Cause of a Paper Jam in a Dot Matrix Printer
Dot matrix printers use reams of paper that are all attached to one another. The side edges of the printer paper have a series of holes that are on a tab that can be torn away once the pages have been printed. Paper in a dot matrix printer feeds through the printer with the help of two tractor feeds. The tractor feeds each have a wheel with raised cones that fix into the holes on the side of the printer paper. A plastic bracket snaps onto the top of the tractor feed wheels, making sure the paper stays on the wheels.
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Paper Lodge
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An extremely common source of paper jams occurs when the paper has jammed in the recent past. Pieces of the jammed paper may tear off and become lodged underneath the feed wheels. The tiny piece of paper eventually will cause the feed wheels to completely stop, creating a paper jam. It is also common for pages of labels to cause paper jams when a label peels off a page and becomes lodged under the feed wheels. Stuck papers can be extracted with a paperclip.
Paper Window
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Dot matrix printers feed paper from the front of the machine out through the top. A paper window is located on the top of the printer, which is made of a hinged piece of clear plastic. The paper window is to remain closed while the printer is not in use. This will help keep dust and other debris from collecting on the parts inside the printer. If the paper window is left closed while the printer is operating it will cause a backup of paper since it cannot exit out the top of the printer, resulting in a paper jam.
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Tractor Feed Failure
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Sometimes the tractor feeds wear out on a dot matrix printer. Before you make this conclusion, though, check to make sure the tractor feeds have been locked down onto the feed wheels. It is a common mistake for users to forget to snap the tractor feed brackets down, which will cause the paper to not feed properly through the printer and jam. Sometimes, though, the tractor feeds fail from use. The failure could be a worn gear or the tractor feed belt that drives both tractor feeds in the printer. A service shop can easily fix either issue so paper will move through the printer again.
Printer Head Rod
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Over the life of a dot matrix printer, dust and other debris can gather on some of the exposed components. If enough buildup accumulates on the printer head moving rod it can be enough to cause a paper jam. With the printer head not moving properly, it can catch on the paper and cause it to go in the wrong direction, making it jam the entire printer. You can try cleaning the printer head moving rod or take it to a service shop for a professional cleaning. If you are going to clean the printer yourself, be extremely careful not to touch the printer head, even after the machine has been unplugged. Touching the printer head can result in an electrical shock.
Printhead Gap
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Like all mechanical devices, a dot matrix printer requires parts to be adjusted as they come loose over time. A less common source of paper jams is an improper print head gap in the machine. Near the print head is a plastic adjustment knob. Turn the knob clockwise to tighten the print head assembly and increase the print head gap. A narrow print head gap can cause paper to become stuck and completely stop the printing process.
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References
- Photo Credit Copy machine drawres image by TekinT from Fotolia.com
