Canon Error E23 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Updated July 2026 · Independent PrinterCare USA support guide
The E23 error on Canon PIXMA printers is frustrating because your machine stops dead in the middle of a job, but the good news is that ninety percent of the time you can fix it yourself in under ten minutes. This error specifically tells you that the automatic document feeder or main paper feed mechanism has detected a problem—either paper is physically stuck, sensors are blocked by dust or debris, or the rollers that grab paper have lost their grip due to buildup.
We've helped thousands of users resolve E23 errors by following a systematic approach that starts with the simplest solutions and moves to more detailed cleaning. You won't need special tools beyond what most offices already have on hand, and you'll avoid expensive service calls.
How to fix it — step by step
- Power down and unplug your printer. Turn off your Canon PIXMA using the power button and wait thirty seconds for the machine to fully shut down. Then unplug the power cable from the wall outlet or power strip and leave it disconnected for at least two minutes. This resets the printer's internal sensors and clears any temporary error states that might be causing false E23 readings.
- Open all access panels and visually inspect the paper path. Open the rear access door, the front paper tray cover, and the ADF (automatic document feeder) cover if your model has one. Look directly into the paper feed path using a flashlight and look for torn pieces of paper, crumpled edges, or foreign objects like staples, tape, or bits of label stuck inside. Gently remove anything you see using needle-nose pliers or tweezers; never force anything.
- Check and clear the pickup roller area. Locate the rubber pickup roller at the bottom of the paper tray area, which is the part that grabs paper from the stack. Look for white paper dust, ink residue, or a shiny buildup that makes the roller look slick instead of grippy. If you see buildup, dip a lint-free cloth in distilled water and gently wipe the entire length of the roller while slowly rotating it by hand; do not use tap water, which contains minerals that cause problems.
- Clean the feed roller assembly. Find the feed roller—usually a hard plastic wheel that moves paper through the machine—and inspect it for the same dust and residue buildup. Wipe this roller thoroughly with a damp lint-free cloth, rotating it slowly by hand to clean the entire surface. Pay special attention to any grooves or ridges where paper dust likes to accumulate.
- Clean the paper feed sensors. Look for small optical sensors (they look like tiny dark windows or small LED lights) near the paper path where sheets enter the feeder and main printing area. These sensors get blocked by dust and cause E23 errors because the printer thinks no paper is feeding when there actually is. Gently clean each sensor with a cotton swab or soft cloth barely dampened with distilled water, using gentle circular motions.
- Inspect the separation pad if your model has an ADF. If your printer has an automatic document feeder on top, look for the separation pad, which is usually a small rubber or felt pad that helps separate sheets one at a time. This pad hardens and loses grip over time and causes E23 errors because multiple sheets get fed at once or sheets do not feed. If the pad looks shiny, hard, or crumbly, it likely needs replacement; contact Canon support or a local technician for a replacement part, which typically costs between twenty dollars and forty dollars.
- Reassemble, plug in, and run a test print. Close all access panels securely, plug the printer back into power, and wait for all startup sounds and lights to finish. Load a fresh stack of plain white copy paper into the tray, press the power button to turn the machine on, and send a test print from your computer. If the error does not return, the problem is solved; if E23 appears again, move to the next step.
- Reset the printer to factory defaults or contact support. If E23 persists after cleaning, the sensors or rollers may be damaged and need professional replacement. You can attempt a factory reset by holding the power button for ten seconds while the printer is on, but if that does not clear the error, the machine likely needs a technician visit or remote support session, which many Canon-authorized service providers offer for around forty-nine dollars.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does my Canon PIXMA keep showing E23 even after I cleaned everything?
Persistent E23 errors usually mean the paper feed sensor itself is malfunctioning, the roller motor is failing, or there is still a tiny piece of paper stuck somewhere you have not found yet. Try opening the access panels again and shining a bright flashlight into every corner of the paper path; sometimes small fragments hide behind plastic guides. If you have done thorough cleaning and the error persists, the sensor or motor likely needs professional replacement.
Can I use regular water instead of distilled water to clean the rollers?
No, regular tap water contains minerals and chlorine that leave residue on the rollers and sensors, which actually makes E23 errors worse over time. Always use distilled water, which you can buy at any grocery store or pharmacy for just a few dollars per gallon. If you have already used tap water, let the parts dry completely and then clean them again with distilled water on a fresh cloth.
Is E23 the same as a paper jam error?
E23 is technically a paper feed error rather than a true jam, which means the printer detected that paper is not moving correctly, but it does not necessarily mean paper is physically stuck. However, the solutions are almost identical: you still need to clear the paper path, clean the rollers, and clean the sensors. If you see an actual jammed sheet visible inside the machine, remove it gently before following the other steps.
My separation pad looks fine but E23 keeps happening, what else could it be?
If the separation pad looks good, the problem is most likely a dirty or failing pickup roller that cannot grip the paper properly, or a blocked feed sensor that thinks no paper is present. You can also try removing the paper tray entirely, cleaning underneath where the tray sits, and replacing the paper with a fresh ream from a new package, since damp or curled paper can trigger E23. If none of these steps work, the pickup roller may be worn out and need replacement by a professional technician.