Canon Printer Error Code E30 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error E30 means a document is jammed in your Canon printer's Automatic Document Feeder (ADF). The ADF is the tray at the top of the printer that automatically pulls in pages for scanning or copying. This is an easy fix — you just need to carefully remove the stuck document.

Affected Models

Canon PIXMA MG Series
Canon PIXMA MX Series
Canon imageCLASS MF Series
Canon MAXIFY MB Series
Canon imageRUNNER Series

Common Causes

A wrinkled, folded, or torn page was placed in the ADF and got caught in the feed rollers
Multiple pages stuck together were loaded at once and jammed at the entry point
The document loaded in the ADF was too thick, too thin, or outside the supported paper size range
The ADF rollers are worn and failed to feed the page evenly, causing it to skew and jam
A small torn piece from a previous jam is still lodged in the ADF paper path

How to Fix It

Open the ADF cover by lifting the document feeder tray or pressing the ADF release latch on your model.

On most Canon PIXMA and imageCLASS models, the ADF cover lifts upward to expose the paper path.
Gently remove the jammed document. Hold it with both hands and pull it slowly in the direction it was feeding.

Never yank the paper — tearing it inside the ADF will create small scraps that are harder to remove.
Check the ADF paper path carefully for any torn pieces, staples, or paper clips that may have come off the document.

Even a tiny scrap of paper left in the ADF will cause the E30 error to come back on the next scan.
Close the ADF cover firmly. Fan the remaining pages of your document to separate them before reloading.

Load documents into the ADF tray in a neat, even stack — do not bend or fold the leading edge.
Press the Stop/Reset button to clear the E30 error, then try scanning or copying again.

If the error persists, try scanning from the glass flatbed instead of the ADF to complete your job.

When to Call a Professional

ADF jams are almost always a self-service fix. If jams happen repeatedly even with clean, flat documents, the ADF pickup roller may be worn. ADF roller kits typically cost $20 to $50 and can often be installed at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of documents should I never put in the ADF?

Never feed stapled or paper-clipped documents through the ADF — remove all fasteners first. Avoid carbon paper, photo paper, very thin paper, or documents with sticky notes attached. These can all cause jams or damage the ADF rollers.

Can I use the scanner glass instead of the ADF?

Yes. Lifting the scanner lid and placing documents face-down on the glass always works. The flatbed glass has no moving parts and cannot jam. Use it for single pages, photos, or any document that the ADF struggles with.

Why does my Canon keep jamming in the ADF with the same documents?

Repeated ADF jams with normal paper usually mean the pickup roller is worn. The roller develops a smooth spot that can no longer grip the paper properly. A replacement ADF roller kit costs about $20 to $50 and is available from Canon or third-party suppliers.