In this step-by-step guide on “How to Fix Common Printer Paper Jams,” Printer Touch takes you deep learn about the major cause of paper jams in printers and some effective ways to solve one of the most frustrating printing issues.
Paper jams can impede productivity and be frustrating, but with our professional advice and methods, you’ll be ready to deal with them head-on. We cover every facet of paper jam troubleshooting, from identifying the underlying reasons to putting preventative measures in place. Our step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of effectively fixing Printer Paper Jams. Regardless of your level of experience, our blog will enable you to continue having a positive printing experience. Embrace hassle-free printing and bid farewell to paper jams!
Have you faced a printer pam jam situation when you must get some important documents printed? Of course, everyone faces this from time to time. You need to print an important document. You press the print button and suddenly you see the error button flashing and the printer is stuck. Seeing the printer stuck is an annoying sight. On the surface, solving printer paper jams looks like a very technical thing but it is not. You can easily do printer paper jam troubleshooting in just a few simple steps. In this blog, we will teach you the root causes of printer paper jams and how to fix a printer paper jam swiftly.
What causes the Printer Paper Jam?
Before we get to learn printer paper jam troubleshooting, we need to learn about the various causes that lead to paper jam in a printer.
- Incorrect loading of papers
- Loading of damaged or wrinkled papers
- Dirt and other foreign particles inside the printer
- Loading of Incompatible papers inside the printer
- Damaged roller or other hardware parts
How to fix printer paper jams?
We have a saying “Getting to know the cause of a problem solves half of your problem.” and it is correct. Till now we already know the root causes of paper jams in a printer. Now, it’s time for paper jam troubleshooting. While the troubleshooting part is easy, the task may get a bit frustrating so keep your cool and follow the following steps carefully
STEP 1- Turn off and unplug the printer
Do not start printer paper jam troubleshooting while the printer is turned on. Before identifying and examining the issue causing the paper jam in a printer, cancel all the printing tasks, turn the printer off, and unplug it from the power source to ensure safety. If you have been using the printer before the paper jam and the printer is heated, kindly give it 20 to 30 minutes to cool down before you start the troubleshooting process.
STEP 2. Look for a paper jam situation
Most of the paper jam in a printer occurs as the paper gets inside the printer and sometimes breaks into little pieces which jam the printing route. First, remove all the papers from the tray so the area becomes more visible. Take a torch or use your mobile phone’s flashlight to carefully look inside and examine the printer. If you see any paper stuck at the printer’s entrance, slowly and gently remove it one piece at a time. After removing any large sheets or pieces visible, look carefully for tiny bits of paper, and examine the machine properly to ensure that no small bits of paper remain. Take care not to rip the paper because any pieces that remain could lead to more jams in the future. If the paper is stuck, follow the directions in the printer’s handbook to reach the paper path and remove it completely.
STEP 3. Check for dust and any other foreign particles
Sometimes the paper jam in a printer is not caused by any piece of paper stuck inside the printer but because of some dust particles or any foreign material stuck in the way of rolling the paper out or in. Look carefully for any foreign particles and clear the dust inside the printer to ensure the smooth working of the printer.
STEP 4. Check the printer rollers
The next step in printer paper jam troubleshooting is to check the printer rollers. Examine the rollers to determine if they spin freely. If they are not turning freely then you might need to get it checked or replaced. While checking the rollers please avoid attempting to push the rollers against their will to prevent damage to the rollers.
STEP 5. Check all the printing papers for damage and wrinkles
Sometimes, the paper jam in a printer is not caused because of paper stuck inside the printer. It can be caused by using damaged and wrinkled papers which leads to the problem. Check every paper. Check each paper for damage and wrinkles. Do not use papers that are even slightly torn as it can jam your printer further. If any of the paper has wrinkles, try to fix the wrinkles. If the wrinkles are much more and cannot be fixed then keep the wrinkled paper aside and do not take it for use. Place the papers in perfect condition in the tray and now we are good to go.
STEP 6. Close the doors and turn on the printer
So the printer paper jam troubleshooting is done and now it’s time to check if the printer is running smoothly.
Close all the printer doors and make sure the doors are shut tightly because a loose door could lead to the paper inside the machine being distorted once more.
Turn the switch on and give it a try. Try to print any document. If the printer paper jam troubleshooting is done perfectly and there is no other hardware damage, your printer will start working again. If the printer is still stuck then it’s time to move on from “how to fix printer paper jams” and call a service guy to fix the problem or get a new printer.
Printer paper jam troubleshooting is easy but you must be patient and handle things with ease. A printer is just another machine and it requires timely maintenance and cleaning. Remember to do routine maintenance to reduce the likelihood of repeat jams and increase the longevity of your printer.