How to Fix Paper Jams in Your Inkjet Printer (and Stop Them Coming Back)

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Quick answer

Most inkjet paper jams come from one of three things: too much paper in the tray, paper that's curled or damp, or a small scrap stuck in the rollers. To clear a jam, power the printer off, gently pull jammed paper out in the direction it normally feeds (never backwards), check for torn pieces, then reload a smaller stack of fresh, flat 20–24 lb paper. If jams keep happening, the rollers usually need a wipe with a damp lint-free cloth.

Why inkjets jam in the first place

Inkjet printers grab one sheet at a time from the top (or bottom) of the stack using rubber pickup rollers. Anything that disrupts that grab — dust on the roller, paper that's too thick, paper that's curled, two sheets sticking together, a foreign object — will cause a misfeed. The printer either pulls in nothing (and throws a "load paper" error) or pulls in two sheets and jams.

Step 1: Power off before you touch anything

This matters. If you yank paper while the carriage is mid-print, you can:

• Snap the drive belt
• Tear the paper inside the rollers (worst case)
• Get ink on your hands and inside the printer

Press the power button, wait for the carriage to park, then unplug the printer.

Step 2: Remove jammed paper the right way

Open the back access door if your printer has one (most HP, Canon, Epson and Brother inkjets do). Pulling from the back is almost always easier than pulling from the front because you're going with the paper path.

Use both hands. Pull slowly and evenly. If the paper tears, stop — you'll need to fish out the remaining piece, because even a 1-inch scrap will jam the next sheet.

Step 3: Check for torn pieces and foreign objects

Shine a flashlight into the paper path. Look for:

• Small white scraps of paper
• Staples or paper clips (very common in home offices)
• Photo paper backing strips
• Sticker residue from label sheets

Tweezers help. Don't use anything metal that could scratch the rollers.

Step 4: Reload paper correctly

Most jams happen at reload, not during printing. Three rules:

1. Fan the stack first. Hold one edge, flex the other, and let the sheets separate. This breaks the static cling that makes two sheets feed at once.
2. Don't overfill. The tray has a max-fill line for a reason. A half-full tray jams less than a packed one.
3. Square the stack against the guides. If the side guides are loose, paper skews and jams. If they're too tight, paper buckles and jams. Snug is right.

Step 5: Clean the pickup rollers

If you've cleared the jam and it happens again on the next print job, the rollers are probably glazed with paper dust. Here's the fix:

• Power off and unplug the printer
• Open the access door so you can see the rubber rollers
• Dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water (not tap, not rubbing alcohol)
• Wipe each roller while rotating it with your finger
• Let everything dry for 10 minutes before powering on

This single trick fixes maybe half of all "my printer keeps jamming" complaints we hear.

Common causes you can prevent

Paper that's been sitting in a humid room

Paper absorbs moisture. Damp paper curls, sticks together, and jams constantly. Store reams flat, sealed, in a dry cupboard. If your paper feels wavy, it's done — buy fresh.

Paper that's too heavy for the tray

Most inkjets handle up to about 80 lb cover (cardstock). Try to feed 110 lb cardstock through a tray rated for 24 lb and you will jam. Use the rear/manual feed slot for anything over 60 lb cover.

Paper that's too light

16 lb tracing-style paper or very thin sheets buckle inside the rollers. Stick to 20–24 lb for everyday printing.

Curled paper

If the leading edge curls up, it'll catch on the printhead. Flatten the stack under a heavy book overnight, or just buy a fresh ream.

Recommended fresh paper to break the jam cycle

Sometimes the cheapest fix is just a new ream of well-made paper. These are the ones we keep on hand:

• HP Printer Paper, 20 lb, 500 sheets — reliable everyday paper that runs cleanly through nearly any inkjet. Check price on Amazon.
• Hammermill Premium Multipurpose, 24 lb — a touch heavier and stiffer, less prone to curl. Check price on Amazon.

When to give up and call it

If you've cleared paper, cleaned rollers, swapped to fresh paper and it still jams every few pages, the pickup roller itself may be worn flat. Replacement rollers for most HP, Canon and Brother models cost $10–20 on Amazon and take about 15 minutes to swap. Search "[your printer model] pickup roller" to find the right part.

If the printer is more than 5 years old and out of warranty, honestly, it may be time. A new entry-level inkjet costs less than the service call.

FAQ

Why does my printer say there's a jam when there's no paper stuck?

A torn scrap is hiding inside the rollers, or the paper-out sensor is dirty. Open every access door, look carefully with a flashlight, and gently wipe the small plastic sensor flag near the input tray.

Can I use compressed air to clean my printer?

Lightly, on the outside. Don't blast compressed air directly onto the printhead or into the paper path — you'll push dust further in and can damage the encoder strip.

Does paper weight really matter for jams?

Yes. Heavier than spec = jams in the rollers. Lighter than spec = buckled inside the printer. Stick to 20–24 lb for everyday work and you'll avoid most issues.

Need a reliable inkjet ream? Browse our printer paper collection or stock up on fresh ink cartridges while you're at it.