The ALARM Lamp Flashes on Canon iP1700 & iP 1300 printers

If an error has occurred in the printer, the ALARM lamp flashes after the POWER lamp was turned off and then on. The number of flashes indicates the type of error, as outlined below. Check the cause and then take the appropriate action.

Two flashes: Out of paper or paper feed error

Reload the paper correctly and press the RESUME/CANCEL button.

Three flashes: Paper jam

If paper has jammed in the printer, clear the jam, reload the paper in the printer correctly and then press the RESUME/CANCEL button.

Four flashes: The ink may have run out

Ink has run out.
Replace the FINE Cartridge, and close the Front Cover. If lines are misaligned or the resulting output is not satisfactory, carry out the Print Head Alignment.
If printing is in progress and you want to continue printing, press the RESUME/CANCEL button. Then printing can continue under the ink out condition with the FINE Cartridge installed. Replace the empty FINE Cartridge immediately after the printing. The resulting print quality is not satisfactory, if printing is continued under the ink out condition.

Five flashes: The FINE Cartridge cannot be recognized

Possible causes are as follows:

The FINE Cartridge may not be installed properly.

The FINE Cartridge may not be the compatible with this printer.

Install the appropriate FINE Cartridge. If lines are misaligned or the resulting output is not satisfactory, carry out the Print Head Alignment.

Seven Flashes: The FINE Cartridge is not installed in the appropriate position

Some FINE Cartridges are not installed in place.
Install the FINE Cartridges in the appropriate positions.

Eight flashes: Ink absorber is almost full

Ink used for cleaning is absorbed in a ink absorber inside the machine.
Press the RESUME/CANCEL button to dismiss the error message and continue printing. You can continue printing for a while, but once the ink absorber becomes completely full, you will not be able to print until the ink absorber is replaced.

Fourteen Flashes: The FINE Cartridge cannot be recognized

The FINE Cartridge may not be the compatible with this printer.
Install the appropriate FINE Cartridge. If lines are misaligned or the resulting output is not satisfactory, carry out the Print Head Alignment.

Fifteen Flashes: The FINE Cartridge cannot be recognized

Possible causes are as follows:

The FINE Cartridge may not be installed properly.

The FINE Cartridge may not be the compatible with this printer.

Install the appropriate FINE Cartridge. If lines are misaligned or the resulting output is not satisfactory, carry out the Print Head Alignment.

Sixteen Flashes: The ink level cannot be correctly detected

Possible causes are as follows:

This FINE Cartridge has previously been used.

Ink may have run out.

The function for detecting the remaining ink level will be disabled since the remaining ink level cannot be correctly detected. If you want to continue printing without this function, press the RESUME/CANCEL button.

Note:
The POWER Lamp (green) and ALARM Lamp (orange) Flashes Alternately:

Disconnect the printer cable from the printer, and then turn the printer off and then unplug the printer from the power supply for a while. Plug the printer back in and turn the printer back on.

If the problem remains, contact a Canon service representative.

Credit source: Canon Inc