Canon Error E02 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Updated July 2026 · Independent PrinterCare USA support guide
Canon printers throw error E02 when the paper sensor fails to detect sheet stock in the input tray or when paper jams inside the feed path. This is one of the most common errors we see, and the good news is that nine out of ten times you can fix it yourself in under five minutes without any tools.
We understand how frustrating it is when your printer suddenly refuses to work, especially when you have documents to print. This guide walks you through every diagnostic step a Canon service technician would perform, starting with the simplest solutions first.
How to fix it — step by step
- Check the paper tray and reload. Open the input tray on your Canon printer and verify that paper is actually present and stacked properly. Remove any paper that is there, fan through a fresh ream of standard twenty pound white paper to separate the sheets, and place it back in the tray with the print side facing down. Push the tray firmly back into the printer until it clicks into place.
- Remove any visible paper jams. Open every access door and panel on your printer, including the rear output tray cover and any side compartments. Look carefully inside for torn paper fragments, labels, or debris caught in the rollers or feed path. Gently remove any stuck paper by pulling it straight out in the direction of the paper path, and use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe the rubber feed rollers.
- Power cycle your printer completely. Turn off your Canon printer using the power button and wait for all lights to extinguish. Unplug the power cable from the electrical outlet and wait for thirty seconds to allow the printer's internal capacitors to fully discharge. Plug the power cable back in and turn the printer on, then wait two minutes for it to complete its startup sequence.
- Check paper sensor areas for debris. With the printer powered on, locate the paper sensor near the input tray, which typically appears as a small black or gray lever or optical sensor. Inspect this area carefully for dust, paper particles, or dried toner residue that might be blocking the sensor from detecting paper. Use a clean, dry cotton swab to gently wipe the sensor lens and the surrounding area without applying excessive pressure.
- Verify tray sensor functionality. Open the input tray again and look for a small plastic or metal lever on the tray itself that moves when paper is inserted or removed. This tray detect sensor should move freely without sticking or resistance. If the lever appears bent, cracked, or immobile, this is likely the cause of your E02 error and you may need sensor replacement.
- Test with different paper types and weights. Try loading the printer with a small stack of standard twenty pound copy paper from a different manufacturer or package to rule out a paper quality issue. Avoid using specialty paper, cardstock, or paper that has been sitting in humid conditions, as moisture-warped paper may fail to feed properly. If standard paper feeds successfully, your issue is resolved; if the E02 error returns, proceed to the next step.
- Clear the print queue on your computer. On Windows eleven, open Settings, navigate to Devices and then Printers and Scanners, find your Canon printer, click on it, and select Open Queue. Right-click each job in the queue and select Cancel, then restart the print spooler service by typing Services in the Start menu and restarting Print Spooler. On macOS, go to System Settings, Printers and Scanners, select your Canon printer, and click the Delete button next to any stuck print jobs.
- Perform a factory reset if the error persists. Access your Canon printer's menu system using the control panel buttons and navigate to the Settings or Maintenance section, where you should find a Factory Reset or Initialize option. Confirm the reset when prompted, and allow the printer five minutes to restart and reload its default configuration. After the reset completes, reload paper and attempt to print a test page.
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Frequently asked questions
Does E02 always mean the printer is out of paper?
Not necessarily. While E02 sometimes indicates an empty tray, it more often points to a jammed paper sensor, a stuck paper sensor lever, or debris blocking the feed mechanism. Even if paper is loaded correctly, a faulty sensor will still trigger the error, which is why clearing jams and cleaning sensors is usually the real fix.
Why does the error come back immediately after I reload the paper?
This usually means the paper sensor itself is dirty, misaligned, or defective. When the sensor cannot detect the paper even though it is present, the error repeats on every print attempt. Cleaning the sensor with a cotton swab or having the sensor replaced are the most reliable solutions in this case.
Can I use the manual feed tray to bypass the E02 error?
Yes, many Canon printers have a manual or multipurpose feed slot that uses a different sensor path. If your main tray triggers E02 but manual feed works, this confirms that the input tray sensor is the problem and not a general mechanical failure. You can continue printing via manual feed while arranging for sensor replacement.
What if none of these steps work and I still see E02?
If you have completed all troubleshooting steps and the error persists, your printer likely needs professional service to replace the paper detection sensor or fix a deeper mechanical issue. Many repair shops and some Canon authorized service centers can resolve this for between forty nine and one hundred twenty five dollars depending on your printer model and warranty status.