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How to Clear a Printer Paper Jam Safely

Remove stuck paper gently and load paper the right way to stop jams coming back.

Steps

Turn the printer off and unplug it before reaching inside.
Open the paper tray and the access doors your manual lists for paper jams (front, rear or inside the cover).
Hold the jammed sheet with both hands and pull it out slowly in the direction the paper normally travels.
Look for small torn pieces and remove them; a scrap left inside can cause the next jam.
Fan the paper stack, load it below the tray's maximum line and slide the guides until they just touch the edges.
Close every door, plug in, turn the printer on and print a test page.

Never use scissors, knives or other tools inside the printer.
Curled, damp or overly thick paper jams more often; use the paper types listed in your manual.

Updated November 4, 2026. Menu names and buttons differ by model; your printer's official manual has the exact steps.