Clearing a paper jam from inside a printer
Article · Printing blog

How to Fix a Paper Jam (and Stop It Happening Again)

Updated

Clear a jam by following the display and the manual for your exact model, not a universal sequence. Identify the indicated area, open only the specified access point and do not force a resisting sheet. In a laser printer, the fuser may be hot.

Key points

  • Find the indicated jam location on the display or in the manual before opening a cover.
  • Follow your model’s power-off, unplugging and cooling sequence; it differs between printers.
  • Remove only visible, accessible paper gently; stop if it tears or remains hidden.

How do you remove jammed paper step by step?

Check your model’s display and manual to locate the jam and learn whether to switch off or unplug the printer. Open only the indicated access point and gently remove paper you can see without forcing it. Avoid the fuser and other hot internal parts. If the sheet resists or tears, stop and seek service.

  1. Stop the job as the panel directs and look up the jam code or location in the manual.
  2. Follow your model’s power instructions before opening only the named cover or tray. Allow hot parts to cool if required.
  3. Grip visible paper and pull slowly, using both hands when the access permits. Stop if the sheet resists.
  4. Check only accessible areas, close the covers and resume or reset as the manual directs. Seek service if the warning remains.

For the AcuLaser CX11N, Epson says to follow the cover names shown on the panel and remove paper gently; it warns that the fuser and surrounding parts can be very hot. Epson AcuLaser CX11N

What you should never do

Do not open every cover automatically, insert tools or touch hot or internal components. Do not remove toner, drums or transport assemblies unless the manual for your exact model calls for it. If paper cannot be reached safely, request service.

What if the jam warning remains with no paper visible?

Follow your model’s jam procedure even if no paper is visible. Inspect only the trays and access points named on its display or in its manual; do not insert tools or clean sensors unless your model manual explicitly directs it. Close the covers and reset the printer as directed. If the message remains, contact the manufacturer or a qualified technician.

Why does the paper jam over and over?

First check that the paper size, type and weight are supported in your model’s chosen tray. Load flat, dry sheets below the fill mark and set the guides against the stack without bending it. If jams recur, follow the manufacturer’s diagnostic steps; there is no single leading cause for every printer.

Paper weight matters more than you think

Paper weight is measured in grams per square metre. Supported weights vary by model, tray and media type; check your printer specifications before loading card, labels or photo paper. HP’s general paper guide explains media types, but it does not replace your model’s limits. HP paper guide

Humidity, the silent enemy

Store paper flat, dry and protected from moisture. Curled, wrinkled or stuck-together sheets may feed poorly. Do not apply a single humidity percentage to every printer; use the paper maker’s storage advice and your printer’s environmental specifications.

How do I clean the rollers so they stop jamming?

Clean feed rollers only when your model manual specifies the access and method. For example, Brother instructs owners of listed DCP-T420W-family models to unplug before wiping feed rollers with a soft damp cloth and letting them dry. Do not extend that procedure to other models or clean sensors on a guess. Brother DCP-T420W

Notes by brand

Access paths and safety order can differ even within one brand. These are model-specific examples, not universal instructions:

How do I avoid future jams?

To reduce repeat jams, observe your model’s tray limits and media specifications. Check these conditions before blaming rollers, sensors or consumables:

  • Use a size, type and weight supported by the selected tray.
  • Load flat, dry sheets; set aside bent or creased ones.
  • Keep the stack below the tray’s fill mark.
  • Set guides against the paper without bending it.
  • If jams recur in the same area, follow the manufacturer’s diagnostic path or seek service.

Frequently asked questions

How do I remove jammed paper from the printer?

Check your model’s display and manual to locate the jam and learn whether to switch off or unplug the printer. Open only the indicated access point and gently remove paper you can see without forcing it. Avoid the fuser and other hot internal parts. If the sheet resists or tears, stop and seek service.

The printer says "paper jam" but there's no paper, what do I do?

Follow your model’s jam procedure even if no paper is visible. Inspect only the trays and access points named on its display or in its manual; do not insert tools or clean sensors unless your model manual explicitly directs it. Close the covers and reset the printer as directed. If the message remains, contact the manufacturer or a qualified technician.

Why does the paper jam constantly?

First check that the paper size, type and weight are supported in your model’s chosen tray. Load flat, dry sheets below the fill mark and set the guides against the stack without bending it. If jams recur, follow the manufacturer’s diagnostic steps; there is no single leading cause for every printer.

The paper has torn and a piece is left inside, how do I get it out?

Remove only pieces you can see and safely reach through the access point specified for your model, with the power state required by its manual. Do not use tweezers or reach deep into hot areas. If a fragment resists, is hidden or lies near the fuser, stop and request qualified service.

Can a paper jam damage the printer?

Yes. A jam or forceful removal can damage the paper path or internal parts. Follow your model’s sequence, pull accessible paper gently and stop if you feel resistance. Never use sharp tools or touch a hot fuser. If the warning returns after clearing the path, have the printer checked by a qualified technician.

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Sources

Last updated: July 2026. Startoner, Central Warehouse, Calle Océano Atlántico 38, 11379 Los Barrios, Cádiz. CHICTRATEC S.L. (NIF B72834534), part of the Recycop Group founded in 1998.

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