Diagnosis
The Canon PIXMA TS4320 utilizes a top-loading rear tray system that relies on a set of rubberized friction rollers to pull individual sheets into the print carriage path. When this printer fails to feed or jams frequently, it is almost always due to "roller glazing." Over time, microscopic paper dust and ink residue build up on the rubber surface, creating a slick film that eliminates the friction necessary to grip the paper. This results in the printer attempting to pull a sheet, failing, and then triggering a "Paper Jam" or "Out of Paper" error even when the tray is full. Another common culprit for this specific model is "tray splay," where the plastic paper guides are either too tight, causing the paper to bow and snag, or too loose, allowing the sheet to enter the feed mechanism at a slight angle. This misalignment causes the edge of the paper to hit the internal chassis, leading to a skewed feed or a physical jam halfway through the first pass. You can confirm a roller issue if you hear the motor spinning (a rhythmic whirring sound) but the paper remains stationary in the tray.
How to Fix It
To resolve feeding issues, you must perform a deep clean of the pick-up rollers and recalibrate the paper loading sequence.
- Power on the printer and open the rear paper support. Remove all remaining sheets of paper from the rear tray to ensure no debris is trapped underneath.
- Access the maintenance menu on the LCD screen. Press the Setup button (pliers/screwdriver icon), navigate to "Maintenance," and select "Roller Cleaning."
- When prompted, ensure the rear tray is empty and press the OK button. The printer will run a series of rotations without paper to clear loose dust.
- For a deeper manual clean, dampen a lint-free microfiber cloth with a small amount of distilled water or 70% isopropyl alcohol. Do not saturate the cloth.
- Reach into the rear tray and locate the grey rubber roller. While gently rotating the roller manually with your finger, wipe the rubber surface thoroughly to remove the glazed buildup.
- Allow the roller to dry for 60 seconds.
- Reload a small stack of 20 sheets of standard 20lb bond paper. Slide the paper guides firmly against the edges of the stack—they should touch the paper but not pinch or bend it.
- Press the OK button to resume printing and test with a single-page print job.
If That Didn't Work
- Inspect the Rear Tray for Foreign Objects: The TS4320 has a narrow feed throat. Use a bright flashlight to look deep into the rear tray. Even a small object like a paperclip, staple, or a scrap of torn paper from a previous jam can block the path. Use a pair of long-nose pliers or a vacuum with a narrow nozzle to clear any obstructions.
- Check Paper Weight and Type: If you are using heavy cardstock or photo paper exceeding 200gsm, the standard feed settings may fail. Ensure you have changed the "Media Type" in the print driver settings on your PC or Mac to match the actual paper. Using "Plain Paper" settings for thick photo paper often leads to jams because the rollers move at the wrong speed.
- Reset the Paper Feed Sensor: Sometimes the optical sensor that detects paper entry becomes clouded. Use a can of compressed air to blow a series of short bursts into the feed slot and around the roller area to clear any hidden dust clumps that might be triggering a false jam signal.
- Perform a Hard Power Cycle: Unplug the power cord from the back of the printer while it is still turned on. Wait exactly 60 seconds to allow the capacitors to discharge. Plug it back in and restart. This clears the internal print queue and resets the mechanical home position of the feed assembly.
Heads Up
- Avoid using "cheap" or recycled paper with high amounts of lint; these accelerate roller glazing and will require more frequent cleaning.
- Never use oil-based lubricants or WD-40 on the rollers, as this will permanently destroy the rubber grip and ruin your printouts.
- Always fan your paper stack before loading it to break the static cling between sheets, which prevents "multi-sheet feeding" jams.
- If you are printing duplex (double-sided), ensure the paper is not curled; curled edges are the leading cause of jams during the second pass of the duplexing cycle.