How to Clear a Paper Jam in a Laser Printer

Flashing stall lights and the sound of your printer grinding indicate a paper jam. When you experience a paper jam, take a deep breath. It can be frustrating but it's solvable. Just follow these directions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Printer
• Paper

What to Do

1. Remove all the paper from the in and out trays. There should be paper visible except for whatever is jammed.
2. Locate the jammed paper and try removing by gently pulling on it.
3. Press the flashing warning button if the jam doesn't clear. This will start the rotors moving and may facilitate the paper removal.
4. Turn off the printer if the paper is still stuck and try pulling it out again. When the printer is turned off you can pull more firmly because the printer’s gears will not work against you.
5. Remove any shreds. If your paper tears or is otherwise ripped in the process of removing the jam, make sure you’ve removed all paper remnants before you resume printing.
6. Refill the paper tray and turn your printer back on. It may go through a reset or test cycle, which can also sometimes clear remaining paper.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you’re using the correct type of paper (weight, gloss) and that your jam isn’t caused by incompatible paper.
• If a bunch of paper has been pulled through and will not come loose, select one of the sheets from the middle of the bunch and remove it first until all of them can be cleared.
• Make sure to pull in the direction in which the paper normally travels. Some printer rotors only travel in that direction and should not be forced backward.

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