DIAGNOSIS A steady blinking orange power light is a general hardware error. It often means the printer can’t complete its startup self-check, which could be due to a stuck carriage, a paper jam it detected but you can’t see, or a faulty ink cartridge.
FIX 1) Unplug the power cord from the back of the printer and from the wall outlet. Wait a full 60 seconds. 2) While it’s unplugged, open all covers—the front output tray, the rear paper feed cover, and the scanner lid. Check meticulously for any scraps of paper, especially in the rear feed area. 3) Remove both ink cartridges and re-seat them firmly until they click. 4) Plug the power cord directly into a wall outlet (not a power strip), and turn the printer on. The full restart often clears the error state.
IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the blinking continues, the issue is likely the carriage being in an abnormal position. With the printer off and unplugged, gently try to move the print head carriage by hand. If it’s stuck in the middle, guide it all the way to the right side into its parked position. Then plug in and power on.
HEADS UP If the blinking is a fast pattern (like two quick blinks, pause, repeat), that’s a specific error code. Write down the blink pattern and look up “Canon TS3520 blink codes” online for a more targeted fix.