Canon Printer Error E60 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error E60 on a Canon printer means the paper transport motor has stopped or is not responding. The motor that pulls paper through the printer has stalled or failed. This prevents the printer from feeding or moving paper at all.

Affected Models

Canon PIXMA MG Series
Canon PIXMA MX Series
Canon PIXMA TS Series
Canon imageCLASS MF Series
Canon PIXMA TR Series

Common Causes

A paper jam is physically blocking the motor from turning
A small piece of torn paper or foreign object is lodged in the paper feed mechanism
The paper feed motor has worn out due to extended use
The motor's connection to the printer's control board has come loose
The printer has been stored unused for a long time and internal parts have seized

How to Fix It

Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power outlet. Open the printer cover and visually inspect the entire paper path.

Use a flashlight to look deep into the paper path. Small torn pieces of paper are easy to miss.
Gently remove any paper or debris from the paper path. Always pull paper in the direction it normally travels — forward and out.

Pulling paper backward can tear it and leave fragments inside. Any small fragment left behind can re-trigger the error.
Close the printer cover, plug it back in, and power it on. Send a test print to see if the error has cleared.

Canon printers automatically run a short self-test on startup. If no error code appears, the jam was the cause.
If the error persists with no jam visible, try a factory reset. Hold the Stop/Reset button for 10 seconds on most Canon PIXMA models.

The exact reset method varies by model. Check your printer's manual or the Canon support website for your specific model.
If the motor makes a grinding or clicking noise but the error remains, the motor mechanism may need professional service.

A grinding sound usually means the gear train connected to the motor is stripped or jammed with debris.

When to Call a Professional

If no jam or obstruction is found and the error continues after a reset, the paper feed motor may have failed. Motor replacement requires disassembling the printer and is best done by a Canon service technician. For lower-cost PIXMA printers, replacement may be more economical than repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a paper transport motor?

The paper transport motor is the motor that drives the rollers inside your printer. These rollers grip the paper and pull it through the machine while it is being printed on. When this motor fails, the printer cannot move paper and will refuse to print.

Can I fix error E60 myself?

If it is caused by a paper jam, yes — clearing the jam yourself is straightforward. If the motor itself has failed, a DIY repair is difficult and requires tools and technical skill. For most home users, a professional repair or printer replacement is the practical option when the motor has failed.

How do I prevent paper jams that cause E60?

Always use paper that meets the printer's specifications — correct weight, undamaged, and not too damp. Do not overfill the paper tray beyond the maximum fill line. Fan the stack of paper before loading it to prevent pages from sticking together.