If you need to **fix a paper jam in a Canon printer**, π 1-866-490-0338(USA/UK) βοΈ the first rule is simple: do not yank the paper out. Pulling too hard can tear the sheet, leave small paper bits inside, damage rollers, or make the paper jam error worse.
A Canon printer paper jam usually happens when paper is loaded incorrectly, the tray is overloaded, the paper is curled, rollers are dusty, or a small torn piece is stuck inside the printer path. Sometimes the printer may still show a paper jam even after you removed the visible sheet.
The safest fix is to turn off the printer, remove paper slowly from the correct direction, inspect all access areas, clean the rollers if needed, reload paper properly, and then reset the printer.
To fix a **Canon printer paper jam**, turn off the printer, unplug it, remove loose paper from the tray, gently pull jammed paper in the paper-feed direction, open the rear cover or output area if available, remove torn pieces, check rollers, reload paper correctly, restart the printer, and print a test page.
.. Quick Paper Jam Fix Checklist
Try this safe checklist first:
1. Cancel the print job.
2. Turn off the Canon printer.
3. Unplug the power cable.
4. Remove loose paper from the tray.
5. Open the paper output area.
6. Gently remove stuck paper.
7. Check rear cover if your model has one.
8. Remove torn paper scraps.
9. Reload clean, flat paper.
10. Restart printer and print a test page.
If the paper jam error stays, follow the full guide below.
# Why Canon Printers Get Paper Jams
Paper jams can happen for many simple reasons:
* Paper tray is overloaded
* Paper guides are too tight or too loose
* Paper is curled, damp, or folded
* Wrong paper size is selected
* Mixed paper types are loaded together
* Dust is on feed rollers
* Small paper piece is stuck inside
* Paper was pulled out at the wrong angle
* Printer is placed on an uneven surface
* Rollers are worn or dirty
* Labels or thick paper are not supported
* Paper was inserted too far into the rear tray
Knowing the cause helps stop repeat jams.
# Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Canon Printer Paper Jam
.. 1. Cancel the Print Job First
Before touching the printer, cancel the active print job.
On Windows:
1. Open **Settings**.
2. Go to **Printers & scanners**.
3. Select your Canon printer.
4. Click **Open print queue**.
5. Cancel all pending jobs.
On Mac:
1. Open **Printers & Scanners**.
2. Select your Canon printer.
3. Open the queue.
4. Cancel stuck jobs.
This stops the printer from trying to pull paper while you are clearing the jam.
.. 2. Turn Off and Unplug the Printer
Safety comes first.
Steps:
1. Press the power button.
2. Wait for the printer to turn off.
3. Unplug the power cable.
4. Disconnect USB cable if connected.
5. Wait 30–60 seconds.
Do not remove jammed paper while the printer is still trying to feed or print.
.. 3. Remove Loose Paper From the Tray
Take out all loose sheets from the input tray or rear tray.
Check for:
* Bent corners
* Folded sheets
* Damp paper
* Torn paper
* Mixed paper sizes
* Too many sheets
* Labels or envelopes loaded incorrectly
Do not reload the same damaged paper. Use fresh, flat paper later.
.. 4. Pull the Jammed Paper Slowly
If you can see the stuck paper, pull it gently using both hands.
Important tips:
* Pull slowly.
* Pull in the normal paper-feed direction.
* Keep the sheet straight.
* Do not twist the paper.
* Do not use sharp tools.
* Stop if the paper starts tearing.
If the paper tears, you must find and remove all small pieces before printing again.
.. 5. Check the Paper Output Slot
Paper may be stuck near the front output area.
Look carefully inside the output slot. If you see paper:
1. Hold it with both hands.
2. Pull gently and evenly.
3. Avoid sudden force.
4. Check for torn corners.
Use a flashlight if needed. Do not push objects deep into the printer.
.. 6. Open the Rear Cover or Back Access Area
Many Canon printers allow jam removal from the back side. This is often safer than pulling paper forward.
If your model has a rear cover:
1. Open the rear cover.
2. Look for jammed paper.
3. Pull the paper slowly.
4. Check rollers and corners.
5. Close the rear cover firmly.
If your model does not have a rear cover, check the manual for the correct jam removal path.
.. 7. Check Inside the Scanner or Cartridge Area
Some Canon inkjet models may require opening the scanner unit or top cover to check inside.
Do this carefully:
1. Open the top/scanner unit slowly.
2. Wait if the cartridge holder moves.
3. Do not touch encoder strip or internal cables.
4. Look for torn paper.
5. Remove visible scraps gently.
6. Close the cover properly.
Avoid touching ink nozzles, printhead contacts, or clear plastic strips.
.. 8. Remove Tiny Torn Paper Pieces
Even a small scrap can trigger a paper jam error.
Check these areas:
* Input tray
* Output slot
* Rear cover
* Under cartridge path
* Around rollers
* Paper corners
* Duplex area if available
Use a flashlight. If you cannot reach a piece safely, do not force it with sharp objects.
.. 9. Check and Clean the Paper Rollers
Dirty rollers can cause repeat jams or paper feed errors.
Basic cleaning method:
1. Turn off and unplug the printer.
2. Remove paper from tray.
3. Look for visible dust on rollers.
4. Use a clean, lint-free cloth.
5. Slightly dampen with water if needed.
6. Wipe rollers gently.
7. Let them dry fully.
8. Reload paper.
Do not use oil, alcohol, or harsh cleaners unless your Canon manual specifically allows it.
.. 10. Reload Paper Correctly
Incorrect paper loading is a major reason for Canon paper jams.
Do this:
1. Use clean, flat paper.
2. Fan the stack lightly.
3. Align the paper edges.
4. Load only one paper size.
5. Do not overfill the tray.
6. Adjust paper guides gently.
7. Do not press guides too tightly.
8. Match paper size in print settings.
The paper should sit flat and move smoothly.
.. 11. Restart the Printer
After removing the jam:
1. Plug the printer back in.
2. Turn it on.
3. Wait for startup to finish.
4. Check if the jam message clears.
5. Print a test page.
If the printer still says paper jam, turn it off and inspect again for scraps.
# Common Canon Paper Jam Problems and Fixes
.. Canon Printer Says Paper Jam but No Paper
This usually means a small torn piece is stuck inside, a sensor is blocked, the rear cover is not closed, or rollers are dirty. Turn off the printer, inspect all paper paths, clean rollers, and restart.
.. Canon Printer Keeps Jamming Paper
Repeat jams are often caused by bad paper, overloaded tray, wrong paper size, dusty rollers, or worn feed rollers. Use fresh paper, reduce stack size, and clean rollers.
.. Canon Printer Paper Stuck Inside
Turn off and unplug the printer. Open the rear cover, output slot, or scanner unit depending on your model. Pull the paper gently with both hands and remove torn pieces.
.. Canon Printer Jammed During Double-Sided Printing
Duplex jams can happen when paper curls or the duplex path is dirty. Remove paper from the rear or duplex area if available, then use flat paper and correct paper settings.
.. Canon Printer Pulling Paper Crooked
Check paper guides, paper stack alignment, tray loading, and roller dust. Make sure the printer is on a flat surface.
.. Canon Printer Not Printing After Paper Jam
Clear the print queue, restart the printer, check for remaining scraps, close all covers, reload paper, and print a test page.
# Advanced Troubleshooting for Canon Paper Jam Errors
.. 1. Reset the Printer After Clearing Jam
If the jam is removed but the error remains:
1. Turn off the printer.
2. Unplug the power cable.
3. Wait 2 minutes.
4. Plug it back in.
5. Turn it on.
6. Try a test print.
This resets temporary jam detection.
.. 2. Check Paper Size Settings
If your printer expects a different paper size, it may feed incorrectly.
Check settings in:
* Printer display menu
* Print dialog box
* Canon printer software
* Paper tray settings
* Document page setup
Make sure the selected size matches the loaded paper.
.. 3. Avoid Mixed Paper Types
Do not mix:
* Glossy paper with plain paper
* Old paper with new paper
* A4 with letter
* Thick paper with thin paper
* Labels with normal paper
* Curled paper with flat paper
Mixed stacks feed unevenly and cause jams.
.. 4. Check for Foreign Objects
Small objects can fall into printers.
Look for:
* Paper clips
* Staples
* Torn labels
* Dust clumps
* Small paper corners
* Packaging material
* Pen caps or tiny objects near rear tray
Do not shake the printer aggressively. Use a flashlight and remove only what you can safely reach.
.. 5. Inspect the Rear Tray and Feed Slot
Rear-tray Canon printers can jam if paper is inserted unevenly or too far.
Check that:
* Paper is centered
* Guides touch lightly
* Stack is not leaning
* Paper is not curled backward
* Tray support is extended correctly
Reload and try one sheet first.
.. 6. Service the Printer if Rollers Are Worn
If your Canon printer jams every time even with good paper and clean rollers, the feed rollers may be worn.
Signs include:
* Paper slips
* Multiple sheets feed together
* Paper enters crooked
* Repeated jam in same place
* Printer cannot pick paper
* Grinding or clicking sounds
In this case, contact Canon support or a qualified printer technician.
# What Not to Do During a Canon Paper Jam
Avoid these mistakes:
* Do not pull paper with force.
* Do not use knives, pens, or screwdrivers.
* Do not turn the printer upside down aggressively.
* Do not touch internal encoder strip.
* Do not pull cartridge holder manually with force.
* Do not reload torn or damp paper.
* Do not overfill the tray.
* Do not keep printing after repeated jams.
* Do not ignore small paper scraps.
* Do not use unsupported thick paper.
Careful removal prevents bigger printer damage.
# Pro Tips to Prevent Canon Printer Paper Jams
* Use clean, dry, flat paper.
* Store paper in a dry place.
* Do not overload the paper tray.
* Fan paper lightly before loading.
* Align paper edges before inserting.
* Adjust paper guides correctly.
* Use the right paper type setting.
* Clean rollers occasionally.
* Remove printed pages before the output tray overfills.
* Keep the printer on a stable, flat surface.
* Avoid printing on curled or damaged paper.
* Use supported paper types for your Canon model.
These habits reduce paper jams and paper feed problems.
# People Also Ask: Canon Printer Paper Jam FAQs
.. How do I remove jammed paper from my Canon printer? β 1β866((490))β0338 β‘
Turn off and unplug the Canon printer, remove loose paper from the tray, open the output slot or rear cover, gently pull the jammed paper with both hands, remove torn scraps, close all covers, reload paper, and restart the printer.
.. Why does my Canon printer say paper jam when there is no paper? β 1β866((490))β0338 β‘
Your Canon printer may still show paper jam because a small torn piece is stuck inside, a paper sensor is blocked, rollers are dirty, a cover is not closed properly, or the printer needs a reset after clearing the jam.
.. Why does my Canon printer keep jamming paper? β 1β866((490))β0338 β‘
Canon printers keep jamming when the paper tray is overloaded, paper is curled or damp, paper guides are misaligned, rollers are dusty, paper size settings are wrong, or the feed rollers are worn.
.. Can I pull paper out from the front of a Canon printer? β 1β866((490))β0338 β‘
Yes, only if the paper is visible and pulls out smoothly. Pull slowly with both hands in the paper-feed direction. If it resists, check the rear cover or internal paper path instead.
.. How do I clear a Canon paper jam error after removing paper? β 1β866((490))β0338 β‘
Turn the printer off, unplug it for one to two minutes, check again for torn scraps, close all covers firmly, reload paper correctly, turn the printer back on, and print a test page.
.. Should I clean Canon printer rollers after a paper jam? β 1β866((490))β0338 β‘
Yes, if jams repeat or paper feeds crookedly. Turn off and unplug the printer, then gently clean the rollers with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water. Let them dry before printing.
# Soft Conclusion
A **Canon printer paper jam** is usually fixable if you work slowly and safely. Start by turning off the printer, removing loose paper, pulling stuck paper gently, checking the rear cover and output area, and removing every torn scrap.
If the jam keeps coming back, focus on paper quality, tray loading, paper size settings, and roller cleaning. With careful handling and proper paper loading, your Canon printer should feed pages smoothly again.