Why does my copier/printer keep jamming? this is a common question posed to our technicians. What steps can we take to avoid printer jams? Copier and printer use is essential to business productivity. Workflow can suffer when a piece of equipment malfunctions. How long can your company afford to operate with an "out of order" copier? Hours, minutes, or days?

Paper jams are not only a hassle and a source of annoyance; they can also be expensive. They reduce workplace productivity while wasting time and resources. The key is to prevent. Here, you can find some of the most straightforward, practical solutions to the all-too-common paper jam. Your machine will be more dependable later on the more precautions you take now.

Tip 1: Paper Handling

Your copier's performance can be significantly improved by handling paper properly. If your machine says it can hold up to 2,000 sheets of paper, that does not necessarily mean that 2,000 sheets should be placed inside. Paper will stick together in a paper tray that is too full. This causes your machine to malfunction because the rollers pull more than one sheet at a time. It may take some time to fix the copier if there are papers stuck in numerous locations. It might be time to think about buying a larger machine if your copy machine consistently runs at maximum capacity.

The performance will also change if you use the right paper weight. To find out what weights are suitable for your machine, always consult the user manual. It will jam if you attempt to use paper that is heavier than what your copier can handle. To assist the machine in adjusting to the weight difference, make sure to modify the paper setting. In the paper tray, never mix different weights. Use the bypass option if you need to print a few copies on cardstock quickly and don't want to deal with the paper tray. A printer jam can be caused by a few sheets of heavy paper placed on top of the plain paper in the tray.

The paper must be kept in a cool, dry place out of the direct sunlight, heat, and humidity. Paper's surroundings greatly impact it, and how you store it can affect how well your copier works. Paper begins to absorb moisture from the air as soon as it is taken out of its packaging. The paper's fiber's expand as a result of moisture. The paper's dimensions, flatness, and strength are altered as a result. For your printer to operate properly, flatness and proper dimension are essential.

Tip 2: Quality over cost

Not always is cheaper better. High-quality toner and paper are a small investment that will make the copier run more smoothly and save you time in the long run. Low-quality toner leaves a residue on the machine's internal components. Buildup over time lowers the print quality and is a frequent reason for paper jams. It is also important to keep in mind that you should replace the cartridge if your machine has been inactive for a long time. Printing and jamming issues can be caused by outdated toner on its own.

The same standards for quality apply to paper as well. Your copiers and printers will not work well with cheap, subpar paper. It is not a good option for your machine even though it is frequently "recycled" and better for the environment. Low-quality paper causes an accumulation of tiny paper fragments inside the machine that is frequently referred to as "paper dust." One of the major causes of paper jams is this "dust." More dust equals more traffic jams. In addition to jams, the dust makes prints of poor quality and hastens the wear of machine parts.

Tip 3: Schedule routine copier maintenance

Regular maintenance can keep equipment operating effectively. At the end of the day, turning a machine off or into sleep mode can be helpful. Your device will go through a mini-cleaning cycle on its own thanks to this straightforward change. It's an efficient way to maintain the peak performance of your copier in between maintenance visits.

Your service technician should perform scheduled cleanings on a regular basis to reduce downtime. Copier maintenance is typically covered by your contract if you use managed print services, but you should double-check with your provider.

Feed roller deterioration may result from daily wear and tear. The rollers' ability to control paper flow when worn-out is compromised by a lack of traction. Lack of traction causes paper jams to persist. A technician will keep an eye out for wear and tear and replace them before problems arise. They will clean out the machine's interior of any dust and debris. These regular maintenance checks will lessen the demand for unforeseen service calls.

Businesses rely on officeequipment to operate consistently and efficiently. Epic's specialists areavailable to assist. Need a new copier or scheduled maintenance? We at NGI are always glad to be of assistance!