Canon PIXMA TR8620 Error 6000: How to Fix Carriage Jam
Quick Fix
Canon PIXMA TR8620 error 6000 means a paper jam or carriage obstruction. To fix it: Turn off the printer, open the front cover, remove any jammed paper, check that the ink cartridge carriage can move freely left to right, remove any packing material or debris, close the cover, and turn the printer back on. This clears error 6000 in most cases.
What Is Canon PIXMA TR8620 Error 6000?
Error 6000 (also displayed as Support Code 6000) on the Canon PIXMA TR8620 indicates a mechanical problem – usually a paper jam, foreign object obstruction, or the print head carriage being stuck. The printer detects that something is blocking the carriage from moving properly.
This error can appear on the printer’s LCD screen or your computer when trying to print. Common causes include jammed paper, packing tape left inside, debris in the paper path, or the carriage hitting an obstruction. Let’s fix it.
Method 1: Check for Paper Jams
Paper jams are the most common cause of error 6000.
Check the front/output area:
- Turn off the printer
- Open the front cover/output tray
- Look for any jammed paper
- Gently pull out any paper (pull slowly to avoid tearing)
- Check the paper output slot for small pieces
Check the rear tray:
- Check the rear paper feed
- Remove any paper from the tray
- Look inside for stuck paper
- Remove any jammed sheets
Check the ADF (automatic document feeder):
- Open the ADF cover on top
- Remove any jammed documents
- Close the cover securely
Method 2: Check the Print Head Carriage
The carriage must move freely across the printer.
- Turn off the printer and unplug it
- Open the front cover
- Wait for the carriage to stop (if it was moving)
- Gently push the carriage to the left
- Then push it to the right
- It should slide smoothly with no resistance
- If it’s stuck, look for obstructions
- Remove any paper, debris, or foreign objects
Important: Don’t force the carriage if it won’t move – you could damage the printer.
Method 3: Remove Packing Materials
New printers sometimes have protective tape or foam left inside.
- Turn off and unplug the printer
- Open all covers and trays
- Look for any orange or blue packing tape
- Check for foam pieces or cardboard
- Remove any protective materials
- Check around the ink cartridges
- Check behind the carriage
- Close everything and try again
Method 4: Power Cycle the Printer
A full power cycle can reset the printer’s sensors.
- Turn off the printer using the power button
- Unplug the power cord from the printer
- Wait 5 minutes
- Plug the power cord back in
- Turn on the printer
- Wait for initialization to complete
- Try printing a test page
Method 5: Clean the Encoder Strip
A dirty encoder strip can cause position detection errors.
- Turn off and unplug the printer
- Open the front cover
- Locate the clear plastic strip running horizontally behind the carriage
- Dampen a lint-free cloth with water (not soaking)
- Gently wipe the encoder strip
- Let it dry completely
- Close the cover and test
Caution: Don’t use alcohol or chemicals on the encoder strip – they can damage it.
Method 6: Check Ink Cartridges
Improperly installed cartridges can block the carriage.
- Turn on the printer
- Open the front cover
- Wait for the carriage to move to the center
- Press down on each ink cartridge to ensure it’s fully seated
- You should hear a click when properly installed
- Make sure no cartridges are sticking up
- Close the cover
Try removing and reinstalling:
- Remove all ink cartridges
- Check for any packing tape on the cartridges
- Reinstall each cartridge firmly
- Close the cover and test
Method 7: Check for Foreign Objects
Small items can fall into the printer and cause obstructions.
- Turn off and unplug the printer
- Use a flashlight to look inside all openings
- Check for:
- Paper clips or staples
- Torn paper pieces
- Dust buildup
- Broken plastic pieces
- Use tweezers to remove small objects
- Use compressed air for dust
Method 8: Reset the Printer
A reset can clear persistent errors.
Soft reset:
- With the printer ON, unplug the power cord
- Wait 60 seconds
- Plug back in and turn on
Hard reset:
- Turn off the printer
- Hold the Stop button (circle inside triangle)
- While holding Stop, press the Power button
- Keep holding both for 5 seconds
- Release and let the printer initialize
Method 9: Update Printer Firmware
Firmware updates can fix error detection bugs.
- Make sure printer is connected to WiFi
- On the printer, go to Setup > Device settings
- Select Firmware update
- Choose Install update
- Wait for the update to complete
Via Computer:
- Go to canon.com/support
- Enter model: TR8620
- Download the latest firmware
- Run the update tool
Method 10: Check the Purge Unit
The purge unit (on the right side) can cause carriage blockage.
- Turn off and unplug the printer
- Open the front cover
- Move the carriage to the left
- Look at the right side where the carriage parks
- Check for any ink buildup or debris
- Gently clean with a damp lint-free cloth
- Don’t touch the sponge pads directly
Method 11: Contact Canon Support
If error 6000 persists after all troubleshooting, you may need repair.
Before contacting support:
- Note your printer serial number (on back label)
- Have proof of purchase ready
- Document what you’ve already tried
Support options:
- Canon Support: usa.canon.com/support
- Phone: 1-800-652-2666 (USA)
- PIXMA TR8620 typically has 1-year warranty
Similar Error Codes
| Error | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 6000 | Carriage/paper jam obstruction |
| 5100 | Carriage error (similar cause) |
| 5200 | Print head temperature error |
| 6001 | Paper feed sensor error |
If you see 5100 instead of 6000, the solutions are similar.
Preventing Error 6000
- Remove all packing materials from new printers
- Use correct paper size and type
- Don’t overload the paper tray
- Keep the printer clean and dust-free
- Use genuine or quality-compatible ink cartridges
- Don’t open covers during printing
- Turn off properly (use power button, not unplugging)
FAQ
What causes Canon error 6000?
Error 6000 is caused by the print head carriage being unable to move freely. Common causes include paper jams, packing materials left inside, foreign objects, improperly installed ink cartridges, or mechanical damage to the carriage mechanism.
Can I fix error 6000 myself?
Yes, most cases are fixable at home. Check for jammed paper, remove any obstructions, ensure ink cartridges are properly installed, and verify the carriage moves freely. Only contact Canon if the error persists after thorough troubleshooting.
Why does error 6000 appear after replacing ink?
The ink cartridge may not be fully seated, or protective tape wasn’t removed from the new cartridge. Remove the cartridges, check for any tape on the copper contacts or ink nozzles, and reinstall firmly until you hear a click.
Is error 6000 covered under warranty?
If it’s a manufacturing defect or mechanical failure not caused by user error, yes. Paper jams caused by using wrong paper or debris are typically not covered. Canon’s warranty is usually 1 year from purchase.
Can I still print with error 6000?
No, error 6000 prevents all printing until resolved. The printer won’t operate until the carriage obstruction is cleared and the error is reset by power cycling.
What if the carriage won’t move at all?
If the carriage is completely stuck and won’t move even gently, don’t force it. There may be a mechanical failure or severe jam. Try unplugging for 10 minutes, then try again. If still stuck, contact Canon Support for repair.
