Canon Error E59 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Updated July 2026 · Independent PrinterCare USA support guide
The Canon E59 error is frustrating because your printer stops mid-job without a clear explanation on the display panel. This error specifically means that the paper size you selected in your print settings does not match the paper size loaded in your printer's tray, or the printer's memory has become confused about which tray contains what size.
The good news is that this error is almost always fixable without calling a technician. Most users resolve it within minutes by checking their tray settings and clearing the printer's error state. We'll walk you through every step in order from simplest to most technical.
How to fix it — step by step
- Check the paper size in your active print tray. Open the paper tray drawer on your Canon printer and look at the paper currently loaded. Most tray labels show standard sizes like Letter (8.5 by 11 inches), Legal (8.5 by 14 inches), or A4 (210 by 297 millimeters). Note the exact size and close the tray gently.
- Verify your document print settings match the loaded paper. On Windows 11, open your document and go to File, then Print. Look at the printer settings window and find the paper size dropdown menu, usually labeled Paper Size or Page Setup. Change it to match the paper currently in your tray and click Apply or OK.
- Check macOS print settings if using Mac. If you are on macOS, open your document and press Command+P to open the print dialog. Click the Paper Size dropdown menu and select the size that matches your loaded paper. Make sure the correct Canon printer is selected at the top of the dialog.
- Cancel any stuck print jobs in the printer queue. On Windows 11, go to Settings, then Devices, then Printers and Scanners. Find your Canon printer, click it, and select Open Queue. Right-click any jobs listed and choose Cancel or Delete. This clears jobs that may be causing the error.
- Power cycle the Canon printer completely. Turn off the printer using the power button on the device itself, not a power strip. Unplug the power cable from the back of the printer and wait for 30 seconds while it fully drains. Plug the cable back in and press the power button to restart the printer completely.
- Clear the printer's error log through the control panel. On the Canon printer's display screen or control panel, look for a Menu or Settings button. Navigate to Maintenance, Error Log, or Service Settings and select Clear All or Reset Error Log. This removes the E59 error from the printer's memory.
- Test with a simple print job on standard letter paper. Load standard white 8.5 by 11 inch letter-size paper into the main tray. Open Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on macOS, type a few lines of text, and print one page. If the test page prints without the E59 error, your issue is resolved.
- Contact Canon support or a technician if error persists. If you have completed all steps above and the E59 error still appears, the printer may have an internal sensor issue or memory corruption requiring professional service. Canon support offers remote diagnostic sessions for $49, or you can schedule an in-home technician visit through an authorized Canon service center.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does my Canon printer keep showing E59 even after I reload the paper?
The error may still be in the printer's memory even after you fix the actual problem. Always power cycle the printer by unplugging it for 30 seconds after changing your paper or print settings. Also check that you are selecting the correct tray in your print settings if your printer has multiple trays, as the wrong tray selection can trigger E59.
Does the E59 error mean my Canon printer is broken?
No. The E59 error is almost always a settings mismatch or temporary confusion in the printer's tray detection system, not a hardware failure. Fewer than 5 percent of E59 cases require actual repair work. Following the steps in this guide resolves the issue for the vast majority of users.
Can I print in a different paper size to avoid the E59 error?
You can try loading a different paper size and updating your print settings to match, but this is only a temporary workaround. The real fix is to load the paper size you actually need and ensure your print settings match exactly. Once you do this and power cycle, the error should not return.
What if I have a multi-tray Canon printer and E59 keeps appearing?
Multi-tray printers require you to specify which tray you are printing from in your print settings. Open your print dialog and look for a Tray Selection or Paper Source option. Make sure it matches the tray where you actually loaded your paper. After changing this setting, power cycle the printer to clear the error.