Canon error E03 (paper jam on PIXMA with LED display)
E03 on the small segment display of budget PIXMA printers means a paper jam or a paper feed problem. The printer detected paper in the path that did not reach the exit in time, or paper is present at start-up. It stops until the paper is removed and the OK or Resume button is pressed.
What causes it
- Paper fed crooked or two sheets fed together
- Paper too thick, curled, or loaded beyond the tray limit
- A scrap of paper left in the rear path
- Output tray not extended, so paper cannot exit
- Dirty feed roller
How to fix it, in order
Work down the list and stop when the printer recovers. The steps are ordered from most likely and least invasive to last resort.
Turn the printer off
Press the power button so the rollers stop. Do not pull paper while the printer is trying to feed.
Remove the paper from the rear tray
Lift the stack out and check inside the tray slot for a jammed sheet. Pull any paper out slowly and straight.
Pull paper from the output side
Extend the output tray and pull jammed paper towards you. Check under the cover by lifting it and looking at the carriage area.
Check the rear cover
On models with a rear cover or transport unit, remove it and clear any paper. Refit it firmly.
Clean the feed roller
Hold the Setup button until the display shows the roller cleaning option or use the Canon app's maintenance tools to run Roller Cleaning. Run it once with no paper, then once with plain paper.
Reload and resume
Load a small stack of flat plain paper, set the guide, extend the output tray and press OK or Resume. The printer retries the job.
Stopping it happening again
When it is not worth fixing yourself
If you would rather not work through this alone, a printer specialist can take a look with you on a screen-share and tell you honestly whether the machine is worth saving.
Printers that show this code
Frequently asked questions
The display shows E03 but there is no paper. What next?
Check the rear slot and under the cover with a light for a small scrap, then unplug the printer for a minute and try again.
Does E03 mean the same as support code 1300?
Yes. E03 is the LED-display version of the paper jam code 1300 used on PIXMA printers with screens.
Why does my TS3300 show E03 when the output tray is closed?
Paper cannot exit with the tray closed and jams at the front. Always extend the output tray before printing.
Questions & comments (0)
No comments yet. Describe your printer model, operating system and the exact message you see; comments appear after review.
Ask about this page
Your comment appears after our team approves it. Or sign in to post faster.