Canon PIXMA TR8620A Manual Clear Paper Jam

The Canon PIXMA TR8620A is an All-in-One printer designed for home and small office use, featuring printing, scanning, copying, and fax capabilities. Paper jams are a common issue that can interrupt workflow. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to safely clear paper jams from various parts of the printer, including the rear tray, front output slot, and duplex unit. Below are key sections for safety, identification, step-by-step clearance procedures, prevention tips, and troubleshooting.

1. Safety Precautions 2. Identifying the Jam Location 3. Clearing Rear Tray Jams 4. Clearing Front Output Slot Jams 5. Clearing Duplex Unit Jams 6. Clearing the Scanner Unit Area 7. Resetting the Printer After Clearance 8. Preventing Future Paper Jams 9. Common Error Messages 10. When to Contact Support

Safety Precautions

Before attempting to clear a paper jam, ensure your safety and prevent damage to the printer.

Step	Precaution
Power Off	Turn off the printer using the power button and unplug it from the electrical outlet.
Cool Down	Allow the printer to cool for at least 10 minutes if it was recently in use.
Gentle Handling	Pull jammed paper slowly and steadily. Do not tear the paper forcefully.
Avoid Sharp Objects	Do not use tools like tweezers or knives that could damage internal rollers.
Check for Fragments	Ensure all paper fragments are removed to prevent future jams.

Identifying the Jam Location

The printer's control panel display or error light will often indicate a jam. Visually inspect common areas.

Rear Tray (Paper Feed Area): Paper fails to feed into the printer.
Front Output Slot: Paper is stuck while exiting.
Duplex Unit (Inside Rear): Paper is stuck during two-sided printing.
Scanner Unit (Under Top Cover): Paper may be lodged near the scanner mechanism.

WARNING! Never force any covers open. Follow the specific opening procedures outlined in the following sections.

Clearing Rear Tray Jams

If paper is jammed in the rear tray or feed area.

Turn off and unplug the printer.
Open the rear cover by pulling the latch gently.
Visually locate the jammed paper. You may see it caught on the feed rollers.
Firmly grasp the paper and pull it straight out in the direction of paper path. Avoid pulling upward or sideways.
Close the rear cover firmly until it clicks.
Plug in and power on the printer.

CAUTION! Do not touch the green print head or other internal components. Pull paper only.

Clearing Front Output Slot Jams

If paper is stuck while exiting the front of the printer.

Turn off and unplug the printer.
Open the output paper support gently.
Look into the output slot. If paper is visible, grasp it firmly and pull it straight out towards you.
If paper is not visible from the front, you may need to also open the rear cover to gently guide it from the other side.
Ensure the output path is clear of any torn pieces.
Close all covers and restart the printer.

Tip: If the paper tears, ensure you retrieve all fragments from both the front and rear access points.

Clearing Duplex Unit Jams

For jams during automatic two-sided printing.

Location: The duplex unit is accessed from the rear of the printer.
Procedure: Power off and unplug. Open the rear cover fully. Locate the duplex unit lever or access panel (refer to your quick start guide). Open it carefully. You will see a U-shaped paper path. Gently pull any jammed paper out along this path. Close the duplex access and rear cover securely.
Check Rollers: Visually inspect the rollers inside the duplex path for debris.

Clearing the Scanner Unit Area

In rare cases, paper can jam under the scanner (top) unit.

Ensure the printer is off and unplugged.
Open the document cover (scanner lid).
Look along the sides and back of the flatbed scanner glass for any obstructions.
If a jam is visible, carefully pull it straight out. Do not press down on the scanner glass.
Close the document cover gently.

WARNING! The scanner glass is fragile. Apply no pressure and use a soft, lint-free cloth if needed to remove small fragments.

Resetting the Printer After Clearance

After clearing the jam, reset the printer to clear the error state.

Ensure all covers are completely closed.
Plug the power cord back into the outlet.
Press and hold the power button to turn on the printer.
The printer will initialize. Wait for the power light to stop flashing and become steady.
Print a test page via the printer software or control panel to confirm normal operation.

Note: If the error light remains on, a paper fragment may still be inside. Repeat inspection.

Preventing Future Paper Jams

Proper maintenance and paper handling can minimize jams.

Prevention Step	Description
Use Supported Paper	Use Canon recommended paper types and weights. Avoid wrinkled, curled, or torn paper.
Load Paper Correctly	Fan the paper stack before loading. Align the guides snugly against the paper edges in the tray.
Do Not Overfill	Do not exceed the maximum sheet limit marked on the paper tray.
Store Paper Properly	Keep paper in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture absorption.
Regular Cleaning	Periodically clean the paper feed rollers with a dry, lint-free cloth.

Common Error Messages

Understanding display messages related to paper jams.

Symptom / Message	Meaning	Action
"Paper Jam in Rear Tray"	Jam in feed area.	Follow Section 3 & 4 procedures.
"Paper Jam in Duplex Unit"	Jam during two-sided printing.	Follow Section 6 procedure.
"Paper Jam. Clear Paper." (Generic)	General jam detected.	Inspect all areas (Front, Rear, Duplex).
Error Light Flashing Orange	Indicates an error, often a jam.	Check display message and clear jam.

When to Contact Support

If problems persist after following this guide, professional service may be required.

Recurring Jams: Jams happen repeatedly in the same location after proper clearance.
Damaged Parts: You notice broken levers, cracked covers, or damaged rollers.
Error Persists: The paper jam error will not clear even though no paper is visible.
Unusual Noises: Grinding or clicking sounds come from inside the printer.

Service: Contact Canon Support at 1-800-OK-CANON or visit support.usa.canon.com. Have your printer model (TR8620A) and serial number ready.