Clearing Paper Jams and Fixing Paper-Feed Problems

01Key takeaway

To clear a paper jam, cancel the job, turn the printer off and unplug it (let a laser cool), open only the trays and doors the manual or screen shows, and pull the paper out slowly with both hands in the direction it normally travels. Check for torn scraps, close everything, and turn the printer back on. Then fix the cause: usually overloaded, damp or wrong paper, or loose paper guides.

02Terms used in this guide

• Paper path: the route paper takes through the printer, from the tray to the output.
• Paper guides: sliding edges in a tray that hold the stack straight.
• Pickup rollers: rubber rollers that pull one sheet at a time from the tray.
• Rear access door or duplex unit: a cover at the back of many printers that gives access to the paper path.
• Fuser: the hot part of a laser printer that melts toner onto paper.

03Clear the jam safely

1. Cancel the print job on your computer, so it doesn’t restart when you clear the jam.
2. Read the printer’s screen. Many printers show where the jam is and which doors to open.
3. Turn the printer off and unplug it. For a laser printer, wait for it to cool as the manual recommends; parts near the fuser can be very hot.
4. Open the trays and doors the manual shows, in the order it suggests. Common places are the input tray, the output area, the front cover and a rear access door.
5. Remove the paper slowly with both hands. Pull steadily in the direction the paper normally travels. If it resists, try another access point rather than pulling harder.
6. Look for scraps. Use a flashlight. Small torn pieces can cause repeat jams. Remove only what you can reach easily with your fingers.
7. Close everything firmly, reconnect power and turn the printer on.

You should see: the jam message clear. If it stays, check each access point again for a scrap or a door that isn’t fully closed.

Never use scissors, tweezers, knives or other tools inside the printer, remove screws or panels, or reach toward hot parts. If paper is stuck where the manual doesn’t show access, stop and contact the manufacturer.

04Find out why it jammed

05Prevent jams and feed problems

1. Use supported paper. Check the manual for paper sizes, types and weights for each tray.
2. Fan the stack. Before loading, flex and fan the paper so sheets separate, then tap the edges straight.
3. Don’t overfill. Keep the stack below the tray’s maximum mark.
4. Set the guides snugly. They should touch the paper edges without bending the stack.
5. Don’t add paper mid-job. Wait until the tray is empty or the printer is idle.
6. Keep paper flat and dry. Store it in its wrapper, away from damp areas. Curled or damp paper jams more often.
7. Don’t mix paper types in one tray.
8. Clean the pickup rollers if your manual describes how. Usually this means wiping them with a lint-free cloth, lightly dampened with water if the manual allows, with the printer off and unplugged.

For two-sided printing problems, see our duplex printing guide, and for routine care, our printer maintenance routine.

06Jam message but no paper inside

Sometimes the printer reports a jam when you can’t see any paper. Try these:

• Check every access point the manual lists, including the duplex unit and rear door, with a flashlight.
• Look for small scraps or labels stuck in the paper path.
• Check doors and trays are fully closed; a sensor may think a door is open.
• Make sure the inkjet carriage can move freely if your manual tells you how to check it, with the printer off.
• Restart the printer after checking.

If the message persists, a sensor may need attention; contact the manufacturer.

07Unusual noises

Grinding, clicking or squealing noises during printing can come from a jam, an object in the paper path (a paper clip or label), or a mechanical problem. Stop printing, turn the printer off, check the paper path for objects you can reach easily, and restart. If the noise continues, contact the manufacturer’s support rather than investigating further inside the printer. If jobs stopped after a jam, see jobs stuck in the queue.

08When to get more help

Contact the manufacturer if paper is stuck somewhere you can’t reach through the doors the manual shows, if a jam message remains after all access points are clear, if the printer makes grinding or burning smells, or if parts look broken. Don’t remove panels or screws. Have the model, serial number and the exact message ready.

09Common questions

Why does my printer keep jamming with the same paper?

The paper may be damp, curled, too thin or too thick, or the guides may be loose. Try a fresh pack from a different box and recheck the guides.

Can I pull paper out backwards?

It’s better to pull it in the direction it normally travels, because pulling backwards can damage rollers or leave scraps. Follow the manual’s direction for each access point.

Is it safe to reach inside a laser printer?

Only in the areas the manual shows, with the printer off and cool. The fuser area can be very hot.

What causes paper to come out wrinkled?

Damp paper, loose guides, or paper that is too thin for the printer. Store paper in its wrapper and check the supported paper weights.