Canon / TR4500 series

1203 - The paper output cover was opened during printing.

The paper output cover was opened during printing.

This guide is scoped to the TR4500 series family. Exact menu wording, cartridge naming, and service behavior can still vary by model variant and firmware.

Severity

Low

Most likely cause

The paper output cover was left open or opened during a print job.

Can you keep using it?

Often yes

Consumables involved

Paper output cover

Can you keep using it?

Can you keep using it?

Contact customer support if any of these apply

  • !1203 returns even though the cover is clearly shut.
  • !The cover hinge or latch no longer closes or sits normally.
If the printer still starts normally: This is often recoverable with the basic checks below, as long as the printer returns to ready without a deeper service warning.

What to check first

Step-by-step checks

  1. 1

    Consumable check

    Close the paper output cover fully.

    Start with the official recovery step before moving on to parts or deeper servicing.

  2. 2

    Consumable check

    Remove any visible paper that did not clear the path normally.

  3. 3

    Safe first step

    Retry with one small print job after the cover is fully shut.

Background

What this message usually means

Canon uses support code 1203 when the TR4500 series detects that the paper output cover was open during printing. This usually interrupts the print path and needs the cover closed before the printer can continue normally.

Diagnosis

Likely causes

Most common

The paper output cover was left open or opened during a print job.

Common

The cover was not seated fully before printing started.

Possible

The printer paused because the paper path was no longer in a normal state.

Service

When service or replacement is more likely

  • -This is a printer-state interruption, not a deeper printhead or service code.

See also

Related codes in this family

Source notes

Canon's official 1203 page says the paper output cover is open and directs users to close it before continuing.

Built around Canon TR4500-series official support-code guidance. Exact wording can vary a little by regional model naming, but the support-code meaning stays close across the family.

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: TR4520, TR4522, TR4527, TR4530, TR4540, TR4550, TR4551, TR4560, TR4570, TR4570S, TR4580, TR4590, TR4595

Last reviewed: 2026-04-12

Reference: Open reference

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