How to Prevent the Paper Jammed
When you’ve struggled through a paper jam, you’ll probably want to prevent that problem from happening again. There’s no foolproof way to prevent this issue, but some tips could be helpful:
- Don’t overload the printer with paper. Many printers hold 100 sheets, while some have room for a full ream (500 sheets) or more. On the other hand, some paper trays have a maximum of just 50 pages. If you’re not sure, just check it isn’t a tight fit, or check the manual to find out how many sheets you can load at once.
- Loosen a stack of paper before loading it into the printer. Fanning or riffling the pages will help remove static that causes the paper to stick together.
- Use the right paper for the tray and for your printer. If your printer has more than one input tray, each will have recommendations for the size, type, and thickness of paper. Make sure you aren’t loading paper that’s incompatible.
- Align the edges of the paper and insert it carefully into the printer. Paper enters the printer on rollers, so if it starts at an angle, it will stay crooked throughout the printing process. That means your document will be creased if it passes through, or it could become jammed.
- Store paper in a cool, dry place to keep it fresh, straight, and clean.
- If you want to refill the paper tray before it’s empty, remove the remaining paper first. A change in paper type or freshness can cause jams.
- Contact the manufacturer if paper jams occur frequently despite following these tips. Most printers have a one-year warranty. Even if your printer is past that date, the manufacturer might be able to help with specific tips for your model or direct you to get maintenance or repairs to solve this ongoing problem.