Simple Ways to Fix a Paper Jam on an HP Inkjet Printer

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Easy-to-follow steps to remove jammed paper from your HP printer
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Hewlett-Packard (HP) inkjet printers come in several different makes and models. Inkjet printers print black-and-white or color documents and pictures for home and office use. A paper jam can occur if a piece of paper gets stuck in your HP inkjet printer. When you have a paper jam, you may see an error (if your printer has a screen), and the printer will either push out a crumpled and smudged paper or it will stop. To clear the paper jam, you'll need to remove the sheet of paper that is stuck. This wikiHow article teaches you how to clear a paper jam in an HP Inkjet printer.

Things You Should Know

  • Open and remove the paper tray to check for loose paper. Gently pull the paper out to clear the jam.
  • If you don't find jammed paper in the tray, remove the rear access door and remove the paper stuck in the rollers.
  • More paper jams may occur if the print carriage cannot move freely.

Steps

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  1. Before you do anything, press your printer's "Power" button to turn it off, then pull the plug that connects it to power.
    • If your printer is connected via USB to a computer, disconnect that as well.
    • The goal here is to ensure the software starts again once you turn on the printer, so it can check for jams again once you turn it back on.
  2. Most paper jams occur as the rollers feed paper into the printer from the paper tray, so that is a good place to look first. You also want to take out any paper in the tray.
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  3. Depending on your printer's model, you'll find the access door on the printer's top, front, or back. Removing this will allow you to look into the printer to see where paper may be jammed. There should be a knob or a clasp that will release the door and allow you to take it off.
    • If you have a laser printer, remove the ink cartridge as well to get a better view inside.
  4. Make sure all the paper has been removed, including any scraps and ripped pieces. To avoid ripping or tearing the paper, move it in the same direction as the rollers.
    • Replace the access door on the printer when you're done. If there is no other paper stuck in the printer, press the Resume button.
  5. For some printers, the ink cartridges must be able to move freely from one side of the printer to the other. While looking under the access panel, check that there isn't any dust buildup that can cause a paper jam.
    • If you do see dust and debris, clean them by gently wipe down the rollers with a damp cloth.
  6. If you had to remove ink cartridges, put them back, then re-attach the access door.
    • Put paper back into the tray, plug it into the wall, and connect any other cables you disconnected earlier.
  7. Hold the Resume or OK button down until a test page begins to print. [1]
    • If you see that there's still an error, there might be more access doors that you can open to see more of the inside of your printer. Once you power the printer off again and disconnect it from power, remove those other paper jams, then try plugging it in and resuming again.
    • You may need to open different access doors to find the paper jam causing the error, but don't give up! Each door gives you a different view of the inside of your printer, so you should be able to locate the jam quickly.
  8. As a last resort, call HP for service if the test page does not print or you continue getting paper jams.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What can cause a paper alignment issue?
    Denneisk
    Top Answerer
    Overuse of the printer can make it cause slip-ups and jam. Poor placement of paper into a printer makes it jam. A lot of factors could go into it, but it's mostly those two.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 13
  • Question
    How do I put the rear access door back onto the printer?
    Community Answer
    Use a lot of force with it. Do it quickly, as it might release as you're putting it back in. Make sure to have somebody holding the other door.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 6
  • Question
    What should I do if my printer still won't work and says "error" after it jammed and I pulled out a piece of paper?
    Community Answer
    Look for another piece or part of a piece stuck somewhere. If clear, try turning it off and back on again.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 17 Helpful 12
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      Tips

      • Read the user's manual or instruction booklet that came with your HP inkjet printer. Follow any directions found in the book on how to avoid paper jams.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/vnebkZLZrxU?t=103

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