Printers today are becoming more technologically advanced, evolving from simple printing devices to all-in-one machines that print, fax, copy and scan at high speeds in color or in Black and White. However, regardless of how advanced printers has become, there is still one recurring problem that has managed to frustrate many printer owners.
No, it is not the high costs of ink cartridges, but rather, it is the issue of paper jam. No matter what printer you use, you are bound to face this problem on a constant basis. Here are 4 reasons why.
- Damaged Rollers
Rollers are the components that pick up paper from the tray. As such, if there is a paper jam, there could be a high likelihood that the rollers have been worn out over time. If that is the case, replace them as soon as possible.
- Paper Loading Issues
This is one of the biggest causes of paper jams, which occurs when you load paper into the tray. During this process, using the wrong type of paper or having crumpled paper may result in a higher likelihood of having the paper jam during the printing process as the rollers are unable to pick up the paper properly. Henceforth, before printing, ensure that the paper is smooth and the correct paper type is being placed on the input tray.
- Overloading
While it seems that putting in many pieces of paper at one go is efficient as there is no need to keep refiling the tray, it is not a good practice as it may cause overloading. This is because the rollers in the printer are devised to pick papers up from a certain height, and overloading will cause the overall paper height to exceed that pre-determined height. Consequently, the rollers are unable to pick up the paper properly, resulting a higher likelihood of having a paper jam.
- Low Quality Consumables
The quality of consumables such as printing paper and cartridges play a vital role in causing paper jams. This is because low-quality paper or cartridges may create and leave behind flakes, paper dust, stray ink or toner powder, all of which will accumulate and clog up the components within the printer, resulting in resulting a higher likelihood of having a paper jam. Henceforth, it is necessary to invest in higher-quality printing consumables.
Ultimately, whenever you encounters a paper jam, DO NOT panic and start ripping out the papers. Instead, stay calm and gently pull the paper out of the path in the direction where it is supposed to go in. After that, check for any scrap pieces of paper that are stuck. Once done, close the covers, re-start the printer and it would work.