I need to understand why my printer is flashing the color & black with a symbol showing and flashing the number 5

Canon printer light blinking error is a common error. Each printer features a flashing light to indicate its functionality. With Canon printers, you have flashing green and orange lights to inform you of any existing problems. It is suggested to carefully observe the number of flashes or the pattern of blinking lights as this will help you to understand the problem. And depending on the pattern, you can follow our canon printer troubleshooting guide mentioned below to solve that issue.

What does triangle with lightning bolt mean on Canon printer?

The orange triangle with the lightning bolt comes on when the printer is plugged in. The white light above the power button is on, but the printer is otherwise dead.

What does the orange triangle mean on my Canon printer?

When a printer error occurs, the Alarm lamp flashes orange as shown below. The number of flashes indicates the type of error that has occurred. Count the flashes and take the appropriate action to correct the error. Power Lamp Flashes Green.

What does the triangle symbol mean on my canon printer?

Seeing a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark usually indicates that a hardware device needs to be updated. If you are seeing the mark in Device Manager, we recommend checking the device status of the printer driver.

What does the flashing yellow light mean on Canon printer?

When an error occurs in printing such as the machine is out of paper or paper is jammed, a troubleshooting message is displayed automatically. Take the appropriate action described in the message. When an error occurs, the Alarm lamp flashes orange and a Support Code (error number) is displayed on the computer screen.

Try for Hard Reset

r u sure new cartridge is not refilled one?

E5 error means cartridges are not readable.

When you refill your canon cartridge, especially for color one, it happens. (after 4~5 times of refills)

So you have to replace the cartridge with brand new one.

(for your additional reference, it doesn't happen to black cartridge)

So at least you can refill black...

If you would like to save money, try nozzle injection refill kit by ROADINK.
Not only they are easy, but also the printing quality is good.
For your better understanding pls check out my youtube video.
And will see how easy ink refill can be done.">

go to Canon U.S.A. : Support & Drivers : Consumer & Home Office

In printer utility settings, you have to modify the ink cartridge settings and specify that printer should use only black ink cartridge. Click apply. Then press "stop\reset" button for 5-7 sec. and then release
it. Then it will work!

After E display flashing one or two numbers.If number is 5 one or both print cartridge is failed.Replace first color, if not help replace and black.
If is other number check this error in this site.

Turn on the printer, press the cancel button (upside down triangle inside a circle symbol), now press the Setup button (spanner symbol). Press the up/down arrows (or number 5) until you see "5.replace cartridge". Now press OK, the carriage will move to the replacement position.

The user guide can be downloaded from Epson here:
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&infoType=Doc&oid=58607&prodoid=58654753

Hope this helps, please take a moment to rate this solution. Thanks

The waste toner is full, need to dispose...

No, you can't print with only one cartridge in the printer. The printer needs both of them to close the electric circuit. Remove the color cartridge and inspect it. Clean the electric contacts on it- sometimes, when the contacts are dirty, the printer cannot recognize the cartridge. If that doesn't do the trick, you will need to replace the color cartridge.

Open the cover of the printer, carriage will move out. Upside it you see a yellow arrow showing to on of 5 symbols. Left symbol means empty color cartridge, second symbol means empty black cartridge