PIXMA iP8720 ink cartridge is stuck on right side, white, yellow lights keep alternating flashing

[maryanneramirez]

My canon ip8720 printer won't print now. The ink cartridge is stuck to the right side and won't move when I lift open the top. The white and yellow lights keep alternating flashing. It flashes 12 times. I made sure there's no paper jam or nothing blocking. I don't know what else to do. Help!

[DerrickL]

The white (power) and alternating yellow/orange (alarm) flashing lights on a Canon PIXMA iP8720 with a stuck carriage typically indicate a carriage jam, a mechanical obstruction, or a critical hardware error (such as 10 flashes denoting a serious printhead or logic issue). 

Immediate Steps to Clear the Jam

• Unplug the printer: Disconnect the power cord from the back of the printer while it is turned on to release the internal locks safely. 

• Check for obstructions: Open the top cover and look along the track on the right side. Look for bits of torn paper, packing tape left on a new cartridge, or a derailed service station. 

• Inspect the cartridges: Make sure all ink tanks are clicked down securely and none are sitting crooked or missing their orange protective tape.

• Manually move the carriage: If the printer is fully unplugged, try gently sliding the printhead carriage away from the right side toward the center to see if something is blocking its parking position. Do not force it if it is tightly locked.

• Perform a hard reset: Leave the power unplugged for about 5 minutes, plug it directly into a wall outlet (avoiding extension cords), and power it back on. 

Count the exact number of yellow flashes between pauses if the error persists, as it corresponds to a specific support code on your computer screen.