How To Remove and Clear a Paper Jams In-Office Laser Printers
Updated: May 18, 2020
Clearing Paper Jam in HP Laser Printers
Many modern office laser printers have technology built-in that can try and clear jams themselves. In some cases, you may need to remove the jam yourself.
In today's printer maintenance instructions will review the correct procedure for clearing paper jams in today's office laser printer to prevent damage and get the printer back up and running.
Before we begin make sure you join the thousands of other top service pros and get our monthly howto tips from ServiceNews by email. Subscribe at Metrofuser.com. If you find these videos helpful please consider help supporting us so we can continue helping you. Check out more Printer Diagrams, How To Videos, Step x Step Instructions and Service Pin Codes at https://www.metrofuser.com/printer-parts-blog
Turn the printer off and unplug it.
Trying to remove the fuser while the printer is on will damage the fuser permanently and could void the warranty.
Make sure the laser printer is cooled off.
Printer fusers reach temperatures of 400-degree f and can cause severe burns.
Never use anything sharp to clear paper jams
The roller and sleeve in the fuser are very sensitive. The slightest scratch can permanently damage the print quality.
Check the laser printer's control panel to see if it can tell you where the jam is located.
Many modern printers have paper sensors that trigger at the location of the paper jam. If it is not that type of printer open all the access doors and try and locate the piece of paper causing the jam.
Check The Top 9 Locations of Paper Jams
Laser printer paper pickup area tray 2
Paper feed assembly (behind the tray 1 pickup assembly)
Drop down, MP or multi-purpose tray sometimes called tray 1 paper pickup area
Transfer guide area- near the transfer roller under the toner cartridge.
Laser printer fusing area- This area is inside the heart of the printer. You may have to open doors and remove covers.
Laser printer paper output area - This area of the printer is at or right before the location the paper comes out or delivered from the printer.
Optional duplex rear cover area
Optional duplex front cover area
Optional trays - Check all lower cassette paper trays including feeders tray 3, 4, etc
Once you locate the paper jam with two hands grip firmly and evenly as much paper as possible.
Pull slowly, evenly and confidently until the paper is removed ideally as a whole piece.
Check to see if the paper is complete.
If the paper is not complete make sure you locate the missing small paper scraps that may still be lodged in the fuser and may cause errors of they remain the printers paper path.
Clearing paper jams at hard to reach locations
Remove and check the printers toner cartridge for scrap or loose paper.
Remove and check the printer's duplexer for scrap or loose paper.
On some printers pull out tray 2 and locate a square green button. pushing will drop down the duplex paper path which will give you easier access and more visibility.
Some printers have removal knobs in other areas of the printer like the registration area.
Clearing paper jams at the fuser
Locate and open the printer's fuser access door and remove the fuser
On some fusers, there is a "fuser jam removal knob" Rotate the knobs or wheels to manually remove the paper.
Open any delivery guide or doors to make sure there is no scrap or loose paper present.
Reinstall any printer parts you removed and turn the printer on.
Let it cycle through and test to make sure the paper has cleared.
Recurring Paper Jam problems? Time To Change Some Printer Parts
If the printer reports a paper jam after going through the steps above, your printer may have a hardware problem that is causing the issues. A malfunctioning roller or parts in the paper feed mechanism can make a printer think it has a paper jam. Learn about maintenance kits.
Printer Paper Jam Prevention
If your printer has a paper tray, do not fill the tray to the top. Overfilling the paper tray is frequently the cause of paper jams. Fig 2
Fan the paper when installing a new ream of paper. If you are loading coated paper in the optional wide LCT, it is important that you fan the sheets thoroughly. Misfeeds may occur if the paper is not fanned thoroughly. Fig 3
Many printer paper trays have adjustable mechanisms that allow different types and sizes of paper to be fed into the printer. If the slider is not properly positioned, it can cause a paper jam. Fig 4
Use quality office paper. Cheap paper or heavy, folded, labeled, and specialty paper can often cause jams. We recommend BLI certified or Colorlok brands. Learn more about paper Could Your Paper be Bad for Your Printer’s Health?
Make sure your printer paper is correctly seated into the slot or tray.
Keep laser printers in a dry indoor controlled environment and avoid humidity
Examine the printer for any debris before printing. Previous paper jams, torn paper, paper dust, printing labels or other foreign objects in the printer can cause reoccurring jams.
Solving the following laser printer issues;
Paper jams Removal
Clearing paper jams
Paper jam at fuser
Fuser paper jam
Remove paper jam
13 error code
13 paper jam
13.20
13.02
13.1
Paper jam in printer but no paper
How to remove paper jam from hp laserjet printer
How to prevent paper jam in printer
How to remove paper jam from hp printer
Paper keeps jamming in printer
Other Helpful Laser Printer Service Technical Support Resources
Metrofuser is a leading global innovator, manufacturer of printer parts, equipment, diagnostics, repair information and systems solutions for professional users performing critical tasks. Products and services include hp printer parts, printers, and printer repair training. Parts include hp printer parts such as printer fusers, printer maintenance kits, and other hp printer replacement parts. The company's, customers include office equipment dealerships, online retailers, repair centers and MPS service providers nationwide. Metrofuser has been named to Inc. Magazine’s fastest-growing companies five consecutive years. Printer Service Advisers can be reached at 908-245-2100 or visit http://www.metrofuser.com