Canon Printer B200 Error
What it means
B200 is a printhead protection error on Canon PIXMA, MX, MG, iP, and MAXIFY inkjet printers. The printer's internal sensors detect an abnormal voltage or an over-temperature condition at the printhead and shut the machine down to prevent permanent damage to the head and electronics. Typical symptoms: the printer powers on but refuses to print, the carriage may park in the center, and the screen or a computer pop-up shows 'Printer error has occurred. Contact the service center. (B200)'.
Common causes of the B200 error
- Overheated printhead, often after the ink ran out while printing continued
- Dried or clogged ink blocking the printhead nozzles
- Dirty or oxidized electrical contacts between the printhead and the carriage
- A printhead that has shifted out of position or is not fully seated
- A genuinely failed printhead at the end of its life
- Outdated or corrupt printer drivers triggering a false fault
How to fix the Canon Printer B200 error
- 1Do a full power resetTurn the printer off, unplug it from the wall, and leave it unplugged for at least 10 minutes so the printhead cools and the sensor clears. Plug it back in and power on. This alone clears many transient B200 errors.
- 2Reseat the printheadSafety first: leave the printer powered off and unplugged before reaching inside so the carriage cannot move and pinch your hand. Open the cover, lift the latch/lever holding the printhead, remove the printhead, then firmly reseat it until the latch locks. Plug back in, power on, and run a nozzle check.
- 3Clean the printhead and contactsWith the printer unplugged, gently wipe the gold electrical contacts on both the printhead and the carriage using a lint-free cloth or swab lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Let everything dry fully before reseating. Dirty contacts are a common cause of false voltage faults.
- 4Run the cleaning cyclesOnce the printer accepts commands, run Cleaning and then Deep Cleaning from the maintenance menu, printing a test page between runs. Space the cycles out to avoid wasting ink and to let the head settle.
- 5Update the driver and firmwareDownload the latest driver and firmware for your exact model from the official Canon support site and reinstall, then test again. An outdated driver can occasionally report a phantom B200.
🧰 When to call a professional
If B200 returns after a 10-minute power reset, printhead reseat, contact cleaning, and a driver update, the printhead itself is likely failing. On lower-cost PIXMA models a replacement printhead can cost nearly as much as a new printer, so weigh authorized Canon service against replacing the unit.
Canon B200 error — FAQ
Can I fix the Canon B200 error myself?
Often yes. A 10-minute power reset, reseating the printhead, and cleaning the gold contacts resolve a large share of B200 cases at home for free. Always unplug the printer before reaching inside.
Does B200 mean I need a new printhead?
Not always. It first means the printer detected a printhead voltage or temperature problem. If cleaning and reseating do not clear it, then a worn or damaged printhead is the likely cause and may need replacing.
Why did B200 appear right after my ink ran out?
Printing with an empty ink tank can overheat the nozzles because there is no ink to carry heat away. Refill or replace the ink, do a power reset to let the head cool, and run a cleaning cycle.
Sources
This guide is independently written and not affiliated with Canon. Always unplug appliances before servicing and follow your model's manual. Error codes and steps can vary by model — when in doubt, consult a qualified technician.