Quick Fix for Canon Printer Error E03

Canon Printer Error E03 indicates a paper jam — paper has become stuck inside the printer and is blocking the paper path. Open all access doors (front, rear, and any jam-clearance panels), gently remove any jammed paper by pulling it slowly and evenly in the direction of the paper path, close all panels securely, and press the Resume/Stop button to clear the E03 error. Never pull jammed paper against the feed direction as this can damage internal rollers.

What Is Canon Printer Error E03?

Error E03 on Canon PIXMA and Canon inkjet printers is the paper jam error. It means the printer detected that paper has stopped moving inside the paper path where it should not have stopped. On models without an LCD screen, E03 appears as 3 orange blinks. On models with a display, the code E03 is shown along with a paper jam notification.

Common Causes of Canon Error E03

• Actual paper jam – A sheet of paper has become stuck in the feed path, output path, or duplexing unit.
• Torn paper fragments – A small piece left from a previous jam is blocking the path.
• Overfilled paper tray – Loading too many sheets can bunch paper and cause jams.
• Wrong paper type or size – Envelopes, labels, or thick media that the printer cannot handle.
• Worn or dirty rollers – Paper slips and stalls instead of feeding smoothly.

You got this!

Follow the steps below one at a time — many error codes can be fixed faster than they look.

How to Fix Canon Printer Error E03 – Step by Step

Step 1: Turn Off the Printer

Press the power button to turn the printer off before attempting to clear a jam. This prevents the printer from trying to feed more paper while you are working inside and reduces the risk of damaging the rollers or print head.

Step 2: Open All Access Panels

Open the front cover, the rear access panel (if your model has one), and the document feeder if applicable. Use a flashlight to look through the paper path and locate the jammed sheet or fragment.

Step 3: Remove the Jammed Paper

Grip the jammed paper with both hands as close to the jam point as possible. Pull it out slowly and steadily in the natural direction of travel (usually toward the output tray). Avoid tearing the paper. If you cannot get a firm grip, use the rear access panel for better access to the paper path.

Step 4: Check for Torn Fragments

After removing the jammed sheet, inspect the entire visible paper path carefully for any small torn pieces. Even a fragment the size of a thumbnail can trigger E03 on the next print job. Remove all visible paper debris before closing the panels.

Step 5: Reload the Paper Tray

Remove all remaining paper from the cassette. Fan the stack, realign the edges, and reload no more than the maximum capacity indicated inside the tray (usually marked with a line or arrow). Make sure the paper guides are snug but not squeezing the paper stack.

Step 6: Press Resume and Test

Close all covers and panels. Turn the printer back on. Press the Resume button once to clear the E03 error. Print a test page to confirm the jam is fully resolved.

Step 7: Clean the Feed Rollers

If jams recur frequently, the feed rollers may be worn or dirty. Use a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water to clean any accessible rollers. Canon also provides a built-in roller cleaning utility on many PIXMA models (Setup > Maintenance > Roller Cleaning).

Canon Error E03: When to Contact Canon Support

If the E03 error continues even with no visible paper jam, or if you cannot safely reach and remove the jammed material, contact Canon Support. A technician may need to access deeper internal areas of the paper path that are not user-accessible.

Related: If the paper path is clear but the printer still won’t feed, see Canon Printer Error E02 (no paper detected) and Canon Printer Error 1300.

See also: Printer Error Codes – Complete Guide by Brand — browse all HP, Canon, Brother, and Epson error code fixes in one place.