A genuine paper jam is usually easy to fix, but how you remove the sheet matters. Yanking it can tear the paper and leave fragments behind, bend sensor flags or strip roller gears. Laser printers add a burn risk because the fuser runs very hot. This guide covers what to do before you open anything, how to pull paper so it comes out in one piece, where to look on inkjet and laser models, and how to check the printer afterward so the next page does not jam.
What you might be seeing
- A sheet is visibly stuck in the tray, output slot or under a cover
- A page came out partly printed and crumpled
- The printer stopped mid-page with a jam message or blinking light
Common causes
- Overloaded or loose stack
- Too many sheets, or guides left loose, let paper enter at an angle and fold.
- Damp or curled paper
- Paper that has absorbed moisture or has bent corners buckles in the paper path.
- Unsupported media
- Paper heavier, thinner or glossier than the tray is rated for often stalls partway through.
- Mixed paper in one tray
- Different sizes or weights in the same stack feed unevenly and catch on each other.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order and test a print after each one. Most people are done within the first few steps.
Do not use scissors, tweezers, pliers or other tools to grab jammed paper, as they can scratch rollers and the laser drum. Keep your hands away from a laser printer's fuser until it has cooled for about 30 minutes.
Cancel the job and read the jam location
Press Cancel on the control panel, or open the print queue on your computer and cancel the job, so the printer does not try to feed another sheet while you work. Wait until the motors fall silent. Many control panels show an animation or message pointing to the jam location, which tells you which door gives the easiest access before you open anything.
Switch off, unplug and let a laser cool
Turn the printer off and unplug the power cord before reaching inside. With an inkjet, you can start as soon as it is unplugged. With a laser printer, the fuser near the output area can be hot enough to burn, so wait about 30 minutes before touching anything at the back or top of the paper path.
Pull the sheet slowly with both hands
Find the end of the sheet that sticks out the most and grip it with both hands near the corners. Pull slowly and steadily, ideally in the direction paper normally travels, keeping the pressure even across the width so the sheet does not tear. If it resists, stop and try reaching the other end through a different door rather than pulling harder against the rollers.
Check each jam point in order
Work from the input side inward: the tray and the cavity behind it, then the carriage or cartridge area, then the rear door or duplex unit, then the output slot. On an inkjet, slide the carriage aside gently if paper is trapped beneath it. On a laser, remove the toner or drum assembly to reach the registration area, and if your model has colored fuser release levers, use them to loosen the sheet, then return them.
Account for every torn piece
If the sheet ripped, gather all the pieces and fit them together on a table. A missing corner or strip is still inside and will cause another jam later. Use a flashlight along the stretch of the path where the gap should be. Small scraps often cling to the underside of rollers, so remove the tray fully to look up into the feed area.
Reload the paper properly
Take the remaining paper out of the tray, discard any wrinkled or torn sheets, and fan the rest to separate them. Tap the stack square on a flat surface, then load it below the maximum fill mark. Slide the guides until they touch the stack without bending it. Confirm the paper size and type set on the control panel match what you loaded.
Print a test page and watch the feed
Plug the printer in, turn it on and let it finish starting up. In Windows 11, the Print test page button is on the printer's page under Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners; you can also print a report from the control panel. Watch and listen as the sheet feeds. If it jams again at the same spot, a leftover scrap or a worn roller is the likely cause.
How to keep it from happening again
- Load only one size and type of paper per tray
- Keep the stack below the maximum fill line
- Store opened paper flat in its wrapper
- Empty the output tray before long jobs
Common questions
Should I pull jammed paper forward or backward?
Pull it the way it normally travels whenever you can, because the rollers and gears are built to turn in that direction. If the sheet has barely entered the printer, easing it back out of the tray is fine. Avoid pulling sideways or at an angle, which tears paper and leaves fragments behind.
What should I do if I get toner on my hands or clothes?
Toner is a fine, dry powder. Shake or brush off as much as possible, then wash with cold water and soap. Hot water can make toner bond to fabric, so avoid it until the toner is gone. Work gently rather than blowing on it, so you do not breathe in the dust.
Why does my printer jam more in humid weather?
Paper absorbs moisture from the air, which makes it curl and stick together. Curled sheets catch on guides and rollers. Keep paper sealed in its wrapper, store it off the floor and away from windows, and load only what you expect to use within a day or two.
This guide is general information written for common home and office printers. Menus and button names vary between models, so check your printer’s manual where a step differs. Printer Problems Solved is independent and not affiliated with any printer manufacturer. See our disclaimer.