Common causes of paper jams
| Cause | Sign | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Damp or curled paper | Jams and creased sheets, worse in monsoon | Use a fresh ream; keep reams sealed |
| Overfilled tray | Jams at pickup, multiple sheets fed | Load below the max line |
| Loose paper guides | Skewed sheets | Set guides to just touch the stack |
| Wrong media or setting | Jams with labels, card or envelopes | Use the bypass tray and set the paper type |
| Worn rollers | Misfeeds, no paper picked up, double feeds | Replace rollers (service) |
| Torn scrap inside | Jams immediately after clearing | Find and remove the fragment |
| Fuser wear | Jams at the exit, paper wrapped or creased | Service the fuser |
How to clear a jam safely
- Follow the machine's on-screen guide; it shows which doors to open.
- Switch off if the manual says so. The fuser area is hot.
- Pull paper slowly in the direction it travels, with both hands, to avoid tearing it.
- Check for torn fragments, especially around rollers.
- Close all doors fully and let the machine reset.
How to prevent jams
- Keep paper in its wrapper until use, off the floor, away from damp walls.
- Fan the stack before loading to separate sheets.
- Use paper within the machine's specified weight. Copier paper suits most machines. See papers.
- Don't mix paper types in one tray.
- Book preventive maintenance so rollers are replaced before they slip. See the maintenance guide.
Questions about your own machine? Send the model and a photo, and the team in Kacheripady will reply.
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