My Printer Won't Stop Feeding Paper

A corrupted driver can cause printer problems.

Problems with nonstop feeding of paper can be very annoying and very costly. Once the paper has gone through the printer once, it is more likely to jam and cause other problems if you try to feed it back through. That means that constant feeding could potentially cost you a lot of money, but there are some ways you can address the problem and prevent it from happening.

Driver Issues

One of the most common causes of nonstop feeding is a problem with the driver. If the driver you are using is not the right one for the printer, the software could send bad messages to the printer and cause feed problems. The same is true if the print driver is corrupted. If you notice a new problem with nonstop feeding, your first step should be to download the most recent printer driver from the manufacturer's website. Make sure you download and install the proper driver for your operating system.

Paper Problems

Paper quality can vary widely as can a particular printer's sensitivity to quality issues. Some printers are very sensitive to things like moisture in the paper or inconsistent quality, and they will begin to jam and display erratic behavior if there are any problems at all. If you experience frequent problems with nonstop feeding or paper jams, try changing the brand of paper you use and see if that resolves the problem.

Print Rollers

Worn paper rollers can cause problems with paper feeding, so you should check the condition of those rollers any time the printer misbehaves. Pull all of the paper out of the input tray, then reach up and feel the rollers. The rollers should have a rough texture, which allows them to grasp the paper and pull it through. If the rollers feel smooth they should be replaced as soon as possible. Refer to your printer's manual for information on how to order, and how to install, those replacement rollers.

Printer Reset

Often the easiest way to stop the continuous feeding of paper is to reset the printer. To reset the printer, first push the stop or power button depending on the make and model of the printer. The printer may continue to feed paper even after you push the stop button or attempt to power the printer off. If so, carefully pull all the remaining paper out of the tray. After the printer feeds the last available piece of paper, pull the power cord to force the printer to shut down. Allow the printer to remain unplugged for at least 10 minutes to clear any settings and memory, then turn the printer back on and retry your print job.