Printer says paper jam but there is no paper

Medium≈ 10-20 min

Quick answer

HP confirms a printer can report a paper jam even when no paper is jammed. Turn the printer off, unplug it, and look for torn scraps, crumpled paper or loose labels in the carriage path and paper path. Then reset it by leaving it unplugged for 60 seconds. If the error stays, HP and Epson both point you to support.

Basic checks first

  • If the Cancel button on the control panel is lit, press it and wait until the printer is silent before you open anything (HP).
  • The printer is unplugged before you reach inside. HP warns this avoids the risk of injury or electric shock.
  • The ink cartridge carriage slides gently from side to side, with no crumpled paper or dislodged labels in its path.
  • No small torn pieces of paper remain inside. Epson notes these can cause repeat jams.
  • The paper is flat, dry and undamaged, it is a type your printer supports, and the tray is not overfilled.
  • You have checked every area the printer has: input and output tray, rear cover or rear feed, inside the scanner unit, and the document feeder (ADF).

Step-by-step by operating system

01Read the message, then fix it at the printerHP notes that a Carriage Jam message can appear on the printer control panel or on your computer. Either way the cause is inside the printer, so the clearing steps happen at the printer itself.
02Send a blank page on photo paper to clear debrisHP's method for removing small bits of paper from the paper path: remove the plain paper, load one full-size sheet of photo paper (letter or A4) and send a blank print job. After it ejects, pull out the input tray and remove any torn paper or debris you can see.
03Match the paper settings in your appWhenever you change the paper size or type in the tray, change the paper settings in the application you print from as well, as HP advises.

Fixes by connection type

Power

For the reset, HP recommends plugging the printer directly into a wall outlet. Leave the power cord out for 60 seconds before you reconnect it.

USB or Wi-Fi

However the printer connects to your devices, the jam procedures from HP and Epson start at the printer: turn it off and disconnect the power cable before you remove any paper or foreign matter.

Differences by brand

HPHP states that a printer might report a paper jam even when there is no jammed paper. Check the carriage path (HP's Carriage Jam or E3 document), move the carriage to each side to remove torn pieces, run a sheet of photo paper through to clear debris, clean the feed rollers, then reset for 60 seconds. Do not force a carriage that is locked or stuck, and do not tilt an ink tank printer.
EpsonOn the ET-2830 / L3550 series, if the error stays after you remove the paper and power cycle, paper may still be inside: load A4 paper in portrait in the rear paper feed and press the button to eject it. For other Epson models, check the rear cover, inside the scanner unit and the ADF, and do not touch the flat white cable or the translucent film.

Decision tree

Does the carriage slide freely from side to side?With the printer unplugged, open the cartridge access door and gently slide the carriage. If something blocks it, remove crumpled paper or dislodged labels. If it is locked or stuck, do not force it: HP warns this can damage the printer.
Are there torn bits of paper anywhere?Move the carriage to the far left and far right and remove any torn pieces, then check the paper path, rear cover and scanner unit. Epson notes that small pieces left behind can cause repeat jams.
Is the error still there after a power cycle with no paper inside?Paper may remain where you cannot see it. On the Epson ET-2830 / L3550, feed A4 through the rear feed and press the button to eject it. On HP, send a blank page on photo paper to push debris out, then reset the printer for 60 seconds.
Does it still say paper jam after every step?Stop there. HP recommends service or replacement if the issue persists after all the steps (repair fees may apply out of warranty), and Epson says to contact Epson support if the error cannot be cleared.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my printer say paper jam when there is no paper?

HP says jams can be real or false: a printer may report one with no jammed paper in sight. The causes HP and Epson describe include small torn pieces lodged in the paper path, crumpled paper or labels blocking the carriage, paper left deep inside, or debris on the feed rollers.

HP printer says paper jam but there is no paper. What should I try?

Follow HP's order: unplug the printer before reaching inside, move the carriage left and right and remove torn pieces, clear the paper path, run one sheet of photo paper through with a blank print job, clean the feed rollers, then unplug for 60 seconds and plug straight into a wall outlet. If it persists, HP recommends service.

Epson printer says paper jam but there is no paper jam. How do I clear it?

Turn the printer off and unplug it, then check the rear cover, inside the scanner unit and the ADF, removing every torn piece. Keep the printer level so ink does not leak. On the ET-2830 / L3550 series, load A4 in portrait in the rear feed and press the button to eject paper left inside. If the error cannot be cleared, contact Epson support.

My HP ENVY says paper jam but there is no paper. Do the same steps apply?

HP's carriage jam help covers DeskJet, OfficeJet, PhotoSmart, ENVY and other models, and notes that carriage jams sometimes occur after a paper jam. Check the carriage path for obstructions, then reset. HP's Virtual Assistant can also walk you through it for your exact model.

Can I tilt or shake the printer to get a hidden scrap out?

No. Epson says to keep the printer in its normal position and not to tilt it, stand it upright or turn it upside down, because ink may leak. HP gives the same warning for ink tank printers.

PrinterErrors editorial team

Last updated · Content is independent and not sponsored by any manufacturer.

Sources & methodology

Spotted something inaccurate? Report a content issue

Related error codes

HP E4E4 on an HP Smart Tank or Ink Tank printer is a paper Canon E03E03 on a Canon G2010 or G3010 series printer means pap