Paper jam: how to clear it safely
Paper stuck inside your printer? Learn where jams hide, how to pull paper out without tearing it, and how to stop jams from coming back.
Quick fix
Turn the printer off and unplug it. Find the edge of the stuck sheet, hold it with both hands and pull slowly and evenly in the direction the paper normally travels. Check the input tray, the rear access door and, on lasers, the toner area, and make sure no torn scraps are left before you power on again.
Didn’t work? Go to the full stepsYou might see
- The printer stops mid-page and shows a paper jam message
- A sheet is visibly stuck in the tray, output slot or rear
- Paper comes out crumpled or folded like an accordion
- The printer keeps jamming at the same point
Usually caused by
- Overfilled tray or loose paper guides
- Curled, damp, creased or too-thick paper
- Mixed paper types or sizes in one tray
- Scraps of torn paper left from an earlier jam
- Dirty or worn rollers
Safety first. Power off and unplug before reaching in, let a laser printer cool for at least 15 minutes because the fuser can burn, and never use scissors, knives or other sharp tools to dig out paper.
Step-by-step fix
Work through the steps in order and check each one off. Most people are printing again before the last step.
Any inkjet or laser printer
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Power off and unplug
Switch the printer off with its power button, then unplug it. This stops the rollers and print head from moving while your hands are inside.
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Pull from the tray side
Remove the input tray, or open the feed cover, and look for a half-fed sheet. Grip it with both hands near the edges and pull slowly and steadily; yanking or pulling at an angle tears it and leaves pieces behind.
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Check the rear door and duplex unit
Many printers have a rear access door or removable duplex unit. Open or remove it, pull out any paper in the direction it was traveling, then refit it until it clicks.
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Check the cartridge area
On inkjets, open the main cover and look under the print head carriage, gently sliding it aside by hand if paper is trapped beneath. On lasers, remove the toner cartridge or drum and pull out any paper from the cavity, keeping clear of the fuser at the back.
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Hunt for scraps
Shine a flashlight into every opening, because even a small torn corner can cause repeat jams. Lay the torn pieces together to check the whole sheet is out.
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Reload the paper properly
Fan the stack, tap it square and load it below the tray's maximum mark, with the guides lightly touching the edges. Don't mix sizes or types in one tray, then close every door firmly, plug in and power on.
Windows 11 / 10
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Restart or cancel the stuck job
After clearing the jam, the printer may resume by itself or ask you to press OK on its panel. If nothing happens, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your printer, click Open print queue (Open queue on Windows 10), and cancel or restart the job.
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Check paper size and tray
In the app's print dialog or Printing preferences, make sure the paper size and source tray match what's loaded. Letter sent to an A4 tray, or a job sent to an empty tray, can cause jams or size errors.
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Set the right type for special paper
For card, labels or envelopes, choose the matching paper type and use the rear or manual feed if your printer has one, as it gives thick media a straighter path.
macOS
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Resume the print queue
Open the printer's queue from its icon in the Dock or from System Settings > Printers & Scanners. If the printer shows as paused, click Resume; delete and resend the job if pages are missing.
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Match paper size and source
In the print dialog, check Paper Size matches the loaded paper, and in Media & Quality set Feed from to the tray you filled.
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Set the media type for special paper
For card, labels or envelopes, choose the matching media type in Media & Quality and use the manual or rear feed if your printer has one.
Did this fix it?
Good. To confirm everything is healthy, print a test page. It takes a minute and shows any quality problems early.
Try these next
Still stuck? The troubleshooter asks a few questions and narrows it down. If your printer is under warranty, the manufacturer can repair or replace it at no cost. Find their official support site on our brand pages.
Common questions
Which way should I pull jammed paper?
In the direction it normally travels whenever you can. Pulling backward against the rollers is more likely to tear the sheet or damage the mechanism.
Why does my printer jam with envelopes and card?
Thick media needs the right paper type setting and often the rear or manual feed, which gives a straighter path. Check the maximum paper weight in your manual.