Can a disconnected or faulty scanner cable cause Error 5011 on a Canon MP287?

Yes, a disconnected, loose, or damaged scanner cable is a very common cause for Error 5011 on the Canon MP287. The scanner unit communicates with the main logic board via this cable, and if the connection is interrupted or faulty, the printer will not be able to detect or control the scanner. This leads to the 5011 error as the scanner cannot initialize. Re-seating this cable, if accessible and you are comfortable opening the printer, can sometimes resolve the issue.