywhere and can’t see any orange tape. What else could it be?
A: Check the “service station” on the far right. Sometimes a small piece of plastic or a “shipping wedge” is tucked underneath the station where the print heads rest. Also, check the encoder strip (the clear ribbon) for any smudges of ink; a dirty strip is the #1 cause of “ghost” 1890 errors where no tape is actually present.
Q: Is it safe to move the print head carriage by hand?
A: Yes, but only when the power is completely disconnected. Moving it while the printer is powered on can damage the drive gears or the motor. Always move it slowly and steadily; never “flick” or slam it against the side walls.
Q: I removed a piece of tape, but the error won’t go away. Do I need a new printer?
A: Not necessarily. The error may be “cached” in the printer’s temporary memory. Perform the “Hard Reset” mentioned in the repair guide (unplugging for 60 seconds) to force the logic board to re-scan the carriage path for obstructions.