How To Fix and Avoid Printer Paper Jams



  4. Close all doors and turn on the printer. Once switched on, the printer should reset itself automatically. If the printer reports that it is still jammed, double-check for stray paper scraps, and then close all the doors again. If the printer continues to complain, try turning it off and then back on. If the complaints continue, you'll have to call for service--and hope that a deep-seated piece of paper--rather than a broken mechanical part--is the source of the problem.

To avoid a jam next time:

  1. Use only one kind of paper at a time in your input tray.
  2. Whether you have a single input tray in your printer's driver or many input trays, tell the printer what kind of paper you have in the tray: Most printer controls include a section or drop-down list where you can pick a paper by name, type, thickness, or other quality.
  3. If you aren't sure whether your printer takes a certain kind of paper, check its documentation.
  4. When you reload your input tray, pay attention to the tray's needs, such as how the paper should be loaded and whether the length or width guides need adjusting.

With some patience and attention, you can probably overcome any printer problem that vexes you--and avoid having the nightmare recur in the future. Here's how to address five of the most common printer complaints.

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