Printers are never silent, so the first job is telling ordinary mechanical sounds from those that signal trouble. Inkjets click and whir while they clean and prime their printheads, and laser printers hum and rattle softly as they warm up. A harsh grind, a repeated loud click or a knocking sound, especially with an error on the screen, means something is blocked or slipping. This guide helps you tell the difference, then find foreign objects, leftover packing and misplaced parts without forcing anything that could strip a gear.
What you might be seeing
- A loud grinding sound at start-up or while printing
- Repeated clicking alongside a jam or carriage error
- The carriage knocks against one side
- Clicking or grinding from the scanner unit
Common causes
- Normal servicing
- Inkjets regularly clean and prime their printheads, clicking and whirring at start-up and after idle periods.
- Packing material or locks
- Tape, foam or a transport lock left from shipping can block moving parts.
- Foreign objects
- Paper clips, pen caps, coins and torn paper fall into the paper path or carriage area.
- Parts not seated
- A cartridge, toner or drum sitting slightly high can rub or make gears skip.
- Worn or stripped gears
- Grinding that continues once everything is clear can mean a damaged gear that needs service.
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.
Disconnect power before reaching inside, allow a laser printer's fuser to cool first, and never force a stuck carriage or gear.
Listen for when the noise happens
Timing narrows the cause. Clicks for a minute or two after power-on or after changing ink are usually normal servicing. Noise only while paper moves points to the paper path. A grind as the carriage moves, or as the scan head travels under the glass, points to that part. If an error message or flashing light accompanies the sound, write it down.
Remove all packing material
On a new or recently moved printer, open every door, the scanner lid and the paper trays, and look for colored tape, foam blocks, plastic clips and cardboard inserts, including around the cartridge area. Some flatbed scanners have a transport lock switch on the side or underneath; the setup guide shows whether yours does and how to release it. Close everything and power on again.
Search for foreign objects
Switch the printer off and unplug it; on a laser printer, also give the fuser about 30 minutes to cool. Remove the trays, open all access doors, and shine a flashlight along the paper path and under the carriage. Lift out anything that doesn't belong, including scraps of paper, by hand rather than with tools that could scratch rollers. Don't turn an inkjet upside down, as ink can spill.
Check the carriage path on an inkjet
With the power still disconnected, open the cartridge access door and look along the carriage rail for torn paper or small objects. If the user guide says the carriage can be moved by hand while the printer is off, slide it gently; it should glide without catching. Never force it, and never oil the rail or touch the encoder strip, the thin clear band running behind the carriage.
Reseat cartridges, toner and drum
Remove each cartridge, or the toner and drum unit, and reinstall it, pressing until it clicks or locks as the user guide describes. A part sitting slightly high can rub against moving parts or stall the carriage. On laser printers, confirm the toner and drum are fully engaged before closing the cover, and shut the cover firmly with both hands.
Check trays and paper
Grinding during feeding often comes from a tray that isn't fully home, an overfilled tray, or paper heavier than the tray supports. Pull the tray out, straighten any bent guides, load a modest stack of plain paper and push it in until it stops. Print one page and listen. If the noise only happens with card or thick media, use the rear or manual feed if your printer has one.
Stop before the damage spreads
If a loud grind continues after the printer is clear and every part is seated, switch it off and leave it off. Running with a slipping or stripped gear can damage other parts and turn an inexpensive repair into a costly one. Record a short phone video of the sound, note any error shown, and check the warranty before arranging service.
How to keep it from happening again
- Keep clips, pens and staples away from the paper trays
- Remove all packing material before first use or after a move
- Load only paper the tray is rated for
- Close doors gently and make sure cartridges click home
Common questions
Why does my inkjet make noise when nobody is printing?
Inkjets run automatic maintenance to keep the printhead moist and clear, often after sitting idle or soon after power-on. These cycles click and whir briefly and are normal. Switching off with the printer's own button, not at the outlet, lets it cap the printhead before power is removed.
Is clicking during scanning normal?
A short click as the scan head starts and stops is normal. Continuous clicking or grinding while the head tries to move suggests a transport lock is engaged, something heavy is pressing on the lid, or the drive belt is slipping. Check for a lock and clear the lid first.
Should I oil a noisy printer?
No. Oil and grease attract paper dust and ink mist, and lubricant on rollers, the rail or the encoder strip causes feeding and print-quality faults. Printers that need lubrication receive the correct material during professional service, so leave that part to a repair visit.
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.