Machine Maintenance - Properly Clearing a Jammed Copier or Printer
When clearing a jammed copier or jammed printer, we have identified 2 major issues customers encounter:
- Clearing the jam properly
- Clearing the ENTIRE jam
First, you want to ensure you clear the jam properly. We see many times that users will consider the jam cleared as long as they are able to somehow rip the jammed sheet(s) of paper out of the machine. NOT SO FAST!!! Some machines have a step by step process to go through on their display panels to show you exactly how to clear the jam PROPERLY.
Other machines will only have different knobs and handles to use to clear jammed paper. You should ALWAYS use these knobs and handles. If a knob or handle has an arrow indicating the direction to turn the knob or handle, ALWAYS turn in that direction! Many times it is tempting to just turn a knob a little in the opposite direction to free up a jammed sheet of paper ... WRONG thing to do! ALWAYS turn knobs and handles in the direction indicated on the knob or handle itself or as indicated by the display panel. Turning items in the reverse direction could break a gear, clutch, sensor, guide plate, etc.
Next, you want to ensure you get the ENTIRE jammed sheet(s) of paper out of the machine. It only takes a small piece of paper left behind to cause huge headaches with future copying or printing. Machines today are designed with many sensors looking for paper to be at a certain spot in the machine at a certain time. Small pieces of paper can slow moving paper and/or bend corners and edges of paper which will cause jam after jam after jam after jam in your copier or printer.
Always make sure you use the proper method(s) for clearing jammed paper from your copier or printer. The instructions for clearing jams properly is always provided on the machine or in the manuals for the machine. Also, be very careful to remove ALL the jammed paper from the machine to prevent major pain and agony with future copying. If the jam can not be cleared completely using the proper technique, you should schedule a service call with your local copier/printer repair shop (A+ Tech Services, Inc.). It will be money well spent to keep your machine running its best.