No matter how sophisticated your printer is, a crumpled piece of paper can stop it from working. Most paper jams are purely technical problems. It can take some patience to get the paper out, but once you find the location of the paper, you know the solution. If you can't find the problem or the printer still won't work after removing the paper, check the manual or contact a professional service person.
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Method 1 of 4: Inkjet Printer (Ink Burst)
Step 1. Turn off the printer
This reduces the chance that you will damage the printer or injure yourself. Wait until the whole process of turning off the printer is complete. Disconnect the power cord from the printer for added security.
Step 2. Open the main cover
Remove all sheets of paper from the paper pick-up tray and output tray. Lift the main cover of the printer.
Step 3. Carefully slide the printer head sideways to free the paper
In inkjet printers, the print head is the component that moves across the paper, ejecting ink from the connected ink cartridge. If the print head cannot be moved to the side, it may be stuck in the paper. Carefully try to slide the printer head to the side.
Sliding the printer head forcibly can damage it permanently
Step 4. Pull out the paper slowly
To remove it, hold the paper firmly and pull it very slowly. If the paper tears, the paper can spread paper fibers which can interfere with the printing process. Pulling the paper roughly can also cause injury, because even when the printer is off, the printer can pinch or scratch your fingers.
- Use tweezers to reach narrow areas. When using the tweezers, pull even more slowly and alternately pulling from the ends of the right and left sides of the paper.
- If possible, pull the paper in the direction the paper is traveling in the printer.
- If there is no way to prevent the paper from tearing, grasp the paper firmly on both sides of the jam. Try to find all the torn parts.
Step 5. Slide the printer head and try again
If the paper is still jammed, follow the instructions for removing the printhead or ink cartridge according to your printer model. Carefully pull out the torn pieces of paper, or hold the crumpled paper intact with both hands and gently pull it downwards.
If you don't have a printer manual, search the internet for the manual and model name for your printer
Step 6. Check the output tray
In inkjet printers, paper sometimes gets stuck in the part of the machine near the output tray. Check the gaps that feed the paper into the output tray and carefully remove any visible paper.
Some models have a button that enlarges this gap to make the withdrawal process easier
Step 7. Try disassembling further
If the printer still doesn't work, you can try to disassemble all the parts to look for paper jams. Since there are many different printer models, you should look for specific instructions in your user manual. Search the internet or contact the printer manufacturer if you don't have the manual.
Many printers employ a basic method of removing the back panel and/or input tray, and this is a great place to start. Check the removable access panel on the back, and the plastic tabs deep inside the input tray
Step 8. Clean the printer head
If you have removed a lot of paper but the printer is still having problems, run the printer head cleaning process. This process will remove paper microfibres that are clogging the ink nozzles.
Close all access panels and reinstall all trays before you start printing again
Step 9. Try to make repairs or replacements
If the printer is still not working, consider contacting a printer repair service. In some cases, buying a new inkjet printer can be a cheaper option.
Method 2 of 4: Laser Printer
Step 1. Turn off, unplug the power cord, and open the printer
Turn off the printer and wait for the power off process to complete. Unplug the printer's power cord. Open the main cover, where you would normally insert the toner cartridge.
Step 2. Wait 10-30 minutes until the printer cools down
During the laser printing process, the paper passes through two hot rollers called “fusers”. If paper gets stuck in or near the fuser, wait at least ten minutes for the fuser to cool. The fuser can reach dangerously high temperatures.
Some printer models recommend waiting at least thirty minutes
Step 3. Pull out the ink cartridge, if you don't see the jammed paper
On laser printers, either the front or top cover usually shows the printer's ink cartridges. If you haven't found the paper, carefully pull out the ink cartridge. Most just need to be pulled. Some models may require you to unhook or a pair of hooks.
Step 4. Pull out the paper carefully
Hold the paper with both hands if possible. to prevent the paper from tearing, pull the paper very slowly, Continue patiently until the paper comes off. If the paper does not move, continue to the next step. Don't pull it by force.
If you can't reach the paper, use wide grip tweezers
Step 5. Check the rollers
Paper jams often occur when paper passes through both rollers. If the rollers move easily to the touch, slowly rotate both rollers until the paper comes off. If the jam is more complex, with lots of folds and tears, see the part of the machine that connects the rollers to all the other parts of the printer. Carefully remove one roller and lift it out of the printer to free the paper.
- We recommend following the instructions in the user manual. Do not try to handle the machine by force.
- Many printer models use rollers connected by a “hole or pin” hook. Press the pin down to release the roller.
Step 6. Seek help from the manual or a repairman
If the paper still won't eject, try checking your printer's manual for further instructions on further disassembly. If you have removed all the paper but the printer is still not working, contact a printer repair service to check for printer parts that need to be replaced.
Method 3 of 4: Office Printer
Step 1. Locate the paper release button
Many office printers can clear a paper jam on their own. Look for buttons marked paper release or paper jam. Check the manual if you are having trouble identifying each button.
This step can't hurt to try again in the next process, if you have successfully removed the paper but still can't print
Step 2. Restart printer. Turn off the printer and allow the power off process to complete. Wait a few moments, then turn the printer back on. Sometimes the printer will issue a paper jam by itself in the process of starting up. Restarting the printer can make it check the paper path and stop detecting any cleared jams.
Step 3. Read the readout (visual data), if possible
Many printers have a small screen showing a line or two of text. When a jam occurs, the printer will likely try to tell you where the paper jam is and what to do next. Follow the on-screen instructions and user manual to reduce the chance of damaging your printer.
Step 4. Remove excess paper
Make sure the tray is filled with paper, but not over capacity. Sometimes too much or too little paper will be considered a jam. Try sending the print command again after reducing the paper stack below the maximum recommended capacity for your printer model.
Step 5. Locate the paper jam location
Remove all paper from the tray. Open all trays and access panels completely until you locate the paper jam. If the panel cannot be opened with gentle pressure, look for an opening latch or check the manual.
- Warning: Do not put your hand into the printer while it is still on. This can cause serious injury.
- Some trays with drawer models can be pulled out completely. Look for the opening hook.
- Using a mirror can be helpful when inspecting the tray and back panel.
- If possible, move the printer away from the wall so you have easier access.
Step 6. Turn off the printer and let it cool down for 30 minutes
Turn off the printer. Give the printer a chance to cool for at least 30 minutes or check with the user manual that the part of the machine where the paper jam is at is a safe temperature.
For added safety, unplug the printer's power cord
Step 7. Carefully remove the paper
When you find the paper, pull it gently with both hands. If you have a choice, pull from the side that shows the wider part of the paper. Do not pull forcefully, as tearing the paper can cause more problems.
If you can't pull it out, contact the person responsible for repairing the office printer
Step 8. Clean the dirty parts of the machine inside the printer, if you can't find the paper jam
A dirty machine is rarely a cause of paper jams, but it's worth trying to clean it if you don't see any paper jams. Check the user manual to prevent damage from occurring.
Step 9. Turn on the printer
Install all trays and close all panels before you turn on the printer. After turning it on, give the printer a chance to complete the startup process.
Step 10. Try sending the print command one more time
Some printers remember unfinished print jobs and try again automatically. For other models, you may have to send the print command again.
If the readout displays an error message, check the user manual to interpret its meaning
Step 11. Call a professional
Office printers are very expensive, are also perishable equipment, and some problems are not easy to fix without specialized tools and knowledge. Usually the office has a contract with a company that provides repair and servicing services. Call the service and ask them to check the printer.
Method 4 of 4: Repairing a Jammed Printer Not Due to Paper
Step 1. Open the lid
Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source. Open the top or front cover of the printer.
If you are using a laser printer, wait 10-30 minutes before putting your hands inside (or even 1 hour for some printer models). The inside of a laser printer can be very hot
Step 2. Locate the printer roller
Turn on the flashlight to look inside the printer, in the area around the paper feed slot. You should be able to see a long cylinder of plastic, or a rod connected to a small piece of plastic. This plastic part is the roller that feeds the paper into the printer.
- If you can't find it, try turning the printer over or opening the back or side panels. You may have to read the printer's user manual first to find out how to open the panel.
- If the printer roller appears damaged, this is the source of the problem. Read the printer's user manual to see if this roller can be replaced.
Step 3. Check the roller for dirt
If the printer has a "Paper Jam" warning when there is no paper in it, it may be due to another blockage. Check for clogging objects along the rollers. Pick this up with tweezers or by turning the printer over.
Step 4. Prepare a cloth and cleaning fluid
Dust and dirt adhering to the rollers can cause a "Paper Jam" warning. You can fix this by cleaning the printer. However, we recommend that you match the cleaning equipment to the type of printer you are using:
- Toner for laser printers has particles that can irritate the lungs. So, wear a mask that can filter out small particles, and buy a special toner wipe that can clean almost all particles. Wet the cloth with 99% isopropyl alcohol. (Some rollers will break when exposed to alcohol. So check your printer's user manual for the best solvent to use, such as distilled water.)
- Inkjet printers are easier to clean. Just use a lint-free cloth (such as a microfiber cloth) then lightly dampen it with isopropyl alcohol or distilled water if you want to reduce the risk of damage.
- To clean a very dirty roller, use a special rubber rejuvenator product. Read the safety instructions first as this product can cause serious damage to the skin and eyes, as well as corrode the plastic parts of the printer.
Step 5. Clean the printer roller
Wipe the damp cloth onto the roller surface. If the roller does not rotate, remove the clamp then remove it from the printer. That way, you can clean the entire surface of the roller.
Toner wipes tear easily. So, wipe gently so that no torn cloth remains and clogs the printer
Step 6. Check the rest of the printer
Blockages can also occur in other parts of the printer. Remove all removable covers on the printer. All laser printers and some inkjet printers have another pair of rollers near the paper eject gap. The "Paper Jam" error may also be caused by an object getting into this roller.
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Warning:
the output rollers on laser printers can be very hot and cause burns. Actually this is the part that heats the ink to the surface of the paper.
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Warning:
these rollers are very close to perishable parts, and need special handling for laser printers. It is recommended that you read the printer's user manual for specific cleaning methods.
Tips
- The hooks are usually made with a contrasting plastic color, different from the color of the printer body and ink cartridges. Many hooks even have embossed letters or stickers telling you which way to push or pull them.
- If your printer has had more than one paper jam in recent times, ask a printer repairman to have it checked. This may be due to a damaged or worn engine part and is impossible to repair at home.
- Check the paper guides (small tabs in the input tray). Adjust it so that it is not loose, but not so that it rubs against your paper.
- Prevent paper jams in the future by filling the paper tray properly without exceeding capacity; do not reuse paper that is curled or wrinkled; use the correct paper size and weight; use the manual paper pick-up tray for envelopes, labels and clear plastic paper; keep the printer in good condition.
- Make sure all latches are fully engaged when reinserting the ink cartridges and paper trays, and when closing all covers.
- If the printer is in public use, such as at a school, library, coffee shop, or workplace, don't forget that you can always ask staff (IT or otherwise). They may know a particular printer model better than you, and they may prefer to deal with the paper jam problem themselves rather than risk damaging the printer by leaving it to someone less experienced.
Warning
- Some parts of the laser printer become so hot that it can cause burns. Always act with caution.
- Prohibited inserting your hand or finger into the part of the printer that does not allow you to retract it.
- Don't cut the paper. This risks damaging the printer.
- Never push or pull too hard, whether it's paper or the various covers and hooks found on your printer. The parts that are designed to come off will be easily removed. If the paper looks like it will come off but won't come off when you pull it, look for a button or hook to remove it.
