An image reading apparatus, including: an image reading unit configured to read an image of an original; an image reading controller configured to control the image reading unit; a signal transmission cable configured to connect the image reading unit and the image reading controller; a drive portion configured to move the image reading unit; and an image signal generation portion, provided in the image reading unit, configured to generate an image signal based on a predetermined pattern, wherein the image reading controller is configured to obtain, through the signal transmission cable, the image signal output from the image signal generation portion while causing the drive portion to move the image reading unit to change a bending state of the signal transmission cable, and to detect whether there is an abnormality in the signal transmission cable based on a pattern of the image signal obtained by the image reading controller.