i keep getting a 'paper jam' error but there is absolutely no paper stuck anywhere.

Diagnosis

The Canon PIXMA TS6520 is prone to "phantom" paper jams where the printer reports a jam (Error Code 1300 or 1000) despite the paper path appearing clear. This happens because the printer relies on physical "sensor flags"—tiny, spring-loaded plastic levers—to detect the movement of paper. If a flag becomes stuck in the "down" position due to a microscopic tear of paper, a buildup of dust, or a lubricant leak, the printer assumes paper is still present in the path and halts all operations for safety.

In most cases, the culprit is a tiny scrap of paper (sometimes as small as a confetti piece) lodged beneath the rear duplexing unit or the print head carriage path. Another common cause is the "encoder strip"—the clear plastic band running across the width of the printer—becoming smudged with ink or grease, which confuses the printer's positioning system and triggers a generic jam error. You can confirm this by observing if the print head moves slightly and then immediately retreats or stops with a loud thumping sound.

How to Fix It

To clear a phantom jam on the TS6520, follow this precise sequence to reset the sensors and clear the path:

1. Power off the printer and unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. This is critical to discharge the capacitors and reset the logic board.
2. Open the rear cover (the flap on the back of the machine). Use a high-lumen LED flashlight to inspect the gap between the rear tray and the internal rollers. Look specifically for small white fragments of paper caught in the rubber rollers.
3. Locate the two black plastic sensor flags (small levers) inside the rear path. Gently flick them with your fingertip; they should snap back instantly. If they feel sluggish, use a can of compressed air to blow out any debris from the hinge point.
4. Open the scanning unit/cover to access the print head carriage. Gently slide the carriage from left to right. If it hits a hard stop before reaching the end, check for a jammed piece of paper or a foreign object (like a paperclip) in the far right "parking" area.
5. Locate the Encoder Strip—the thin, transparent plastic strip running horizontally behind the print head. Using a dry, lint-free microfiber cloth, gently wipe the strip from one end to the other. Do not use alcohol or cleaning fluids, as this can erase the timing marks on the strip.
6. Close all covers, plug the printer back in, and power it on. If the error persists, hold the Stop button for 5 seconds to clear the internal error cache.

If That Didn't Work

• Hard Reset the Logic Board: While the printer is ON, pull the power cord directly from the back of the machine. Wait exactly 60 seconds. Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds while unplugged to drain residual electricity. Plug it back in and restart. This often clears "ghost" errors stored in the volatile memory.
• Clean the Feed Rollers: Use a damp, lint-free cloth to clean the rubber pickup rollers in the rear tray. If the rollers are slick or dusty, they may slip, causing the printer to think there is a jam because the paper isn't moving at the expected speed.
• Check for "Paper-Like" Debris: Inspect the output tray area for any small pieces of tape or labels that may have peeled off the paper and stuck to the internal rollers. Even a small piece of adhesive can hold a sensor flag in the "active" position.
• Update Firmware: Access the printer's OLED menu, navigate to Setup > Device Settings > Firmware Update. Canon occasionally releases patches that adjust the sensitivity of the paper sensors to reduce false positives.

Heads Up

• Avoid Force: Never pull paper out of the printer with excessive force, especially from the front. Always pull in the direction of the paper path (towards the rear) to avoid bending the sensor flags.
• Paper Quality: Use high-quality, 20lb bond paper. Overly thin or damp paper is more likely to tear during duplexing, leading to the tiny fragments that cause these phantom jams.
• Dust Prevention: If the printer is in a dusty environment, use compressed air every few months to blow out the rear paper path and the carriage rail to prevent sensor malfunctions.
• Ink Leakage: If you see ink streaks on the encoder strip, replace your cartridges immediately. Leaking ink can coat the strip, causing the printer to lose track of the carriage position and trigger a jam error.