How to Clear a Paper Jam on a Brother Printer

That flashing "Paper Jam" message never seems to show up at a convenient time. The good news: it's one of the most common Brother printer errors, and also one of the easiest to clear once you know where to look. Below, we'll walk through why it happens, exactly how to pull the paper free without tearing it or damaging the rollers, and what to do if the jam warning won't clear even though there's no paper stuck anywhere.

Causes Of Brother Printer Paper Jam Issue

Before you dig into the machine, it helps to know what usually causes the jam in the first place:

• Overloaded paper tray. Stacking paper above the fill line puts uneven pressure on the feed rollers, so more than one sheet gets pulled in at a time.
• Dusty or worn feed rollers. Paper dust and fiber buildup coat the rubber rollers over time, and once they lose their grip, sheets slip instead of feeding straight.
• Mismatched paper settings. If the tray guides or the driver's paper size don't match what's actually loaded, the machine can pull paper in crooked.
• Damp or curled paper. Paper that's absorbed humidity from storage sticks to itself and to the rollers, which is a common cause of misfeeds.
• Leftover scraps from a previous jam. A torn corner left behind, especially near the exit path or duplex unit, can trigger the sensor again on the next print job.
• Two-sided (duplex) printing. The duplex path folds paper back through the printer, giving it more opportunities to catch or fold.

2 Effective Solutions to Fix Brother Printer Paper Jam

Check your printer's display first. Most Brother models will tell you whether the paper is jammed at the front, the back, or inside near the scanner, which tells you exactly where to start.

Solution 1: Remove the Jammed Paper

1. Pull the paper tray all the way out of the printer and set it aside.
2. Look inside the tray opening. If you see paper, grip it with both hands and pull slowly in the direction it was feeding, never backward, so it doesn't tear.
3. Check for a small white, fork-shaped piece near the rollers called the PE actuator. It's a paper sensor, and it needs to sit freely in place, not bent or missing.
4. Clear any torn bits or dust from the tray opening with a dry cloth.
5. Slide the tray back in firmly until it clicks into place.

Solution 2: Fix a Paper Jam Stuck Inside the Machine

1. Unplug the printer from the power outlet before reaching inside.
2. On the back of the unit, grip the rear cover at the center and pull it straight off.
3. Gently pull any jammed paper out toward the back, following the same slow, steady motion.
4. If your model prints two-sided, slide out the duplex tray from the rear or base and check the folded paper path for anything caught inside.
5. Lift the scanner cover until it locks open, and check underneath and around the drum unit for any paper or torn fragments.
6. Reattach the rear cover, close the scanner, plug the printer back in, and send a test print.

If paper tears while you're removing it, take a moment to check every corner, including around the drum and duplex unit, before printing again. A missed scrap is the single biggest reason the same jam error comes right back.