Is there anything more frustrating than encountering a paper jam in the middle of your work day? If you have hundreds of documents to print a day with deadlines looming, a paper jam in the office printer or photocopier can be a huge disruption. And as much as you’ll want to rip the paper out (or give the printer a quick kick), it’s important to address and fix the paper jam properly to avoid any potential damage to the printer, which can be costly to fix.
Here, we’ll walk you through how to identify, fix and prevent paper jams from happening so you’ll know exactly what to do if needed.
Identifying a Paper Jam
Usually, if a paper jam has occurred, an error message will pop up to let you know. However, if no error message has appeared, but your printouts aren’t appearing, or the paper is coming out ripped and crumpled, you can be certain there’s a jam.
If there is a jam and you’ve managed to catch it quickly enough, we’d recommend safely turning the machine off at the plug to prevent any further issues, such as the jam getting worse.
Accessing the Paper Path
While every machine is different, and depending on how bad the jam is, by following these general guidelines, you’ll be able to quickly and effectively access the paper path and fix the issue.
Printer Manual
First of all, before attempting to fix anything yourself, always check the printer’s manual for specific guidance. This manual will tell you exactly how to locate the jam, where the main cover is and how to remove the paper without causing further damage.
Removing Jammed Paper
To remove the jammed paper from the machine, follow the steps below:
Turn Printer Power Off
If the printer has become jammed during printing, make sure you turn off the machine first and stop it from printing any further. This will not only make it safe for you to handle but also prevent any damage from happening. You’ll likely also need to wait a few minutes for the printer to cool down and unplug the machine for extra safety measures.
Removing Paper
Locate where the paper jam has occurred by carefully inspecting the machine for torn or crumpled paper. The easiest way to see the problem is to open up the main cover. However, be careful and try not to force it open, as this could permanently damage the print head.
Slowly and gently pull the paper out of the machine if possible, avoiding additional tearing as this can leave small bits of paper behind, causing you issues in the future. For narrow areas, we suggest using a pair of tweezers to reach, alternating tugging from the left and the right. This may take some time, so patience is key. We’d also recommend pulling the paper in the direction it would normally travel through the printer to make it as easy as possible to remove.
Residual Paper
Once all the paper you can see has been removed, check the machine and the paper path thoroughly for any remaining bits of paper, including the output tray and the back panel. Use a torch for a better view of the printer’s internal components. If you’re unsure how to take some components apart, always refer back to the printer’s manual.
Restarting the Printer
When you’re certain all the paper has been removed, ensure the main cover is closed properly and power the printer back on. After turning the printer on, give it some time to complete its start-up cycle and then check for any error messages. Some printers may remember an unfinished print job and will try again automatically, but for others, you might need to manually start the print job again.
Preventing Future Paper Jams
Although paper jams can be a fairly common occurrence and something that seems unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to lessen and even prevent future paper jams.
Proper Loading
One of the biggest causes of a paper jam is incorrect loading or overloading the paper tray. To help minimise the risk of future jams, never load crumpled or creased paper into the tray, as they can cause an obstruction. Use the recommended paper type for the printer and avoid loading more than one type of paper into the machine. It’s also recommended to only fill the paper tray once it’s completely empty to avoid the risk of overfilling and the old paper lingering at the bottom, degrading or becoming warped.
Regular Office Printer Maintenance
Regularly maintaining your office printer is also key to ensuring a paper jam doesn’t occur. Paper and toner dust can easily accumulate over time, causing the moving parts to slip or not feed the paper through properly. So, creating a schedule for routine printer maintenance, which includes cleaning the paper path and rollers, can greatly help the smooth-running of the printer.
If you’re kitting out a new office or want to upgrade your current printing equipment, check out our office printing solutions and let us help you get the best printers and photocopiers for your requirements.