Modern printers and copiers automatically draw their own paper from the tray, allowing them to print continuously as long as everything’s working properly. A jam occurs when a sheet of paper loads incorrectly and gets stuck, holding up the printing process. This interrupts your company’s workflow, and it can be difficult to remove the trapped paper from your office equipment, so it makes more sense to prevent paper jams by following these rules.

How to Minimize the Risk of Paper Jams in Your Printer

1. Load Paper Correctly

Your printer’s manual lists the correct paper sizes and weights for your equipment; it’s important to only use sheets that fit those specifications since paper that’s too big could get stuck in the machine. Also, ensure the paper isn’t a mix of different types since the printer can’t adjust to different weights and sizes in the middle of a print job. 

It’s crucial to ensure that staples don’t go through the printer since the metal can cause the paper to curl in the machine. When you load the tray, don’t exceed the recommended stack size or the equipment could pull too many sheets from the pile.

2. Clean the Rollers

The rollers are the parts of your printer that grab the paper and guide it through the machine. When they’re gummed up with dust and buildup, they slide on the paper instead of gripping, and the paper doesn’t move correctly. 

The rollers will need thorough cleaning about every three or four months. To do this, unplug the printer, and rub the component with a lint-free cloth that’s dampened with distilled water or rubbing alcohol. Ensure the rollers are completely dry before using the printer again, or the ink could run.

3. Check the Settings

To accommodate the thicknesses and weights of different printing materials, like paper, cardstock, and label sheets, your printer will adjust certain moving parts in its interior. This is controlled from the machine’s paper settings menu. Always change the features when adding a new material to print on, and if you’re experiencing frequent jams, check to make sure the right settings have been selected.

If you’re having difficulty with paper jams, contact Bluegrass Office Systems Inc. in Lexington for printer repairs. Serving the state of Kentucky for 40 years, this locally owned company has a representative constantly on call during business hours to answer all your questions. To schedule a visit, call (859) 293-0435 or reach out online.