PIXMA i6820 yellow-white light error code

[jwarrend]

My printer is a few years old and the second or third of these that I've had.  I'm having a problem that I've not seen before.  When I go to print, it partially loads the paper, stops, and starts alternately flashing the white and yellow light.  

The only solution is to unplug it, turn it back on, cancel the previous job, and start the job again, and most of the time this works.

But, this is happening probably about 50% of the time I go to print, so it's become very disruptive and frustrating.  Is there a root cause that can be addressed without sending it out for tech support?

[DerrickL]

Is your printer a Pixma IX6820? I am looking to buy one soon. I guess I can help troubleshoot yours. 

If it is a Pixma IX6820 look at this and tell me how many flashes you have. Scroll down to the alternate flash chart. 

https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/s/article/ART170298

First question: What operating system do you use? 

Second question: How is your printer connected to your device?  Wireless or USB/printer cable?

If it is wireless, I can tell you that WIFI is the source of so many printer issues, they cannot all be listed here. When I purchase an IX6820 it will not be used wirelessly ever! USB/cable or ethernet connection only. The ethernet connection will be good because all the other devices on my home network, such as phones and tablets could print to it as well. 

[jwarrend]

Printing from a Mac, over wifi.  Have never had a problem of this sort with this printer or its predecessors previously.

i'm not sure exactly how many flashes it is but all of the alternating flash codes are a generic "printer error has occurred, cycle power and try again or contact support", but I'm wondering if anyone knows anything a bit more informative than that.

[DerrickL]

The error message, it appears as a pop up on your MAC when the printer stops printing?

[jwarrend]

Thanks, I don't think it's a paper jam but I will check the rollers.

It's not an error message per se but rather it's that the printer manager dialogue box thing shows an error (it won't say what it is) and that printing is paused.  To reset it requires cycling power on the printer, canceling the previous job, resuming printing, and then send the job again.

[DerrickL]

Do you have more than one job in your MAC print cue now? It could have a limit and it has been reached. Tuning the printer off and on and canceling the last print job may get it to work one time before you have to do the same thing again. Windows has that issue sometimes. 

Steps to Clear the Print Queue on a Mac

Accessing Printer Settings

1. Open the Apple menu.
2. Select System Settings.
3. Click on Printers & Scanners.

Clearing the Print Queue

1. Select your printer from the list.
2. Click on Open Print Queue.
3. In the print queue window, identify any stuck print jobs.
4. Right-click (or Control-click) on the stuck job and select Cancel to remove it.

Additional Tips

• If multiple jobs are stuck, you may need to repeat the cancellation process for each one.
• After clearing the queue, try sending your print job again to see if the issue is resolved.