Canon MG3600 Does Not Feed Paper: Error 1003 and the “No Paper” Message

Last Updated on 22.07.2026 by DriverNew

Canon PIXMA MG3600 series may display error 1003 or the “No Paper” message even though sheets are already loaded in the front tray. The rollers rotate, but the paper remains in place or is picked up only after several attempts.

If the paper is loaded correctly but the multifunction printer still does not pick it up, the most useful action is to perform the built-in feed roller cleaning procedure. This procedure can be started from the multifunction printer’s operation panel or through the Windows driver.

If the device picks up several sheets at once, enable the separate paper double-feed prevention function.

This guide applies to the following models:

Canon PIXMA MG3610, MG3620, MG3640, MG3640S, MG3650, MG3650S, MG3660, MG3670, and MG3680.

All the devices listed above belong to the Canon PIXMA MG3600 series family.

What error 1003 means

Support code 1003 means that there is no paper in the front tray or the multifunction printer could not pick up the loaded sheet.

When this error occurs, the Alarm lamp usually flashes twice.

After loading paper, you can press the Black or Color button on the multifunction printer to continue printing. If the error appears again, clean the rollers.

Method 1. Clean the feed rollers from the multifunction printer’s operation panel

This is the main method for resolving the problem. It is especially useful if:

• the rollers rotate but do not pick up the sheet;
• the paper feeds only after several attempts;
• error 1003 appears when the paper is loaded correctly;
• plain paper sometimes feeds, but photo paper slips;
• the problem has gradually started occurring more often.

You will need one new sheet of A4 or Letter plain paper for the procedure. You can also use a special roller cleaning sheet.

Stage 1. Clean the rollers without paper

1. Make sure that the multifunction printer is turned on.
2. Remove all paper from the front tray.
3. Open the paper output tray.
4. Press and hold the Stop button.
5. Watch the Alarm lamp.
6. Release the Stop button when the Alarm lamp flashes seven times.
7. Wait until the rollers stop rotating.

There must be no paper in the front tray during the first stage. The rollers are cleaned while rotating without a sheet.

Stage 2. Complete the cleaning with one sheet

1. Make sure that the rollers have stopped completely.
2. Close the paper output tray.
3. Take one new sheet of A4 or Letter plain paper.
4. Load the sheet into the front tray with the print side facing down.
5. Push the sheet all the way to the back of the tray.
6. Adjust the paper guides to the width of the paper.
7. Open the paper output tray extension.
8. Open the paper output tray.
9. Extend the paper output support.
10. Press and hold the Stop button again.
11. Release the button after the Alarm lamp flashes seven times.
12. Wait for the sheet to pass through and come out.

The cleaning procedure is complete after the sheet comes out.

Check the result

1. Load several new sheets of plain paper.
2. Align the edges of the stack.
3. Adjust the paper guides to the width of the paper.
4. Try making a copy or printing a test page.

If the paper begins feeding normally, no additional cleaning is required.

Method 2. Clean the feed rollers through the Windows driver

The same procedure can be started from the computer. The official Canon MG3600 series MP Drivers package must be installed.

Step 1. Open the driver settings

1. Turn on the multifunction printer.
2. Remove all paper from the front tray.
3. Press Windows + R.
4. Enter the following command:

control printers

5. Click OK.
6. Find Canon MG3600 series.
7. Right-click the device.
8. Select Printing preferences.
9. Open the Maintenance tab.
10. Click Roller Cleaning.

Step 2. Start cleaning without paper

1. Make sure that the front tray is empty.
2. Confirm that you want to start cleaning.
3. Wait until the rollers stop rotating.

Step 3. Complete the cleaning with a sheet

1. When the program displays a message, load one new sheet of A4 or Letter plain paper.
2. Push the sheet all the way to the back of the front tray.
3. Adjust the paper guides to the width of the sheet.
4. Open the paper output tray.
5. Confirm that you want to continue the procedure.
6. Wait for the sheet to come out.
7. Close the driver window.

Afterward, load several sheets and check the paper feed.

If the “Maintenance” tab is missing

Windows may have added the multifunction printer using a generic driver that does not include Canon functions.

Check the following:

• whether the correct Canon MG3600 series queue is selected;
• whether an automatically added copy of the device is being used;
• whether the official MG3600 series MP Drivers package is installed.

Even without the Maintenance tab, you can clean the rollers from the multifunction printer’s operation panel using the first method.

Method 3. Enable paper double-feed prevention

This function is not intended for the standard 1003 error. It is used when the multifunction printer picks up two or more sheets of plain paper at the same time.

The function changes the operation of the feeding mechanism and helps separate the sheets more effectively.

Enable the function from the multifunction printer’s operation panel

1. Make sure that the multifunction printer is turned on.
2. Press and hold the Stop button.
3. Watch the Alarm lamp.
4. Release the Stop button when the lamp flashes 12 times.
5. Press the Color button.

The paper double-feed prevention function will be enabled.

Disable the function from the multifunction printer’s operation panel

1. Press and hold the Stop button.
2. Release the button after the Alarm lamp flashes 12 times.
3. Press the Black button.

Enable the function through the Windows driver

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Enter:

control printers

3. Click OK.
4. Right-click Canon MG3600 series.
5. Select Printing preferences.
6. Open the Maintenance tab.
7. Click Custom Settings.
8. Select the paper double-feed prevention checkbox.
9. Click OK.
10. Confirm the settings change.

The setting name may differ slightly depending on the driver version and selected interface language.

Quickly check how the paper is loaded

Before cleaning, make sure that the paper is loaded correctly:

• the paper is in the front tray;
• the print side is facing down;
• the sheets are loaded with the short edge first;
• the stack is pushed all the way to the back of the tray;
• the guides touch the edges but do not squeeze the paper;
• the paper output tray is open;
• the stack does not exceed the maximum loading limit.

If the tray was almost completely full, reduce the amount of paper and check again.

Quickly check the condition of the paper

For testing, use one new sheet of A4 or Letter plain paper.

Do not use:

• damp sheets;
• wrinkled paper;
• heavily curled paper;
• glued or stuck-together sheets;
• paper with staples or exposed adhesive;
• an irregularly shaped sheet;
• plain paper that is too thin or too thick.

If one new sheet feeds but a large stack does not, reduce the amount of paper and separate any sheets that are stuck together.

If photo paper does not feed

Glossy paper slips more easily on dirty rollers and may stick together.

1. Remove the stack of photo paper.
2. Take one new sheet.
3. Make sure that it is not curled.
4. Load it with the print side facing down.
5. Select the correct media type in the printing settings.
6. Check the paper feed.

If plain paper feeds but several sheets of photo paper do not, load the photo paper one sheet at a time.

If envelopes do not feed

Envelopes may not be picked up if they are deformed or loaded incorrectly.

Quickly check the following:

• the envelopes are flat and not inflated;
• the edges and flaps are not bent;
• the envelopes are loaded vertically;
• the address side is facing down;
• the guides are not squeezing the envelopes;
• the correct size is selected in the driver.

Do not clean the rollers manually with chemicals

Do not apply the following inside the multifunction printer:

• alcohol;
• water;
• glass cleaner;
• solvent;
• oil;
• lubricant;
• rubber restoration products.

Do not try to rotate the rollers with your fingers, and do not insert wipes, screwdrivers, or other objects into the front tray. Use the built-in cleaning procedure.

How to check the paper feed without a computer

Testing copying allows you to rule out the driver, print queue, and Windows settings.

1. Turn on the multifunction printer.
2. Load one new sheet of plain paper.
3. Place a document on the platen glass with the side to be copied facing down.
4. Close the cover.
5. Press the Black or Color button.

If the paper does not feed during copying either

The problem is related to the paper, rollers, or feeding mechanism. Clean the rollers.

If copying works

The feeding mechanism is working. Check the selected printer, print queue, paper size, and document settings.

What to do if cleaning did not help

1. Make sure that the full cleaning cycle was completed: first without paper, and then with one sheet.
2. Check the feeding of one new sheet of plain paper.
3. Make sure that the sheet is pushed all the way to the back of the front tray.
4. Check that the guides are not squeezing the paper.
5. Turn off the multifunction printer for approximately 10 seconds.
6. Turn the device back on.
7. Repeat the copying test.

Do not perform many cleaning cycles in succession. If one full cycle did not help and the paper loading has been checked, the rollers may be worn or the feeding mechanism may require repair.

When a service center is required

Request diagnostics if:

• one new sheet does not feed after roller cleaning;
• the rollers rotate but continuously slip;
• the rollers do not begin to rotate;
• the paper feeds only when pushed by hand;
• the sheet always enters at an angle;
• cracking, clicking, or grinding sounds are heard;
• the multifunction printer wrinkles new, flat sheets;
• the problem quickly returns after cleaning;
• damaged parts of the feeding mechanism are visible.

Frequently asked questions

What does error 1003 mean?

There is no paper in the front tray, or the multifunction printer could not pick up the loaded sheet.

How do I continue printing after loading paper?

Load the paper correctly, and then press the Black or Color button.

How many times should the lamp flash during roller cleaning?

Hold down the Stop button and release it after the Alarm lamp flashes seven times.

Should paper be loaded during the first stage of cleaning?

No. The first stage is performed with an empty front tray. After the rollers stop, one sheet is loaded and the second stage is started.

Can cleaning be started from the computer?

Yes. Open Printing preferences, go to the Maintenance tab, and select Roller Cleaning.

What should I do if the “Maintenance” tab is missing?

Clean the rollers from the multifunction printer’s operation panel. Also check whether the official Canon MG3600 series MP Drivers package is installed.

When should paper double-feed prevention be enabled?

Only when the multifunction printer picks up several sheets of plain paper at the same time.

How do I enable paper double-feed prevention from the operation panel?

Hold down the Stop button until the Alarm lamp flashes 12 times, release it, and press the Color button.

How do I disable this function?

Hold down the Stop button until the lamp flashes 12 times, release it, and press the Black button.

Why did printing become slower after enabling the function?

This is normal behavior. The function changes the feeding process to separate the sheets more effectively.

Can the rollers be cleaned several times in succession?

This is not recommended. Cleaning gradually wears the rollers. First, perform one complete cycle and check the result.

Do I need to reinstall the driver when error 1003 occurs?

Usually not. If paper also does not feed when copying without a computer, the cause is not related to the driver.

Why does one sheet feed while a stack does not?

The stack may be too large, the sheets may be stuck together, or the guides may be pressing the paper too tightly.

Why is photo paper not picked up after cleaning?

The sheets may be curled, stuck together, or have an unsupported weight. Test one new sheet of a suitable type.

Conclusion

If Canon PIXMA MG3600 series displays error 1003 when paper is loaded, first clean the feed rollers from the multifunction printer’s operation panel.

Remove the paper, hold down the Stop button until the Alarm lamp flashes seven times, and wait until the rollers stop. Then load one A4 or Letter sheet and start the cleaning procedure again after seven flashes.

Cleaning can also be performed from the Maintenance tab in the Windows driver.

If the multifunction printer picks up several sheets at the same time, enable paper double-feed prevention: hold down the Stop button until the lamp flashes 12 times, and then press Color.

If one new sheet does not feed even after a full cleaning cycle, the rollers may be worn or the feeding mechanism may require diagnostics.