Paper jam or paper keeps jamming?
Most jams clear safely if you power off, remove the paper gently and check for torn scraps.
What is happening?
1 of 2Likely cause
Likely cause: a sheet stopped partway along the paper path.
- 1Turn the printer off and unplug it if you can reach the plug safely.
- 2Open any covers or trays that give access to the paper path.
- 3Pull the paper out slowly in the direction it normally travels, with both hands and steady pressure.
- 4Look for torn scraps, close everything and restart the printer.
Likely cause
Likely cause: loose, damp, curled or overfilled paper, or a leftover scrap in the paper path.
- 1Remove all paper from the tray and fan the stack so the sheets separate.
- 2Load only fresh, dry, flat paper and do not fill past the limit marked in the tray.
- 3Adjust the paper guides so they touch the stack lightly without squeezing it.
- 4Look carefully for a hidden torn piece in the paper path and remove it.
Likely cause
Likely cause: a torn scrap is blocking the paper path.
- 1Keep the printer off and open every cover, door and tray that gives access.
- 2Use a flashlight to find the scrap. Pull it out gently with your fingers.
- 3Do not use knives, screwdrivers or other sharp tools.
- 4If you cannot see or reach the piece, stop and contact the manufacturer.
Most likely causes
Paper loaded badly
Overfilled trays, sheets stuck together, or paper guides set too tight or too loose are common causes.
Damp, curled or damaged paper
Paper that absorbed moisture or has bent edges feeds poorly. Torn or folded sheets jam easily.
A leftover scrap in the paper path
A small piece from an earlier jam can catch the next sheet and make jams repeat.
Worn feed parts
Rollers that wear out over time can stop gripping paper evenly. This is a service or replacement issue.
What to try, in order
- 1Power off firstTurn the printer off before you reach inside. Unplug it if the plug is easy and safe to reach.
- 2Remove the paper along its pathOpen the covers and pull the sheet out in the direction it normally travels. Use slow, even pressure so it does not tear.
- 3Check for torn scrapsLook through every opening with a light. Remove any small pieces by hand. Never use sharp tools.
- 4Reload the paper correctlyFan a fresh stack, tap it level, load it flat below the fill mark and set the guides lightly against the edges.
Never use a knife, screwdriver or any sharp tool inside the printer, and do not force a sheet that will not move. Parts inside a laser printer can be hot, so let it cool first.
When to stop and replace
Stop and contact the manufacturer if you smell burning or see smoke, if paper is trapped where you cannot reach it, or if jams keep happening after you clear the path and load fresh paper. Repeated jams after a clean path often mean worn feed parts, which are not a good home repair.
Inkjet or laser?
Inkjet printers
On an inkjet, a jam can leave the print carriage stuck or the ink wet. Wait for the printer to settle after clearing the paper, and do not force the carriage by hand. When it works again, print a page to check the output.
Print a nozzle check after a jamLaser printers
On a laser printer, let the printer cool down before you open it, because internal parts can be hot. Pull the paper out along its path, and check that nothing is left behind. Printed sheets from a jam may have loose toner, so handle them with care.
Check output with an alignment pageWhy paper jams happen
A paper jam happens when a sheet stops moving through the paper path. The cause is often simple: too many sheets in the tray, paper that is damp or curled, guides set too tight, or a small torn piece left from an earlier jam. Less often, worn rollers stop gripping the sheet.
Clear a jam safely
Turn the printer off before you reach inside, and unplug it if that is easy to do. Open every cover and tray that gives access to the paper path. Pull the paper out slowly in the direction it normally travels, using both hands and steady pressure. A sheet pulled the wrong way or too fast is more likely to tear and leave scraps behind.
Check for torn pieces
After the main sheet is out, look through each opening with a flashlight. Remove any small scraps with your fingers. Do not use knives, screwdrivers or other sharp tools, since they can damage parts. If a laser printer was just running, give it time to cool before you reach in.
Reload to prevent the next jam
Remove the remaining paper, fan the stack so the sheets separate, tap it level and load it flat below the fill mark. Set the guides so they touch the stack lightly. Use fresh, dry paper stored flat.
After the jam
Close all covers, turn the printer on and let it start. A jam can leave a job stuck in the queue, so check it using our guide to print job stuck in queue. Then print a test page from Windows or Mac, or use a file from our test page PDF hub.
When to stop
If you smell burning, see smoke or cannot reach trapped paper, stop and contact the manufacturer. Repeated jams after a clean path and good paper also call for support. Browse all printer problems for other issues.
Good questions
Which way do I pull jammed paper?
Why does my printer keep jamming with new paper?
Is it safe to pull the paper out with the printer on?
Can I use tweezers or a tool to reach a scrap?
Related problems
- Print job stuck in queueJobs sit in the queue and never print.
- Blank pagesPaper comes out with nothing on it.
- Driver or connection issueThe printer is not found or will not connect.
