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Clearing Paper Jams

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When clearing jams, be very careful not to tear jammed paper. If a small piece of paper remains in the product, it could cause additional jams.
CAUTION:Before clearing jams, turn the product off and disconnect the power cord.

Common causes of jams

  • The input trays are loaded incorrectly or are too full.
    NOTE:When you add new media, always remove the media from the tray and straighten the entire stack. This helps prevent multiple feeds and reduces media jams.
  • The media does not meet HP-recommended specifications.
  • The product needs to be cleaned to remove paper dust and other particles from the paper path.
Loose toner might remain in the product after a media jam. This toner clears up after a few sheets print.
CAUTION:If you get any toner on your clothes or hands, wash them in cold water. Hot water will set the toner into the fabric .
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Jam locations

Jams can occur at the following locations in the product.
Figure 1: Jam locations
1 - Internal areas
2 - Input trays
3 - Output bins
4 - Rear door and duplexer (HP LaserJet Professional P1600 printer series)
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Clear jams from the input trays

CAUTION:Do not use sharp objects, such as tweezers or needle-nose pliers, to remove jams. Damage caused by sharp objects will not be covered by the warranty.When removing jammed media, pull the jammed media straight away from the product. Pulling jammed media out of the product at an angle can damage the product.
NOTE:Depending on where the jam is located, some of the following steps might not be necessary.
  1. Open the print-cartridge door, and then remove the print cartridge.
    Figure 2: Remove the print cartridge
  2. In the main-input tray or the priority input slot, remove the media stack.
    Figure 3: Remove paper from input tray
  3. With both hands, grasp the side of the jammed media that is most visible (this includes the middle), and carefully pull it free from the product.
    Figure 4: Remove jammed paper
  4. Reinstall the print cartridge and close the print-cartridge door.
    Figure 5: Replace the print cartridge
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Clear jams from the duplexer

NOTE:Only the HP LaserJet Professional P1600 printer series has an automatic duplexer.
  1. Open the print-cartridge door, and then remove the print cartridge.
    Figure 6: Remove the print cartridge
  2. Open the rear door.
    Figure 7: Open the rear door
  3. Carefully grasp the jammed paper, and slowly pull it out of the product
    Figure 8: Remove the jam
  4. Close the rear door.
    Figure 9: Close the rear door
  5. Reinstall the print cartridge and close the print-cartridge door.
    Figure 10: Replace the print cartridge
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Clear jams from the output areas

CAUTION:Do not use sharp objects, such as tweezers or needle-nose pliers, to remove jams. Damage caused by sharp objects will not be covered by the warranty.
  1. Open the print-cartridge door, and then remove the print cartridge.
    Figure 11: Remove the print cartridge
  2. Keep the print cartridge door open, and then with both hands, grasp the side of the jammed media that is most visible (this includes the middle), and carefully pull it free from the product.
    Figure 12: Remove jammed paper
  3. Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print-cartridge door.
    Figure 13: Replace the print cartridge
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Clear jams from inside the product

  1. Open the print-cartridge door, and remove the print cartridge.
    remove the print cartridge
    CAUTION:To prevent damage, do not expose the print cartridge to light. Cover it with a piece of paper.
  2. If you can see the jammed paper, carefully grasp the jammed paper, and slowly pull it out of the product.
    NOTE:If you can not see the jammed paper, go to the next step.If you successfully removed the jammed paper, skip the next step.
    remove the jammed paper
  3. Press the green tab and then open the jam-access door, carefully grasp the jammed paper and slowly pull it out of the product.
    Figure 16: open the jam door and remove the jammed paper
  4. Reinstall the print cartridge, and then close the print-cartridge door.
    Figure 17: replace the print cartridge
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Solve repeated jams

  • Verify that the input tray is not overfilled. The input tray capacity varies depending on the type of print media that you are using.
  • Verify that the media guides are properly adjusted.
  • Check that the input tray is securely in place.
  • Do not add print media into the input tray while the product is printing.
  • Use only HP-recommended media types and sizes.
  • Do not fan media prior to loading it in a tray. To loosen the ream, hold it firmly in both hands and twist the media by rotating your hands in the opposite direction.
  • Do not let print media stack up in the output bin. The print media type and the amount of toner used affect the output bin capacity.
  • Check the power connection. Make sure that the power cord is firmly connected to both the product and the power supply box. Plug the power cord into a grounded power outlet.
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Change the jam recovery setting

When the Jam Recovery feature is turned on, the product reprints any pages that are damaged during a jam.
  1. Open the product Properties dialog box.
  2. Click the Device Settings tab.
  3. Click the Auto option or the Off option under Jam Recovery .
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