Can you keep using it?
Can you keep using it?
Contact customer support if any of these apply
- !B203 returns immediately after restart.
- !The printer cannot reach a ready state at all.
What to check first
Step-by-step checks
- 1
Safe first step
Turn the printer off, wait briefly, and power it back on.
Start with the official recovery step before moving on to parts or deeper servicing.
- 2
Safe first step
Retry one short job only if the printer returns to ready.
- 3
Safe first step
Do not keep forcing repeat jobs through the same fault state.
Background
What this message usually means
Canon uses support code B203 on MB5400-series printers for a more serious printer fault that stops normal operation. It is not a low-urgency maintenance warning and usually needs a restart first, then support if it comes straight back.
Before the message
What users usually notice first
Messages like this often appear after the printer fails one of its normal startup, supply, or paper-path checks and cannot return to ready state cleanly.
Diagnosis
Likely causes
A controller or print-system fault occurred.
The printer resumed from an error state and could not clear it cleanly.
A deeper internal hardware or supply-path issue stopped normal operation.
Service
When service or replacement is more likely
- -Treat repeated B203 returns as a support case rather than a user-maintenance issue.
Avoid wrong turns
Common misreads of this message
- -Treating the message like a confirmed failed part instead of a support clue about which system has stopped the printer.
See also
Related codes in this family
Explore more
More Canon printer families
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Boundary
When to stop troubleshooting and move to support
If the same message returns immediately after one careful recovery attempt or the printer cannot reach ready state, stop there and use the family-specific support path.
Keep browsing
Where to go next
Source notes
Canon's MB5400-series support-code list includes B203 in the printer fault group that stops normal operation.
Built around Canon MB5400-series support-code guidance. Exact wording can vary a little by region and model variant.
Printer error codes can vary a little by firmware, region, and exact model variant. Use this guide as a family-level starting point and stop if the next step would require disassembly or service-mode changes.
Known family variants: MB5410, MB5420, MB5440, MB5450, MB5460, MB5490
Last reviewed: 2026-04-12
Reference: Open reference