How to fix a paper jam in a printer
When working with any printer, it is inevitable that you will encounter a paper jam.
The following is a general guide for removing paper that has become
stuck in a number of locations. Although most modern printers are
similar in design, you may have to make slight adjustments to the
following steps, depending on the model of your printer.
Warning: You'll want to avoid
pulling stuck paper out from under the front cover if possible, as it
may cause damage to the printer. Instead, pull it from the back of the
printer or paper tray.
Note: It is important that you go through the all of following sections to avoid damage to your printer.
Locate and remove any paper stuck in the loading tray
- Remove any loose paper in the loading tray.
- Press the Resume button on the front of the printer.
Note: If the paper jam is
cleared, skip to the Ensure the printer carriage can move freely
section. Otherwise, continue with the steps below.
-
Remove stuck paper one sheet at a time, starting in the middle.
- Check for any remaining bits of paper.
Note: If the paper jam is
cleared, skip to the Ensure the printer carriage can move freely
section. Otherwise, continue on to the next section below.
Clearing the jam from rear of the printer
If you can't get to the paper jam from the loading tray,
follow the instructions to clear the paper from the rear of the printer.
Usually, the back of the printer has either a rear access door or a
two-sided printing accessory.
Removing a rear access panel
- Locate the knob or access tab on the back of the printer by or on the panel itself. If it's a knob, move it to the Unlocked position.
- Remove the panel and carefully pull out the jammed paper.
- Locate and clear away any small bits of paper that remain.
- Replace and secure the rear panel.
Remove the two-sided printing accessory to clear the paper jam
- Press both RELEASE buttons on either end of the module at the same time and remove it.
- Remove the panel and carefully pull out the jammed paper.
- Locate and clear away any small bits of paper that remain.
- Push the module back on and snap it into place.
Note: If the paper jam is
cleared, skip to the Ensure the printer carriage can move freely
section. Otherwise, continue with the steps below.
- Press the button on top of the module and open the door.
- Remove the panel and carefully pull out the jammed paper.
- Locate and clear away any small bits of paper that remain.
-
Close the rear module door.
Note: If the paper jam is
cleared, skip to the Ensure the printer carriage can move freely
section. Otherwise, continue on to the next section below.
Pulling paper out from under the front cover
If all of the previous steps have failed, you may attempt
to remove the jammed paper by pulling it out from under the front cover
CAREFULLY and SLOWLY. Remember, as stated above, this step is generally not recommended and should only be a last resort.
Tip: If you have a laser printer, you may need to remove the toner cartidge before you can get full access to the paper.
Ensure the print carriage can move freely.
- Disconnect the printer from power by unplugging the power cord from the power outlet.
-
Watch the carriage to see if it moves all the way to the right-hand side of the printer and out of sight. Do not force the carriage to move if it's stuck, as this may damage your printer.
Note: If the paper jam is cleared, skip to testing the printer.
- Carefully remove the ink cartridge(s).
- Without removing the drawer, remove any paper in the loading tray.
- Remove the two-sided printing accessory (module) or rear access door.
- With your fingers, rotate the rollers toward the top of the printer for three full rotations.
- Replace the two-sided printing accessory (module) or rear access door.
- Replace the ink cartridges.
- Plug you printer back in and turn it on.
Reloading and testing the printer
Once you've removed the jam, cleared away any remaining
bits of paper, and ensured that the print carriage can move without
issue, test your printer.
- Put some inkjet paper into the loading tray and slide it into place.
- Print a test page by performing a self-test. Usually a self-test can be initiated by pressing and holding the Resume button until your machine starts printing.
Continued problems? Possible printer hardware problems
If the printer claims there is still a paper jam after
going through the steps above, your printer may have a hardware problem
that is causing the issues. A malfunctioning roller or parts in the
paper feed mechanism can make a printer think it has a paper jam.
In the case of a hardware problem, it may be possible to
have the printer repaired. However, due to the low costs of printers
today, it is often cheaper to buy a new printer instead of having a
printer repaired.
Preventing a printer paper jam
As mentioned earlier, paper jams are an inevitability
over the life of your printer. However, if you're encountering frequent
paper jams, the following steps may help prevent them.
- If your printer has a paper tray, do not fill the tray to capacity.
Overfilling the paper tray is frequently the cause of paper jams.
- Many printers have sliding mechanisms that allow different types and
sizes of paper to be fed into the printer. If the slider is not
properly positioned, it can cause a paper jam.
- Use standard office paper. Folded, labeled, and specialty paper can
often cause jams because they have irregular dimensions. If you're
uncertain which types of paper your printer accepts, consult the printer
documentation.
- If you are printing multiple pages, do not mix the paper sizes.
- Make sure your printer paper is correctly seated into the slot or tray.
- Examine the printer for any debris before printing. Previous paper
jams, torn paper, printing labels or other foreign objects in the
printer can cause reoccurring jams.