Printer Troubleshooting

How to Clear a Printer Paper Jam Safely

Last reviewed · General guidance — steps vary by model and operating system

Paper jams are one of the most common printer problems, and most can be cleared in a few minutes. The key is patience: pulling hard on stuck paper can tear it, leaving small pieces inside that cause the next jam, or can damage rollers and sensors.

This guide covers where to look, how to remove paper safely, what to do when the printer reports a jam but you cannot see any paper, and how to reduce jams in future.

When this guide applies

  • The printer displays a paper jam message or flashing jam light.
  • Paper stops part-way through the printer.
  • Pages come out crumpled or folded.
  • The printer reports a jam but no paper is visible.

Possible causes

Paper loaded badly
An overfilled tray, paper guides set too loose or too tight, or a stack that is not flat.
Unsuitable paper
Paper that is too thick, too thin, curled, damp, creased or not supported by the printer or tray.
Torn scraps inside
A small piece left over from an earlier jam can block the paper path or a sensor.
Dirty or worn rollers
Feed rollers that have collected dust or lost grip can pick up several sheets at once or feed them crookedly.
Foreign objects
Paper clips, staples, labels or other items that have fallen into the printer.

Safety first

  • Turn the printer off before reaching inside, and unplug it if you need to put your hands deep into the paper path.
  • Laser printers have a fuser unit that gets very hot during printing. Let the printer cool for the time your manual recommends before touching anything near the rear or output area, and look for any warning labels.
  • Do not use scissors, knives, tweezers or other tools to dig out paper. They can damage rollers, sensors and the printhead or drum.
  • Avoid touching the drum (on laser printers), the printhead, the clear plastic encoder strip and electrical contacts.

1. Prepare before you pull anything

  1. Read the message

    Many printers tell you where the jam is (for example the input tray, the rear door or the duplex unit) and may show an animation. Start there.

  2. Switch off and wait

    Turn the printer off with its power button. Wait for any moving parts to stop, and for a laser printer, allow time for internal parts to cool.

  3. Note how the paper travels

    Paper normally moves from the tray, through the printer, to the output tray. Removing paper in the same direction it travels is usually safest; your manual may show a specific direction for each access point.

2. Remove the jammed paper

  1. Check the input tray

    Pull out or open the paper tray. Remove any sheets that are partly fed or crumpled, then remove the stack and check for paper caught at the back of the tray opening.

  2. Check the output area

    If paper is sticking out of the output slot, grip it with both hands and pull slowly and evenly. Stop if you feel strong resistance and try another access point instead.

  3. Open the rear access door or duplex unit

    Many printers have a rear door or removable panel, sometimes part of the automatic two-sided printing (duplex) unit. Open or remove it as shown in your manual and gently pull out any paper you find.

  4. Check under the main cover

    Open the front or top cover. On a laser printer, you may need to remove the toner or drum assembly to see the paper; set it on a clean sheet of paper away from direct light. On an inkjet, do not force the cartridge carriage; if it is blocked by paper, remove the paper gently around it.

  5. Look for torn pieces

    Hold the removed sheet together and check whether any part is missing. If a corner is missing, it is still inside. A torch can help you spot small pieces.

3. Reassemble and test

  1. Close every door and cover

    Replace any toner, drum or duplex unit and make sure every cover clicks shut. An open door can be reported as a jam.

  2. Reload paper correctly

    Reload a moderate stack of fresh paper (see section 5), adjust the guides, then switch the printer on.

  3. Print a single page

    Print one test page before sending a large job. Some printers will try to finish the interrupted job automatically.

4. If the printer reports a jam but there is no paper

A “false” jam usually means something is still blocking a sensor or the paper path, or the printer needs a reset.

  1. Search for small scraps again

    Check every access point with a torch, including the rear door, duplex unit and the area behind the tray. Small pieces often hide near rollers.

  2. Check the inkjet carriage can move

    On inkjet printers, with the printer switched off, open the cover and check whether the cartridge carriage can move freely along its rail. Some manuals describe moving it gently by hand to look underneath; follow your model’s instructions only.

  3. Do a power reset

    Turn the printer off, unplug it from the wall for about a minute, plug it back in and switch it on. This clears some stuck jam messages.

  4. Clean the rollers

    Dirty rollers can cause misfeeds that the printer reports as jams. See how to clean a printer for a safe method.

5. Prevent future paper jams

  1. Load paper carefully

    Fan the stack to separate the sheets, tap it square on a flat surface and load it face and orientation as marked in the tray. Do not fill above the tray’s maximum line.

  2. Set the paper guides

    Slide the guides so they touch the edges of the stack without bending it.

  3. Use supported paper

    Check the paper types and weights your printer supports in its specifications. Use the manual feed or rear tray for thicker media if your printer has one, and set the matching paper type in the print settings.

  4. Store paper properly

    Keep paper flat, in its wrapper, in a dry place. Damp or curled paper jams more easily.

  5. Do not add paper during printing

    Wait until the printer has finished or asks for paper before adding more.

If it still isn’t working

Check the manual for jam-clearance diagrams. Manufacturers usually show every access point for your model. Find the manual on the manufacturer’s official website if you no longer have it.

Try a different tray or paper. If jams happen with only one tray or one type of paper, the problem is likely that tray’s rollers or the paper itself.

Stop if something is stuck firmly or broken. If paper will not come out without force, or you see a broken part, do not continue. Check the manufacturer’s official support resources or your warranty.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my printer keep jamming?

Repeated jams are usually caused by the paper (damp, curled, too heavy or overloaded), torn scraps left inside from a previous jam, or worn or dirty feed rollers.

Which way should I pull jammed paper?

In general, pull slowly with both hands in the direction the paper travels. Your printer’s manual may give a specific direction for each access door; follow it where available.

Why does my printer say paper jam when there is no paper?

A small scrap, an open cover, a blocked inkjet carriage or a sensor that needs resetting can all trigger a jam message. Check every access point and try a power reset.