How do I Avoid Paper Jams in Your Printer

I’ve just lately needed to ship my printer for repairs because of a persistent “phantom paper jam” problem. Once fastened, the service heart provided some helpful upkeep tricks to stop future issues. I assumed sharing these instantly from the specialists would possibly assist others keep their printers in high form.

For context, my expertise is with the Epson EcoTank L6460 inkjet printer.

What Are Phantom Paper Jams?

Have you ever had your printer cease working, claiming there’s a paper jam when you may’t see any paper caught in any respect? This is called a phantom paper jam.

It’s actually annoying as a result of it stops all of your printing however appears like there’s nothing mistaken. Sometimes, the offender might be tiny bits of paper or different small stuff hiding inside your printer. look inside, perhaps with the assistance of a flashlight, can typically repair the issue.

How do I Clear Paper Jams from the Rear Cover

Follow these steps to take away any jammed paper from the rear of your printer:

1. Press the buttons to launch the rear cowl after which take it off your printer.



2. Gently take away any jammed paper you discover inside.



3. Don’t neglect to test the duplexer for jams as nicely.



4. Open the duplexer cowl, rigorously take away any caught paper, after which shut it back up.



5. Finally, reattach the rear cowl to your printer.

If you’ve checked in all places and nonetheless can’t discover something, like what occurred to me, the problem may be with the printer’s paper sensor. When this occurs, it’s in all probability time to take your printer to a service heart so the specialists can take a look.

Maintaining Your Printer

To be certain that your printer stays in tip-top form, listed here are some easy-to-follow suggestions:

• Use plain paper of at the very least 80 GSM. Avoid paper with punched holes, crumpled sheets, or sticky media to stop jams.
• Keep the rear paper assist tray away from the wall to keep away from interference.
• Extend the entrance tray correctly so paperwork lay flat, decreasing jam dangers.
• At the top of the day, take away paper from the tray and retailer it flat to stop curling.
• Perform a nozzle test weekly to make sure ink circulate and forestall clogs throughout all colours: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

To print a nozzle test (process varies by model and mannequin):

• For Epson customers, set up the printer driver in your PC. Then, navigate by means of Control Panel > Devices and Printers > right-click in your printer > choose Printing Preferences > Maintenance > Nozzle Check.
• If the nozzle test prints with lacking colours, traces, or breaks, it signifies compromised print high quality. Proceed to carry out a head cleansing by deciding on Maintenance > Head Cleaning and comply with the on-screen directions.
• If the nozzle test is obvious, no additional cleansing is required.

Epson Printers with LCD Panels

For printers with an LCD panel, select Maintenance > Nozzle Check instantly.

Epson Mobile Apps

Using cell apps (Epson iPrint (iOS / Android) or Epson Smart Panel (iOS, Android), join your printer, faucet in your printer mannequin, then go to Maintenance > Nozzle Check.

If you encounter issues you may’t resolve, contacting assist is all the time the very best plan of action. Hopefully, the following pointers will aid you keep your printer’s efficiency and keep away from these pesky paper jams!