can i use generic cleaning sheets for my canon mg3620 paper feed roller?

Diagnosis

The Canon PIXMA MG3620 utilizes a friction-based paper feed system where rubber rollers grip the top sheet of paper to pull it into the print engine. Over time, these rollers accumulate a mixture of paper dust, adhesive residue from labels, and airborne debris. This creates a "slick" surface on the rubber, leading to multi-sheet feeds (pulling several pages at once) or, more commonly, "Paper Feed Error" messages where the rollers spin without grabbing the paper. When you use a cleaning sheet, you are applying a mild abrasive or a cleaning agent to break down this buildup. Generic cleaning sheets are generally safe as long as they are designed for inkjet printers and do not contain corrosive chemicals. If you notice the printer struggling to pick up standard 20lb bond paper but manages to grab thicker cardstock, it is a definitive sign that the feed rollers have glazed over and require a deep clean to restore the necessary coefficient of friction.

How to Fix It

To properly clean the feed rollers using either a commercial cleaning sheet or a heavy-weight piece of plain paper, follow this precise sequence to trigger the printer's internal cleaning cycle:

1. Power on the printer and ensure it is in a ready state. Open the paper output tray and remove all remaining sheets from the rear paper support tray to ensure no jams occur during the process.
2. If using a commercial cleaning sheet, load a single sheet into the rear tray. If using plain paper, use a high-quality, thick A4 or Letter-sized sheet; the extra thickness helps scrub the rollers more effectively.
3. Locate the Stop button (the red circle with a triangle). Press and hold this button firmly.
4. Watch the Alarm lamp (the orange triangle icon). You must count exactly seven (7) flashes of the Alarm lamp. Once the seventh flash occurs, release the Stop button immediately.
5. The printer will initiate a "bottom roller cleaning" cycle. You will hear the rollers spinning rapidly for several seconds without the print head moving. This action scrubs the rollers against the cleaning sheet.
6. Once the rollers stop spinning and the noise ceases, remove the cleaning sheet from the tray.
7. Close the output tray and reload your standard printing paper. Perform a nozzle check or a test print to confirm the feed issue is resolved.

If That Didn't Work

• Manual Isopropyl Alcohol Scrub: If the automated cycle fails, power off the printer and unplug it. Use a lint-free swab dipped in 70% to 90% Isopropyl Alcohol. Gently wipe the rubber rollers visible in the rear feed slot. Rotate the rollers manually if possible to clean the entire circumference. Allow them to dry completely for 5 minutes before powering back on.
• Compressed Air Blast: Often, "dust bunnies" lodge themselves in the feed gap. Use a can of compressed air with a straw attachment to blow out the rear paper tray area and the internal feed path. Aim the air directly at the rubber rollers to dislodge loose debris that the cleaning sheet might have simply pushed further into the mechanism.
• Rubber Restoration: If the rollers have become hard or "petrified" due to age, a tiny amount of rubber rejuvenator or a damp microfiber cloth can sometimes restore the grip. Avoid using oil-based lubricants or WD-40, as these will permanently destroy the roller's ability to grip paper.
• Paper Weight Adjustment: If the printer continues to slip, try switching from standard 20lb paper to a 24lb or 28lb premium multipurpose paper. The increased stiffness of the heavier paper often allows the worn rollers to maintain a better grip.

Heads Up

• Avoid Over-Saturating: If using a wet cleaning cloth or alcohol, never drip liquid into the printer. Excess moisture can seep into the optical sensors, causing permanent "Paper Jam" errors even when no paper is present.
• Frequency of Cleaning: Perform the "7-flash" cleaning cycle once every three months if the printer is in a dusty environment to prevent the buildup from becoming permanent.
• Paper Quality: Avoid using extremely cheap, high-dust recycled paper, as this accelerates the glazing of the rubber rollers and increases the frequency of feed failures.
• Avoid Forced Pulls: If a jam occurs, never pull the paper out forcefully from the front. Always pull from the rear tray or open the chassis to avoid tearing the paper or dislodging the feed roller springs.