Printers have become an indispensable tool in our daily office and life. However, even high-quality printers can encounter some common problems, the most common of which is paper jams. This blog will take the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M479dw printer as an example and delve into the causes, repair methods, and preventive measures for paper jams. It will help you to solve the paper jam problem quickly.
What Causes Paper Jam In Printers?
Poor Quality Printing Paper
When using poor-quality paper, the paper's surface may be uneven or have too much dust and impurities. These impurities may clog the printer's paper path during printing, resulting in a paper jam. Qualified paper should have a smooth surface, proper thickness, and uniform quality, ensuring the paper passes smoothly through the printer during printing.
The Paper Needs To Be Inserted Correctly
Paper must be placed correctly as directed by the printer or ADF (Automatic Document Feeder). If the paper is too far to the left or too far to the right or placed at an incorrect angle, it can cause the paper to jam as it enters the printer. Make sure that the edge of the paper is aligned with the paper tray's edge and that the paper's front is aligned with the front of the paper tray.
The Paper Tray Guides Must Be Set Correctly
The paper tray guides are devices that ensure the paper is properly aligned. If the guides are not set correctly, the paper may tilt or jam as it enters the printer. Adjust the tray guides according to the paper size to ensure the paper passes smoothly during printing.
Ambient Humidity Is Too High Or Too Low
When the ambient humidity is too high, the paper may absorb too much moisture, causing the paper to distort or swell. When ambient humidity is too low, the paper may lose moisture and become dry and brittle. Any of these changes may cause the paper to jam during printing. To maintain the quality of the paper, it is recommended that the printer be placed in an environment with moderate humidity.
Excessive Static Electricity Builds Up On The Paper
Static electricity is a charge created by friction between paper, air, or other objects. When too much static electricity builds up on the paper, the paper may stick together and cause a paper jam.
The Inside Of The Printer Is Dirty, Worn, Or Damaged
After the printer has been used for an extended time, dust, paper dust, and other impurities may accumulate inside. These impurities may clog the paper feed path and cause paper jams.
How To Fix A Paper Jam In A Printer？
While specific operations may vary from model to model, the basic steps for most printers are similar. The following is a general guide that applies to most printers, but please note that you may need to adapt it to the specific instructions for the printer model you are using.
Check The Condition Of The Paper
Please follow these guidelines to check the condition of the paper you are using:
1. Replace any torn, dusty, curled, wrinkled, or folded paper.
2. Remove any staples, paper clips, or self-adhesive notes.
3. Use paper types and weights supported by the printer.
4. Use paper that has yet to be printed or copied on.
Load Paper Correctly In The Input Tray
1. Load paper into the main input tray. Make sure the stack of paper is not taller than the marks on the sides of the paper width guides.
2. Verify that there are no pieces of paper, staples, paper clips, or other debris in the paper path.
3. Slide in the paper width and length guides until they stop at the edges. Please do not push the guides so far that they bend the paper.
4. Straighten the pages and adjust the paper width guides to center the paper.
5. Ensure the paper is loaded correctly, then insert the tray.
6. Verify that there are no pieces of paper, staples, paper clips, or other debris in the ADF path.
7. Load the original document print in the document feeder tray. Gently slide the document into the printer as far as it can go. Note: Only load up to 35 pages in the ADF. Larger stacks of paper can lead to pick problems.
8. Slide in the paper width guides until they are snug against the paper. Please do not push the paper width guides in so far that they bend the paper.
9. Try to copy or scan again.
Adjusting The Paper Guides On The Paper Tray
Follow the steps below to make sure the paper guides are adjusted correctly.
1. Adjust the paper guides to the appropriate notches or marks in the tray. Note: Do not adjust the paper guides to fit snugly into the stack.
2. Make sure the paper guides in the tray are adjusted correctly for the size of paper you are using. The arrows on the pallet rails should align with the markings on the pallet.
3. Follow these guidelines to ensure the tray is not overfilled:
a. Check the stacking height markings inside the pallet.
b. If the tray is too full, remove the stack of paper from the tray.
c. Arrange the stack of paper, and then load some of the paper into the paper tray. Note: The tabs next to the marks help hold the paper in the correct position as it enters the printer.
4. Try printing and see if the problem persists.
Check The Environment
Different models of printers may have slightly different requirements for ambient humidity. Therefore, for the most accurate humidity requirements, it is recommended to refer to your specific printer's user manual or contact HP technical support for details.
The following description is developed using the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M479dw printer as an example.
The HP LaserJet Pro MFP M479dw printer is suitable for humidity ranging from 10% to 80% relative humidity. The printer can maintain good working conditions within this humidity range and ensure printing quality and stability. If the ambient humidity exceeds 80%, the paper may absorb moisture and deform, increasing the risk of paper jams. If the ambient humidity is below 10%, the paper may be too dry and easily generate static electricity, which may also cause paper jams or print quality problems. Therefore, to maintain the normal operation and print quality of the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M479dw printer, it is recommended to keep the ambient humidity within this range when using it. The ambient humidity can be adjusted through indoor air conditioners, humidifiers, and other equipment to meet the printer's requirements.
Check The Printer
Paper jams can also occur when the printer is internally dirty, worn, or damaged due to long-term use or improper maintenance. To solve this problem, you can take the following measures: (These steps apply to all printer models)
1. Clean the inside of the printer regularly: Use a special printer cleaner or soft cloth to wipe the inside, especially key parts such as the paper feed path and paper feed rollers. Remove all dust and dirt to keep the printer running smoothly.
2. Check and replace worn parts: If it is found that some parts of the printer, such as paper feed rollers, feed rollers, etc., are seriously worn, they should be replaced in time. Wear on these parts can cause paper not to transport properly, causing paper jams.
3. Check if there are other faults in the printer: If the paper jam problem still occurs after cleaning and replacing parts, there may be other faults in the printer. At this time, it is recommended to contact professional printer maintenance personnel for inspection and repair.
How To Avoid Paper Jam In Printer?
1. Clean the printer regularly: Clean the external and internal parts of the printer regularly, including the input box, output box, paper feed roller, etc., to ensure that there is no dust and debris inside the printer.
2. Use high-quality consumables: Choose to use high-quality paper and toner cartridges, and avoid using expired or damaged consumables to ensure print quality and the normal operation of the printer. You can choose True Image toner cartridges or ink cartridges. Taking the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M479dw as an example, True Image's HP 415 toner cartridge is specially designed for the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M479dw printer. It is perfectly compatible with this printer and can provide clear, high-quality printing results. In addition, True Image also offers various models of high-quality toner cartridges and ink cartridges, so it is recommended to give them priority when choosing consumables.
3. Check the paper quality: Check whether the paper is flat and without creases before printing. Avoid using curled or damaged paper to reduce the possibility of paper jams.
4. Choose the appropriate paper type and size: Choose the appropriate paper type and size according to the printing task and avoid using incompatible paper to reduce the risk of paper jams.
Conclusion
Paper jams are one of the common printer failures, but by understanding the causes of paper jams and taking corresponding solutions, we can effectively solve and prevent paper jams. When using HP printers, we should pay attention to the quality of the paper, load the paper correctly, adjust the paper guides, check the environmental humidity and other aspects, and clean and maintain the printer regularly. Only in this way can we ensure the normal operation and efficient output of the printer, bringing more convenience to our office and life.
