Canon Printer Error 6000 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error 6000 means your Canon printer has a paper feed problem. The printer cannot pick up or advance paper through the paper path properly. This is usually caused by a paper jam, incorrect paper loading, or worn paper feed rollers.

Affected Models

Canon Pixma MP495
Canon Pixma MP280
Canon Pixma MG2900 series
Canon Pixma MG3000 series
Canon Pixma TS3100 series

Common Causes

A piece of paper is jammed somewhere in the paper feed path
Paper is loaded incorrectly — not properly aligned with the paper guides
The paper being used is too thick, too thin, or incompatible with this printer
The paper feed rollers are worn and can no longer grip the paper properly
There is dust or debris on the paper feed rollers preventing them from turning

How to Fix It

Check for a paper jam. Open the printer's back cover or rear access panel and look for any paper stuck in the feed path. Pull any jammed paper out slowly and carefully in the direction it feeds.

Always pull paper in the direction it normally travels through the printer — pulling backwards can tear the paper and make the jam worse.
Remove all paper from the input tray and reload it correctly. Fan the paper stack to separate the sheets, align the edges, and place it in the tray with the paper guides snug against the sides.

Paper guides that are too loose allow multiple sheets to feed at once, causing jams.
Check the paper you are using. Make sure it is within the printer's supported range — typically 64 to 105 g/m² for standard copier paper. Check your printer's manual for exact paper weight limits.

Very heavy card stock or glossy photo paper that is not supported by your specific model will cause feed errors.
Clean the paper feed rollers. Turn the printer off, open the rear access panel, and use a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water to wipe the rubber rollers. Allow them to dry before reloading paper.

Clean rollers grip paper more effectively. Dust and paper fiber build-up on rollers is a very common cause of 6000.
Perform a printer reset if the error persists with no jam visible. Hold the Stop/Reset button for 5 seconds to reset the printer's paper detection sensors.

Sometimes the paper detection sensor triggers a false 6000 error after a previous jam was cleared. A reset re-homes the sensors.

When to Call a Professional

If error 6000 appears even with a fresh stack of paper and no jam visible, the paper feed rollers may be worn out. Roller replacement is a straightforward repair that a technician can perform in 20 to 30 minutes. For inexpensive printers, the cost of roller replacement may approach the cost of a new printer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum paper thickness a Canon Pixma can handle?

Most Canon Pixma inkjet printers support paper weight from 64 g/m² to 105 g/m² for plain paper. For envelopes, the typical max is 75 g/m². For photo paper and card stock, check your specific model's manual — many support up to 300 g/m² for photos with specific settings.

My Canon printer picks up paper but then stops halfway. Is that error 6000?

Yes — a mid-feed stoppage is a common form of error 6000. This usually means the rollers started feeding the paper but lost grip partway through. Check for a partial jam and clean the feed rollers — worn rollers are the most common cause.

How often should I clean the paper feed rollers?

For home users, cleaning the rollers every 3 to 6 months is sufficient. If you print frequently, monthly cleaning keeps the rollers in good condition. If you notice the printer feeding multiple sheets at once or missing feeds, clean the rollers immediately.