If your Canon PIXMA TR8520 is making loud noise during operation, you're not alone. This all-in-one inkjet printer is known for occasional mechanical sounds that go beyond normal printing hums. Excessive noise typically stems from the automatic document feeder (ADF), paper feed mechanism, print head carriage, or internal rollers. In most cases, you can resolve Canon PIXMA TR8520 making loud noise issues with targeted troubleshooting before seeking professional printer repair. This guide walks you through proven steps to identify the source and fix printer problems safely.
Identifying the Source of the Noise
Before attempting any fix, pinpoint when and where the sound occurs. Is it a grinding noise during startup? A loud clicking when feeding paper? Or a high-pitched whine during printing? The TR8520's five-ink system and dual paper feeders (rear tray and front cassette) create multiple potential failure points. Accurate diagnosis saves time and prevents unnecessary disassembly.
⚠️ Important: Always power off and unplug your Canon PIXMA TR8520 before inspecting internal components. Never insert tools or fingers into moving parts while the printer is energized. Attempting DIY printer repair on electrical components while plugged in risks injury and voids your warranty.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1
Clear Paper Debris from Feed Path: Open the rear tray, front cassette, and output tray extension. Remove all paper. Shine a flashlight into the paper path and look for torn fragments, staples, or foreign objects. Gently remove debris with tweezers. The TR8520's curved paper path near the rear feed rollers commonly traps scraps, causing loud grinding noises during pickup attempts.
2
Clean the Pickup Rollers: Located in the rear tray and front cassette, these rubber rollers harden or accumulate paper dust over time. Power down, then dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water. Rotate each roller manually while wiping its surface. For stubborn residue, use isopropyl alcohol (90%+). Allow 10 minutes to dry before reloading paper and testing. This resolves many Canon PIXMA TR8520 making loud noise complaints related to repetitive clicking or squealing.
3
Inspect and Lubricate the Print Head Carriage Rail: With the printer unplugged, manually slide the print head assembly left and right. It should move smoothly with slight resistance. If you feel grittiness or hear metal-on-metal scraping, the chrome carriage rail needs attention. Apply one drop of light machine oil (sewing machine oil works) to a cotton swab, then lightly coat the rail surface. Work the carriage through its full travel ten times to distribute lubricant. Wipe excess oil to prevent ink contamination.
4
Check the ADF Mechanism: Open the ADF cover on top of the TR8520. Examine the white mylar strip and separation pad for damage or debris buildup. Remove any visible obstructions. The ADF's pickup assembly uses a torque limiter clutch that can produce loud ratcheting sounds when worn or when documents feed unevenly. Try scanning a single clean sheet—if noise persists only during ADF use, the separation pad likely needs replacement (part: FL3-1021-000).
5
Reset to Factory Defaults: Software errors can cause the print head to slam against mechanical stops. Press and hold the Stop button until the alarm lamp flashes 21 times, then release. Alternatively, navigate to Setup > Device Settings > Reset Settings > All Data on the touchscreen. After reset, run the print head alignment utility (Setup > Maintenance > Print Head Alignment). This eliminates erratic carriage movement from corrupted calibration data.
6
Replace Worn Consumable Parts: If troubleshooting doesn't resolve Canon PIXMA TR8520 making loud noise, mechanical wear is likely. Common failure points include the timing slit disk film (QM3-6874-000), purge unit gears, and carriage motor. These parts require disassembly best handled by authorized printer support technicians. Contact Canon directly or a certified repair center for part availability and installation costs.
Still Need Help With Your Canon Printer?
If these troubleshooting steps didn't resolve the issue, our certified Canon printer technicians are standing by. Get expert support in minutes.
Is it normal for the Canon PIXMA TR8520 to make some noise during startup?
Yes, brief mechanical sounds during initialization are normal. The print head carriage moves to its home position, and the purge unit cycles. However, persistent grinding, loud clicking, or squealing that continues during printing indicates a problem requiring troubleshooting or printer repair.
Can I continue using my TR8520 if it's making loud noises?
We don't recommend it. Operating a noisy printer can worsen mechanical damage. For example, a jammed foreign object can score the carriage rail or strip gears. Power down and follow the troubleshooting steps above, or contact tech support to prevent costlier repairs.
How do I know if the noise is from the ADF or the main print engine?
Test each function separately. Print from your computer using the rear tray—if noise occurs, the issue is in the main engine. Then scan using only the flatbed glass (not ADF). Finally, scan or copy using the ADF. Isolating the function narrows down whether you need to fix printer components in the document feeder or the core printing mechanism.