Canon Support Code 5100 After Changing the Chip and Waste Ink Pad: How to Troubleshoot a TR8520 Paper Jam or Carriage Error

Question

I recently changed the chip and waste ink pad on my Canon printer, but now the printer shows Support Code 5100. The error appears immediately after the change and then comes back after every two or three prints. What should I do to fix this problem?

Answer

For a Canon printer, Support Code 5100 usually means the printer has detected a carriage movement error. In many cases, people describe it as a paper jam error, but it is not always caused by paper. The printer is basically saying that the printhead carriage is not moving the way the printer expects it to move.

Since your 5100 error started immediately after changing the chip and waste ink pad, the timing is important. That suggests the printer may be reacting to something that changed during the waste ink pad or chip replacement process.

The first thing I would check is whether anything is physically interfering with the carriage path. Open the printer and carefully inspect the area where the printhead travels from left to right. Look for paper scraps, loose plastic pieces, displaced foam, loose tape, a tool accidentally left inside, or anything that may have shifted while you were replacing the waste pad. Even a small obstruction can trigger Support Code 5100, especially if the printer passes the first movement test but later jams after several print cycles.

Next, check the waste ink pad assembly itself. If the pad or waste ink assembly was not seated correctly, it may sit too high or press against another moving component. That can cause the carriage or cleaning station to bind. On some Canon printers, the purge unit and waste ink system are close to the carriage parking area. If the waste pad, absorber, or nearby plastic frame is misaligned, the printer may work for one or two prints and then fail when it tries to clean, park, or reset the printhead.

You should also check the chip installation. If the chip was installed on a maintenance cartridge, absorber reset device, or related component, make sure it is seated properly and that the contacts are clean. A loose or incorrectly positioned chip may not directly cause a 5100 carriage error, but if the printer cannot correctly recognize the waste ink status or related assembly, it may interrupt its normal operation.

Another important area to inspect is the encoder strip. This is the thin, clear plastic strip that runs behind the printhead carriage. The printer uses this strip to know the carriage position. If the strip gets ink, grease, fingerprints, or cleaning residue on it during repair, the printer may lose track of the carriage and throw Support Code 5100. Clean it very gently with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water or isopropyl alcohol. Do not pull hard on the strip because it can come loose or tear.

Also check whether the carriage moves freely when the printer is powered off. With the printer unplugged, gently slide the carriage by hand if it is accessible. It should move smoothly without grinding, catching, or suddenly stopping. If it catches near the right side, the purge station or waste ink area may be misaligned. If it catches near the center or left side, look for an obstruction, damaged belt, or displaced part.

Because you mentioned that the error appears after every two or three prints, the issue may happen during the printer's maintenance cycle rather than during the actual printing pass. Canon printers periodically move the carriage to the cleaning station, activate the purge pump, and reset internal positions. If the waste ink assembly or purge unit is not aligned correctly, the printer may print a few pages and then fail when it tries to clean or park the printhead.

In addition to the mechanical checks, you may need to reset the printer's waste ink counter. For Canon printers, this is commonly done using a Canon Service Tool. You can search for a Canon Service Tool online, including on eBay, but be careful because there are many versions, and not every version works with every Canon model. The wrong version may fail to communicate with your printer, and some tools sold online are unreliable. Also, many Canon models require the printer to be placed into service mode before the tool can reset the absorber counter.

However, resetting the counter alone will not fix a true Support Code 5100 if the carriage is physically blocked or the waste pad assembly is installed incorrectly. The reset only addresses the printer's internal waste ink count. If the error is caused by a mechanical obstruction, encoder strip contamination, misaligned purge unit, or incorrectly seated waste ink pad, the error will return.

Here is the order I would suggest:

1. Turn off and unplug the printer.

2. Reopen the printer and inspect the carriage path for paper, tools, tape, foam, or loose plastic.

3. Confirm the waste ink pad or absorber assembly is seated flat and correctly.

4. Check the purge station area on the right side for anything out of place.

5. Gently clean the encoder strip.

6. Make sure the chip is installed correctly and the contacts are clean.

7. Test whether the carriage moves smoothly without obstruction.

8. If the waste ink counter needs to be reset, use the correct Canon Service Tool for your specific model and reset the absorber counter while the printer is in service mode.

For your Canon TR8520, the error code to focus on is Support Code 5100. That code should be treated primarily as a carriage movement or obstruction issue, even if the printer describes it like a paper jam. Since the problem started after replacing the chip and waste pad, I would focus first on the waste ink assembly position, purge unit area, and encoder strip before assuming the printer needs only a software reset.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because many repairs require hands-on inspection. For that reason, we are not able to provide remote troubleshooting, repair suggestions, or direct support for individual printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility, BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Because demand is high, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks before your printer can be dropped off. Our service is set up to repair either a whole printer or specific printer parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we understand that our rates may not be the most economical option for every situation. For that reason, we strongly recommend self-help through online research whenever possible. You can begin by checking YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel homepage, BCH Technologies on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Use the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar to look for videos on your specific issue. I receive dozens of questions every day asking about videos for specific topics. Since we have created videos over the past nine years, it is difficult to remember every single one. Using YouTube's search function is usually the most efficient method, and YouTube may also suggest helpful videos from other channels.

Thanks again for reaching out and for supporting BCH Technologies. I hope this gives you a clearer direction on where to look first: the carriage path, waste ink assembly seating, purge station, encoder strip, and then the Canon Service Tool reset if the waste ink counter also needs to be cleared.