How to resolve Paper Jam On Printer

Printer jams will occur at some point during the life of your printer. Jams can be caused by using improper paper weights for print jobs, packing uneven stacks of paper in the tray, exceeding the tray’s capacity, overheating, electrical problems and mechanical problems. You should be able to remove the jammed paper yourself without much difficulty and the removal steps are similar for most printer models. Some printer models will guide you through paper jam removal while others leave you to figure it out on your own. Always read the manufacturer’s guide for instructions specific to your printer model.

Step 1

Press the paper-feed button on the printer once to manually advance the paper off the drum roll or print head. This step is usually sufficient to clear minor paper jams. The printer produces a crumpled piece of partially printed paper and resume normal functioning.

But make sure these errors are not available on your computer.

Step 2

Turn off the printer and unplug it from the socket. If you’re using a laser printer, allow it to cool down completely before proceeding as the drum rolls can get very hot during operation and pose a burn risk.

Step 3

Snap open the protective doors or covers on the paper path, exposing the ink toner or printer cartridge and the stuck paper beneath. You need to remove the toner cartridge for a laser printer. You may need to remove the input trays or open the front and back paper-path doors in order to gain access to the jammed paper, depending on your printer’s design or if the paper is stuck on a feed roll.

Step 4

Hold the edges of the jammed paper with both hands and gently but firmly pull it towards you or in the natural printing direction and out of the printer. Check for any scraps or torn bits of paper and remove these as well to prevent further jamming. Be careful not to cause mechanical damage to the printer while pulling on the paper. If you cannot remove the paper or accidentally break something, call for professional service.

Step 5

Close the printer doors and replace the input trays. Wipe up any traces of loose toner or ink from the outside of the printer and your hands using the towel or napkin. Plug the printer into the electrical socket and turn on the printer.

Step 6

Press the Windows key on your computer keyboard to expand the Start menu and click "Printers and Devices." Double click the printer's icon and delete the failed print job from the printer queue on your computer. Return the printer to “online” mode if necessary.