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Clear a Printer Paper Jam


If you try to print a document and it jams your printer then these instructions will show and explain to you how to fix that problem. I have tried to write generic instructions that should work on most, if not all, printers. However, the images shown are from an HP Laserjet 1200 so you may need to adapt the images to fit your situation.

1. Unplug the Printer
Unplug
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    You can either unplug the cord from the printer or the printer cord from the socket / surge protector.

 

2. Open the Printer's Front Panel
Front Panel
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    All printers are different, but the main access to the printer is usually from the front. Often there are tabs you need to pull firmly on, and other times there will be a latch or a button.

 

3. Remove the Printer's Ink / Toner
Remove Toner
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    When you open the printer you may need to remove the ink / toner. Generally with ink printers you can skip this test, but for most LASER printers you will need to remove the toner in order to see behind it.

 

4. Remove the Paper Jam (from the front)
Remove Paper
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    At this point you may be able to see the cause of the printer jam. If there's a piece of paper within your reach try to free it. Most printers hold their paper very firmly, so you may need to work at it a bit or you may feel like you need more leverage. If you can't remove the paper then continue onto the next step.

 

5. Open the Printer's Rear Panel  
Rear Panel
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    Many printers are accessible in multiple locations. The two most standard access ports are from the front and from the rear. In this particular printer there is a door on the rear also. The rear door is very common with LASER printers. Try to find the way to open a door along a seam. If you can't find a way to open it then look for anything on the side, on the top, in the paper tray or underneath the printer. Some printers require that you open a different access port before you can open other access ports. So, you may need to release another door before the door in question will open.

 

6. Remove the Paper Jam
Remove Paper
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    Typically there will be nothing in the way from the rear access bay. You often can see the paper curl around a roller from this location and in most printers this is the easiest location to remove the jam from. Try to remove the top of the sheet from the feeder and try to remove the bottom of the sheet from the feeder. Once you have a firm hold on it slowly try to pull the paper out.

 

7. Examine the Front
Inspect Front
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    Check the front of the printer for any other feeding problems that could cause more issues. Remove any other sheets that you see caught in there.

 

8. Examine the Rear
Inspect Rear
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    Check the rear of the printer for any other feeding problems that could cause more issues. Remove any other sheets that you see caught in there.

 

9. Open the Printer's Queue
Task Tray - Print Queue
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    On the computer that had the printing problem check in the task tray, which is by default on the bottom right of the screen, for the printer queue icon. It will typically be a printer icon and it will most likely have a question mark over the icon that signifies that there's a problem. Double click that icon to open the printer queue. If there's a double arrow mark you may need to click it in order to see the icon.

 

10. Contents of Printer Queue
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    If there is anything listed in the print queue then you will need to clear them from the list. Pay special attention to the status column as it will give a hint as to what caused the problem, but often the errors will be too generic to be of much help.

 

11. Clear Printer's Queue
Cancel All Documents
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    From the print queue access the "Printer" dropdown menu and select the option for "Cancel All Documents". This will attempt to remove all failed items from the print queue.

 

12. Plug in the Printer
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    At this point you should plug the printer back into the wall socket / surge protector. Give the printer a few moments to warm up and initialize.

 

13. Online Verification
Offline Mode
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    Sometimes when a printer fails a print job or when a printer is disconnected from it, the computer will set the printer into "Offline Mode". To check if this is the case access the "Printer" dropdown and make sure that there is not a check mark next to "Use Printer Offline". If there is a check mark next to it then select that option to deselect it.

 

14. Try to Print Again
Print Again
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    Your printer should be ready to use. Check the print queue to make sure it is empty. If there is still an item in the print queue then you may need to restart your computer to properly flush the queue.

    If the printer jams again then you should attempt a different topic of a different type, after you've recleared the jam. If you can't determine the underlying cause of the printer jams then you may need to have your printer serviced.

      
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CLAS Computer Support Group
215 Glenbrook Road, CLAS Building
Unit 4158, Suite 345
Storrs, CT 06269-4158
Phone: 860-486-0478
geoffrey.meigs@uconn.edu