Canon Support Code 5700 — paper feed sensor error (PIXMA/Maxify/G-series)
Joe B.
Reviewed for technical accuracy
Specialities: Canon PIXMA / Maxify / G-series, paper feed sensor errors, ASF cam sensor, support codes 5700/6000, paper jam diagnostics
Canon Support Code 5700 paper feed sensor error — ASF cam sensor, “paper jam” with no paper, tray and roller fixes
Technician
Before we start, a few quick checks:
• What exact Canon model do you have (PIXMA MG/TS, Maxify, G-series/MegaTank, iP/iX)?
• On the printer screen, does it say just “Support Code 5700” or also “Paper jam” / “Paper output slot is jammed”?
• When you turn it on and it tries to print, do you hear grinding or clicking from the paper feed area, or does it simply say “No paper” even when the tray is full?
• Has there been a recent paper jam, thick/card stock, labels, or a child putting anything in the rear tray?
Technician
In plain English, the printer expects to see the paper feed mechanism move and the sensor flag change state. If a bit of paper, a label, or bent plastic stops the cam from rotating, the printer thinks the paper feed sensor is bad and throws 5700. Sometimes the sensor is fine and it’s just:
• a tiny scrap stuck near the paper output slot,
• worn or dirty pickup rollers,
• or a misaligned ASF cam after a hard paper jam.
Plan: 1) Power cycle and clear any hidden jam. 2) Inspect the paper path and feed rollers front and rear. 3) Check the small plastic sensor flag near the output path. 4) Run a roller cleaning test. 5) If error 5700 persists, we’ll decide if it’s serviceable at home or needs an ASF/feed unit.
Technician
1) With the printer on, press the power button to turn it off.
2) Unplug the power cord for at least 5–10 minutes so the support code 5700 clears from memory.
3) While it’s unplugged, remove all paper from the rear/front tray and extend the output tray.
Step 2 — Check the paper feed path front and rear
4) Open the front cover and any rear cover the model has. Use a small flashlight.
5) Look for very small scraps of paper, torn corners, labels, or tape around where the paper first feeds and where it exits. With 5700, even a thin strip near the paper feed roller or output slot can block the sensor.
6) Gently rotate any exposed rubber rollers toward you with your fingers (printer unplugged) and see if anything is wrapped around them.
7) If you see a small black or white plastic “flag” that moves when you touch it, that’s part of the paper feed sensor. It should move freely and spring back — if it feels jammed or stuck in one position, the printer may keep throwing Code 5700.
Technician
Quick visual test of the paper feed
• Leave covers open where you can still see the pickup rollers and that little sensor flag.
• Plug the printer back in and turn it on with no paper loaded yet. When it initializes, watch whether the feed rollers try to spin and whether the flag moves at all.
• If the rollers try to turn but stall and you hear grinding, the feed gears or ASF cam may be slipping on a jam or broken tooth.
If the flag seems stuck:
• Very gently nudge it back and forth to see if it can move freely and spring back.
• Don’t force it or remove covers beyond what Canon’s user manual shows — deeper disassembly is “service manual” territory and can worsen the 5700 paper feed sensor error if done wrong.
If you want, I can help you watch a short sequence via live chat and tell you if the motion looks like a simple jam/obstruction or a failing paper feed unit.
Technician
Step 3 — Clean the paper feed rollers
1) With the printer powered on and 5700 cleared temporarily, open the menu on the control panel or in the driver and find Maintenance → Roller Cleaning or Paper feed cleaning.
2) When prompted, remove all paper and run the cleaning cycle once or twice. This makes the printer rotate the ASF rollers and can clear light dust or glaze that causes “paper does not feed properly” errors that evolve into Support Code 5700.
3) Load 3–5 sheets of normal, non-curled office paper — no photo paper, envelopes, or thick stock while testing.
4) Make sure paper guides hug the stack but are not crushing it, and the stack does not exceed the indicated paper load limit.
If the printer still refuses to pull paper in and jumps straight to 5700, we’re likely dealing with a mechanical fault (worn sheet feeder, damaged cam, or faulty paper sensor) rather than a simple jam.
Technician
• Turn the printer off, unplug it, then power it back on.
• If 5700 returns, Canon recommends contacting a service center, because the printer detected a persistent paper feed / sensor error, not just a one-off jam.
There isn’t a user-facing “clear 5700” option in the menu — and while there is a hidden service mode, simply forcing a reset without fixing the underlying paper feed sensor or ASF cam won’t help. The code will come back the moment the printer tries to feed paper and sees the same bad sensor reading.
What we’re doing here is everything that’s usually safe at home:
• Clear the paper path and output slot,
• Check that the sensor flag moves freely,
• Clean the paper feed rollers,
• Try a controlled test with fresh paper.
If 5700 still appears after that, you’re likely in the “sheet feeder/ASF unit replacement” zone.
Technician
Typical pattern I see:
• For older budget PIXMA models, replacing the ASF/sheet feeder plus labor can be close to or more than a new printer.
• For newer G-series/MegaTank units, a repair can sometimes make sense because ink running costs are low and the device is designed to last longer.
If you tell me the exact model and approximate age, I can help you compare:
• rough service cost for a paper feed sensor / ASF repair in your region,
• versus cost of a similar or upgraded Canon printer.
In the meantime, it’s still worth finishing the roller cleaning and paper path check. Quite a few “5700 paper feed sensor errors” end up being a scrap of paper or label glue you can fix at home in a few minutes.
Technician
Step 4 — Test prints after clearing Support Code 5700
• First, power the printer off and on again. Confirm that Support Code 5700 does not show immediately at startup.
• Print a simple nozzle check or test page from the maintenance menu. Watch that the paper feeds smoothly on the first try, no slipping or grinding.
• Then print a normal document and, if you normally use it, one photo on plain paper. If both jobs complete without 5700 returning, the paper feed sensor is reading correctly again.
Step 5 — Prevent the 5700 paper feed error coming back
• Don’t overfill the tray — stay under the marked limit.
• Avoid wrinkled or heavily curled paper; fan the stack before loading.
• Keep labels and small scraps away from the feed area so they don’t peel off inside the printer.
• Run roller cleaning occasionally if you print in dusty or humid environments.
If the error 5700 comes back intermittently or only with certain media, open the chat and I’ll help you narrow it down to paper type vs hardware so you’re not guessing.
Technician
Quick answer: the accepted fix for Support Code 5700
Accepted fix when a Canon printer shows Support Code 5700: power the printer off and unplug it, remove all paper, and carefully clear any scraps or labels around the paper feed path and output slot. Check that the paper feed sensor flag and pickup rollers move freely, then run a roller cleaning and test with a small stack of plain paper. If the 5700 paper feed sensor error returns, the sheet feeder/ASF assembly may need professional service.
What Canon Support Code 5700 means (paper feed sensor / ASF cam error)
Support Code 5700 is a generic Canon “printer error” that often maps to an ASF sensor error or ASF cam sensor error in the service manual. In practice, the printer expects the paper feed cam and sensor flag to move when it tries to pull sheets from the tray. If the cam stalls, the sheet feeder gears slip, or the sensor never changes state, the firmware raises error 5700 and blocks printing.
Common causes include a hidden paper jam in the rear path, debris near the paper output slot, worn or dusty paper feed rollers, or a bent sensor flag after a severe jam. That’s why many users see “paper jam, but no paper jam” just before the permanent 5700 code appears. By inspecting the paper path, cleaning rollers, and checking the paper feed sensor, you can often resolve the error without replacing the printer.
How to verify the Canon 5700 paper feed error is really fixed
Once you’ve cleared the obvious jam and cleaned the rollers, you want to confirm the Canon 5700 error won’t come back. Start with a maintenance roller cleaning or feed test, then print a simple text page and a page with graphics. Watch that the printer grabs the paper on the first try, pulls it straight, and ejects it cleanly. Any slipping, repeated retries, or grinding noises mean the sheet feeder may still be struggling and can trigger Support Code 5700 again.
If multiple test prints on normal, non-curled paper succeed without Support Code 5700 reappearing, you’ve likely cleared the obstruction and the paper feed sensor is reporting correctly. If the error only returns with thick paper, envelopes, or photo stock, you may be hitting the mechanical limits of the feed path, and an expert can help you choose safer media settings so you avoid triggering the paper feed sensor error again.
Canon 5700 error — quick troubleshooting tips
Most Support Code 5700 cases turn out to be a small obstruction or wear in the paper feed assembly, not a full logic board failure.
Quick path: power off and unplug the printer → remove all paper and check the paper path front and rear → look for scraps near the paper feed rollers and output slot → gently test the paper feed sensor flag for free movement → run a roller cleaning and test prints. If Support Code 5700 returns immediately or the rollers don’t move, you’re likely in ASF/sheet feeder territory, and an expert can help you decide if repair or replacement makes more sense for your specific Canon model.
Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your environment or Canon model, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before making decisions.
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FAQ
What is Canon Support Code 5700?
Support Code 5700 is a Canon printer error that usually points to the paper feed assembly. In many service manuals it’s logged as an ASF sensor error or ASF cam sensor error, meaning the printer didn’t detect the expected movement of the paper feed cam or sensor flag.
Can I fix Support Code 5700 myself?
In many cases, yes. You can safely try: powering the printer off and unplugging it, clearing any paper jams, checking the paper feed path front and rear, cleaning the feed rollers, and running a roller cleaning test. If 5700 comes back immediately or the rollers don’t move, the sheet feeder/ASF unit may need professional repair.
Is Support Code 5700 just a paper jam?
Not exactly. A simple jam can cause error 5700, but the code really indicates a paper feed sensor problem — for example, the ASF cam can’t rotate, gears are damaged, or the sensor flag is stuck. Clearing the jam and ensuring the paper feed sensor can move often resolves it without parts replacement.
When should I contact a Canon service center for 5700?
If you’ve cleared the paper path, checked the sensor flag, cleaned the paper feed rollers, and run maintenance tests but Support Code 5700 still appears, it’s time to speak with a service center. Persistent 5700 usually means a failing ASF/sheet feeder, sensor board, or related gears that require parts and disassembly.
Sources
- Canon Inkjet Manuals — G600 series Support Code 5700 (printer error guidance)
- Canon Support — G6020 Support Code 5700 is displayed (official troubleshooting steps)
- iFixit Answers — How to fix service error 5700 (sheet feeder / ASF cam sensor explanation)
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