Buzz
Shredders are indispensable office tools and crucial for security, but they can become a major hassle when paper gets jammed. Fortunately, most paper jams can be fixed with basic troubleshooting and a bit of skill. Only severe jams will require more advanced solutions.
Steps
Handling Common Paper Jams
Unplug the shredder.
- As soon as you notice paper starting to jam, stop the machine immediately to prevent the situation from worsening. This will allow you to carefully assess the situation and prepare to fix the paper jam.
- Signs of a jam include: paper feeding slowly into the shredder, a complete stop, and noticeable noises indicating "overload".
If necessary, empty the trash bin.
- Another reason your shredder may jam is because there’s no space left in the bin for the shredded paper. If the bin is full, empty it and try again — this should resolve the clogging issue.
- If the shredder is still jammed, proceed with the next steps.
Switch the shredder to "reverse" mode and plug it back in.
- Because paper jams are common, most modern shredders come with a reverse function. Switch the shredder to "reverse" mode (usually indicated by a clearly marked button on the shredder) and plug it back in.
- Make sure your fingers or any tools are not near the shredder’s entry while you plug it in.
If the shredder is still jammed when running in reverse, switch to "auto/forward" mode.
- Running the shredder in reverse usually clears minor jams within seconds. However, in severe cases, the shredder might jam again while running in reverse. If that happens, unplug the shredder, switch it back to "auto" or "forward" mode (depending on the model), and plug it in again.
- Alternate between reverse and forward modes as needed. With a more serious jam, the shredder could break if it continues to run in reverse, or the jam could worsen if stuck in forward mode. Switching between modes will allow the paper to slowly work its way out of the shredder.
Reduce the thickness of the paper stack before feeding it into the shredder.
- One of the most common reasons for paper jams is feeding too many sheets into the shredder at once. After clearing the jam, try feeding a thinner stack of paper into the machine. If this was the cause of the issue, a smaller pile should pass through the shredder more smoothly.
- If the jam still doesn’t clear after alternating between reverse and forward modes, the jam might be severe enough to require manual intervention. Don’t worry, refer to the section below for more details.
Manually Fixing a Severe Paper Jam
Unplug the shredder for safety.
- In this method, we will attempt to manually remove the jammed paper with your hands and other tools, so it’s important to ensure your safety. You definitely do not want the shredder to turn on while you’re working inside, whether with your hands or with tools.
Remove the "paper shredder" component at the top if possible.
- Most shredders today have two parts: the trash bin and the shredder mechanism on top. If possible, removing the shredder mechanism will allow you to inspect both sides of the paper slot for easier jam removal. Usually, the shredder component can be lifted off the trash bin, and higher-end models often feature a simple locking mechanism.
- If you can, place the shredder component on a large sheet of newspaper (or somewhere where the mess won’t be an issue) before beginning the process.
Use tweezers to pull out the paper scraps from the blades.
- Tweezers can help you grip and pull out the paper stuck in the narrow paper slot. However, you can also use your hands, as long as you’re absolutely certain the shredder is unplugged.
- Pull the paper from both the top and bottom of the shredder. It can be difficult to tell exactly where the jam is from the outside, so it's best to tackle both sides.
Use a knife to cut any twisted paper and pull it out.
- When paper jams, the sheets can sometimes wrap around the internal rollers, making it harder to clear. Use a sharp knife (or scissors) to cut through the tangled paper and free the machine for easier operation.
Use a screwdriver or pliers to remove any paper or plastic pieces.
- If you can see a thick stack of paper or small plastic pieces stuck in the shredder blades (this is often easiest to spot from below the machine), use metal tools to pry the blades apart and remove the obstruction. You may need to forcefully pull or pry out tough blocks, but be gentle to avoid damaging the shredder.
- Note: when using these tools, the most important thing is not to damage the shredder blades, as this could lead to costly repairs later.
- These tools are especially useful for removing stubborn plastic pieces, such as when shredding items like CDs or ATM cards.
Try feeding thick, smooth paper into the shredder to clear the jam.
- It might sound unbelievable, but sometimes adding more paper actually helps clear a jam. To try this trick, find a piece of thick paper (such as file folder cardboard or a cereal box) that you no longer need.
- Feed the stiff paper directly into the paper slot while the shredder is running. Press down firmly to help push the jammed paper out. If this doesn't work, stop and try another method to avoid worsening the jam.
Use shredder lubricant for severe jams.
- In some cases, severe jams are caused by the shredder blades being dry. To fix this, use shredder oil (available online and at most office supply stores at an affordable price - around 230,000 VND per bottle). You can substitute with vegetable oil, but do not use aerosol lubricants (like WD-40 spray) as these can damage the shredder's internal motor.
- To apply the oil, drip a few drops onto the most jammed areas. Let the oil soak in for about half an hour, then run the shredder in forward mode again. After the oil has absorbed, the paper will become softer and the blades will be better lubricated for shredding.
Run the shredder in reverse mode after removing most of the jammed paper.
- If you've removed most of the jam but there is still some paper left, try running the shredder in reverse mode. Usually, when the shredder "runs backward," it’s easier to clear out any remaining paper.
Test if the jam is cleared by shredding a single sheet of paper.
- The paper should pass through the shredder smoothly. Once cleared, you can continue using the shredder as normal!
Prevent future paper jams
Avoid overloading the shredder with paper.
- As mentioned, the shredder will inevitably jam if it tries to process more paper than it's designed to handle. Fortunately, the solution is simple: after each paper jam, learn from the experience and try to feed fewer documents into the shredder in the future.
Don't feed paper into the shredder too quickly.
- Another common cause of paper jams is feeding too many sheets into the shredder without allowing it to finish shredding one batch before adding more. Remember, the paper needs time to be shredded properly as it enters the machine.
- To solve this issue, after each batch of paper is fed through, wait a few seconds before adding the next batch.
Don't crumple or fold paper before shredding.
- Crumpled, folded, or wrinkled paper is more likely to jam in the shredder, as these papers require double the effort to be shredded in one go. Smooth out any wrinkles or folds on the paper before feeding it into the shredder.
- Edges of paper can become bent when stored or handled too tightly, so be cautious with the documents you plan to shred to avoid unnecessary issues.
Be cautious with thick or rigid materials (such as cardboard, plastic, etc.).
- Thicker materials are harder to shred than regular paper. To avoid jams, it's best to cut down the following materials into smaller pieces before attempting to shred them:
- ATM cards
- CD/DVDs
- Multi-layered paper
- Cardboard
- Thick packaging materials
- Materials containing adhesives
Empty the shredder's waste bin regularly.
- As mentioned, an overflowing shredder bin is a common cause of jams since paper can pile up and get stuck in the blades. To prevent this, simply empty the bin before it becomes too full.
- If this becomes a frequent issue, consider setting a schedule to empty the bin (e.g., "Please empty the bin every Monday and Thursday afternoon.")
Regularly lubricate the shredder's rollers.
- Lubrication is not only a lifesaver for paper jams but also plays a vital role in keeping your shredder in top condition. Drop a few drops of oil on the shredder blades every time you empty the bin or a few times a month to ensure the blades stay sharp and properly lubricated.
- Note (as previously mentioned): vegetable oil (such as cooking oil) can also replace the specialized shredder oil available on the market. In fact, shredder oil is simply vegetable oil repackaged and labeled as such.
- Be cautious not to overuse the lubricant. Paper dust combined with excess oil can form a thick sludge that hinders shredding. If left for too long, vegetable oil can even spoil (around a year at room temperature).
Tip
- When removing stuck paper, try pulling it while gently rocking it back and forth for easier extraction.
- Occasionally, you can shake the shredder to dislodge paper scraps from the blades.
- To prevent the blades from dulling, remove paper clips and staples before feeding documents into the shredder. Shredding CDs and DVDs can also quickly wear down the blades. Consider using specialized tools like a Disc Eraser for sensitive data on discs.
Warning
- Always turn off the shredder and unplug it before attempting to clear a jam manually. While rare, you could still injure yourself and require first aid.
