Printers · Repair guide

How to clear a printer paper jam

Error messagePaper jam

7 fixes, easiest first3 min readUpdated November 2026

Quick fix

Turn the printer off and unplug it, then slowly pull the jammed sheet out with both hands from the tray, rear door and under the top cover. Check for torn scraps, reload the paper neatly and turn the printer back on.

What it means

A paper jam means a sheet, or part of one, is stuck somewhere along the path the paper takes through the printer. The printer stops to protect itself until the paper is removed. If it still says paper jam with no paper visible, a small torn scrap or a sensor that still sees something is usually the cause.

Common causes

  • Too much paper in the tray, or paper guides not set to the paper edges
  • Curled, damp, creased or unsupported paper
  • A small torn scrap left behind from an earlier jam
  • Paper size or type in the settings doesn't match the paper loaded
  • Dirty or worn rollers that don't grip the paper
  • Something else in the printer, such as a paper clip or label

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

01Turn the printer off and unplug it firstEasy

  1. If your printer has a fax, send or print any faxes waiting in its memory first; on some models unplugging erases them.
  2. Press the power button to turn the printer off.
  3. Unplug the power cable, and any USB or network cable, so no parts move while your hands are inside.
  4. If it's a laser printer: warning, parts inside can be extremely hot. Brother suggests leaving the printer switched on for about 10 minutes so its fan can cool the inside, then turn it off and unplug it before you reach in.
  5. Never use scissors, knives or other tools to get paper out.
  6. If the paper won't come out with a gentle pull, don't force it; check the other access doors or your printer's manual.

Why it helps: It keeps your fingers away from moving and hot parts while you clear the jam.

02Pull the jammed paper out slowlyEasy

  1. Remove the loose paper from the input tray and the output tray.
  2. Find the jammed sheet. Hold it firmly with both hands.
  3. Pull it out slowly and steadily in the direction the paper normally travels through the printer, so it doesn't tear.
  4. If the sheet tears, find and remove every piece.

Why it helps: Pulling slowly with both hands removes the sheet in one piece, so no scraps are left behind.

03Check the rear door and under the top coverEasy

  1. Open the rear access door or remove the rear panel, releasing any latches first, and remove any paper caught in the rollers.
  2. If your printer has a two-sided printing unit, check there as well, using the manual for your model.
  3. Lift the top cover and look in the cartridge area. On inkjets, do not touch the print head nozzles or the cartridge's copper-colored contacts.
  4. On laser printers, if the manual says to remove the toner cartridge or drum to reach the jam, do so carefully and set it on a flat surface.
  5. Close every door and cover firmly.

Why it helps: Jams often hide out of sight at the back or inside the printer, not where the paper goes in.

04If it says paper jam but no paper is stuck, look for scrapsEasy

  1. With the printer still unplugged, shine a flashlight into the input tray slot, the rear door and under the top cover.
  2. Look for small torn pieces of paper, labels, sticky notes or paper clips.
  3. Gently turn any rollers you can reach by hand to check they move freely and nothing is caught.
  4. Make sure every door, tray and cover is fully closed, since an open door can also stop the printer.
  5. Remove anything you find with your fingers, never with tools.

Why it helps: Even a tiny scrap can keep the jam sensor triggered, so the error stays after the main sheet is gone.

05Clean the paper rollersEasy

  1. Keep the printer unplugged.
  2. Lightly dampen a lint-free cloth with water and wring it out well.
  3. Wipe the rubber rollers you can reach, turning them to clean all the way round.
  4. Do not use alcohol or cleaners unless your printer's manual says it's OK.
  5. Let the rollers dry before you print.

Why it helps: Dust and paper fibers make rollers slip, which causes paper to feed crooked and jam.

06Reload the paper correctlyEasy

  1. Use flat, dry paper with no curls, folds or torn edges.
  2. Fan the stack before loading so the sheets don't stick together.
  3. Don't fill the tray above its maximum mark.
  4. Slide the paper guides so they touch the edges of the stack without bending it.
  5. Check that the paper size and type set on the printer and in the print window match the paper loaded.

Why it helps: Most jams come from overfilled trays, loose guides or the wrong paper setting.

07Turn the printer back on and clear the errorEasy

  1. Plug the printer back in and turn it on. Let it finish starting up.
  2. If the error message stays on the screen, follow its prompt or press OK if your printer asks you to.
  3. On Windows, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, choose Open print queue and cancel any jobs that failed.
  4. Print a test page.

Why it helps: The printer checks its paper path on startup, and failed jobs can otherwise block new ones.

Check it's fixed

  • The paper jam message is gone from the printer and computer.
  • A test page and a few normal pages feed and print without jamming.
  • No new error lights or messages appear.

When to get help

If the jam message stays with no paper anywhere, the printer jams on every page, you hear grinding, or the paper is stuck too deep to reach without force, stop and contact the printer maker's support or a repair shop.

Questions

Why does my printer say paper jam when there is no paper?

A small torn scrap, a label or a paper clip is often still inside, or a door is not fully closed. Unplug the printer, check every access point with a flashlight, and turn it back on.

Is it safe to pull jammed paper out?

Yes, if the printer is off and unplugged and you pull slowly with both hands. On laser printers, let the inside cool first, since the fuser can be very hot.

Why does my printer keep jamming?

The usual reasons are an overfilled tray, guides not touching the paper, curled or damp paper, or dirty rollers. Reload fresh paper neatly and clean the rollers.

Do I need to cancel my print job after a paper jam?

Often the printer continues once the jam is cleared. If nothing prints, cancel the job in the print queue and send it again.

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