How to Clear a Printer Paper Jam Safely

01Quick answer

To clear a printer paper jam, switch the printer off, open only the doors and trays your manual shows for jams, and pull the paper out slowly in the direction it normally travels, using both hands. Check for small torn pieces, close everything, then switch back on. If the printer still says “paper jam” with no paper inside, a scrap or a misplaced tray is usually to blame. This guide is for owners of any home inkjet or laser printer.

02Before you start

• Read the message. Many printers show where the jam is, such as the input tray, the back door or inside the front cover.
• Find your model’s jam diagram. It may be printed inside the covers, shown on the printer’s screen, or in the manual on the manufacturer’s website.
• Switch the printer off before reaching in. This stops parts moving and, on laser printers, lets the hot fuser cool down.
• Never use scissors, tweezers or other tools inside the printer, and don’t remove screws or panels that the manual doesn’t tell users to open.

03Why this happens

Usually simple to fix:

• Paper loaded unevenly, overfilled, or with the guides too loose or too tight.
• Damp, curled, creased or very thin paper.
• Mixing different paper types or sizes in one tray.
• A small torn piece left behind after an earlier jam.
• Labels, envelopes or thick card fed through a tray not designed for them.

Needs the manufacturer or a repair service:

• Paper is stuck in a part of the printer you can’t reach from the user doors.
• Jams happen with every sheet even with fresh paper loaded correctly.
• You hear grinding or clicking, or see broken plastic parts.
• Rollers that grip the paper look worn, shiny or cracked.

04Clear the jam step by step

1. Switch the printer off and unplug it. For laser printers, wait until the inside has cooled; your manual may say how long.
2. Remove the paper tray and take out the loaded paper. Look into the tray opening with a light.
3. Pull out any visible paper slowly with both hands, in the direction it normally travels through the printer. Pulling backwards can tear it or damage rollers.

   Did it come out in one piece? If yes, go to step 5. If it tore, look for the missing piece before continuing.

4. Open the other jam-access doors shown in your manual, such as the rear door, the duplex unit or the front cover, and check each one. On laser printers, if the manual tells you to remove the toner or drum unit to reach paper, set it on a clean sheet of paper and don’t touch the drum surface.
5. Check for small scraps. Shine the light into each opening. Remove only pieces you can reach easily with your fingers.
6. Reload the paper correctly. Fan a fresh stack, square it on a flat surface, load it below the tray’s maximum line and slide the guides so they just touch the edges.
7. Close all doors, reconnect power and switch on. The printer may run a short check. Print a test page.

   Did the message clear? If yes, you’re done. If it still reports a jam, repeat steps 1 to 5 once, looking especially for scraps near the rollers.

05Prevent the next jam

1. Keep paper in its wrapper until you use it, and store it flat in a dry place.
2. Use paper of the weight and type your printer supports, which the manual lists.
3. Don’t add paper to a tray while the printer is printing.
4. Use the tray your manual recommends for envelopes, labels and card.
5. If your printer’s menu offers a roller cleaning routine, run it occasionally as the manual describes.

06Common mistakes to avoid

• Yanking paper out quickly or against the direction of travel.
• Reaching inside a laser printer straight after a long print run, before it has cooled.
• Using tools or removing panels that aren’t meant for users.
• Overfilling the tray to save time.
• Ignoring a recurring jam in the same place, which often points to worn rollers.

07If it still doesn’t work

If the printer still reports a jam when you can see no paper anywhere, or jams in the same spot every time, stop troubleshooting at home. Paper stuck deep inside, damaged rollers or a faulty sensor need the manufacturer’s support or a qualified printer repair service. Have the model name, serial number and the exact message ready.

If the jam is cleared but the printer now shows as unavailable, see our printer offline guide. If pages come out but look faint or blank, see our guide to blank or faded pages.

08The short version

Switch off, let laser printers cool, open only the doors your manual shows and pull paper out slowly in its normal direction. Check for scraps, reload a neat stack and test. Persistent jams with no visible paper need the manufacturer’s support.

09FAQ

Why does my printer say paper jam when there’s no paper?

A small torn scrap, a tray that isn’t pushed fully in, or a door not quite closed can all trigger the message. Check each access door with a light and reseat the tray. If the message stays, the printer may need servicing.

Can I use tweezers to get paper out of a printer?

It’s best not to. Metal tools can scratch rollers, damage sensors or, in a laser printer, touch hot parts. If you can’t reach a piece with your fingers through the user doors, contact the manufacturer’s support.

Why does paper keep jamming in my printer?

Repeated jams usually come from damp or curled paper, an overfilled tray, loose paper guides or mixed paper types. If those are fine, the paper rollers may be worn and need professional attention.

Is it safe to print right after clearing a jam?

Yes, once every scrap is removed, the doors are closed and the printer has finished its start-up check. Print a single test page first to confirm the paper path is clear.