1406MAXIFY GX5020

Canon MAXIFY GX5020 Error 1406: Position Error

The Canon MAXIFY GX5020 error 1406 occurs when the internal control system loses track of the printhead carriage. The carriage relies on an optical sensor reading a transparent encoder strip; if this strip is contaminated by dust, ink droplets, or grease, the sensor becomes blind, triggering the 1406 fault code.

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Common causes

  • 1Contaminated encoder strip (ink/dust).
  • 2Obstructed position sensor.
  • 3Misaligned encoder strip.
  • 4Optical sensor failure.

Solutions

Quick Diagnosis

If you see the 1406 code, inspect the long, clear plastic film running behind the printhead carriage. If it looks foggy, smudged, or covered in ink particles, this is the root cause.

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Locate: Find the transparent encoder strip running horizontally behind the carriage.
  2. Clean: Using a soft, lint-free cloth moistened with plain water, gently wipe the strip. Do not bend or tear it; it is fragile.
  3. Verify: Once dry, power on the printer and observe the carriage calibration.

Prevention and Maintenance

Keep your printing environment clean. Avoid opening the printer cover unnecessarily to reduce dust ingestion by the optical components.

When to Contact a Technician

If cleaning the strip results in no change, the optical reader sensor mounted on the carriage is likely faulty and requires expert replacement.

Equipment Technical Data

  • Technology: MegaTank Inkjet
  • Component: Optical Encoder Strip
  • Consumable: GI-26 Ink System
  • Recommended Use: Enterprise-grade printing
  • Official Canon Support

Frequently asked questions

The 1406 error means the printer cannot verify the printhead location using the internal encoder strip, halting printing to prevent misalignment.

Yes, cleaning the transparent encoder strip running behind the carriage frequently restores the printer to working order.

Minimize airborne dust around the printer, as it directly affects the optical sensor's ability to read the encoder strip.

It is a temporary hardware interruption. Printing will resume immediately once the sensor correctly identifies the head position.