Fixing a Paper Jam

If you have worked with an office printer or copier then you have probably experienced a paper jam at some point. Despite the countless upgrades that companies like Xerox have made it seems that we cannot entirely eliminate the dreaded paper jam. Luckily, fixing a paper jam is relatively easy to do as long as you know how to handle it.

The first thing to note about fixing a paper jam is that you are going to want to be calm. We know that they always happen at bad times, but you want to be careful with your machine. Being aggressive with your machine can only cause problems with the insides of your machine.

  1. Find the source of the jam. The paper causing the jam will usually be in the paper tray. If you can’t find it there then you may need to look inside the machine.
  2. Remove the jam. Be gentle and do not tuck on the paper. This could cause it to rip, making it more difficult. It can also lead to other parts breaking, which will lead to bigger repairs in the future.
  3. Double check for any scraps. Sometimes the paper will rip and leave scraps. Remove and excess waste left inside the machine.
  4. Run a cleaning program. This will clean your brushes, and remove any extra dust of tiny pieces of paper left behind.

Following these steps is all it should take to fix your paper jam. If you are still experiencing problems then there may be something else wrong with your machine. If this is the case then it may be time to bring a professional in to check on your machine for you.