Paper Jams

Proceed carefully to avoid making printer paper jams worse.

A printer paper jam needn’t be so catastrophic as it first seems. However, the way you go about trying to clear the paper jam can make all the difference in the world between success and needing an expensive repair.

Avoid Rushing with Paper Jams

The big secret in clearing paper jams always centers around removing the entire obstruction as a single piece. You may be tempted to grab at whatever corners you possibly can reach, figuring that you’ll get the rest of the obstruction on subsequent passes. However, this can be a sure ticket to failure.

The problem is, once the obstruction breaks up into smaller pieces, you’re bound to leave a few slivers behind, no matter how careful you are. So how can you maximize your chances of success in removing the entire obstruction at once?

Five Steps for Clearing Paper Jams

1) Remove any remaining paper, envelopes or sheets of labels from your intake and trays.

2) Remove paper tray(s) -- Next, if the printer has a removable cassette or tray that holds the intake paper, remove that tray so you can get a better view of any clogged areas of the printer.

3) Get a view of the toner/ink area -- Then open the area where the inkjet or toner cartridge meets the paper and, if you can, remove the inkjet or toner cartridge to give yourself better access to the obstruction.

4) Open up the rear door -- Finally, if your printer has a back door for a straight paper path, open the rear tray. Once again inspect for any less obvious obstructions.

5) Now start pulling evenly -- After you’ve thoroughly surveyed the paper path, from start to finish, begin pulling gently on the obstruction and applying force at different places evenly, until you’re able to remove the entire obstruction at once.

 

Printer Paper Jams Action Items

Do you know how to take apart the inkjet printers and laser printers in your office, to maximize your chances of being able to clear paper jams?

Do you understand how the paper flows through your printers, so you have a better conceptual idea of where paper obstructions reside?

If you are unclear on the paper flow, does the printer documentation, or any information on the printer manufacturer's tech support Web site, clarify how the paper flows through the printer?

Do your printers allow for a straight paper path, and have back doors for this purpose, that provide one more place where paper jams can occur?

 

Printer Cartridge Refills : Next >>