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Brother Printer paper jams can interrupt printing and may prevent documents from coming out correctly. A paper jam can happen in the paper tray, inside the printer, near the rear cover, around the duplex unit, or close to the paper pickup area. Brother printers may also display messages such as “Jam Tray,” “Jam Inside,” “Jam Rear,” or similar notifications to help identify where the paper is stuck.
If your Brother Printer is showing a paper jam message, the safest approach is to stop printing, inspect the printer carefully, and remove the jammed paper without tearing it. The exact location of the jam and the removal procedure can vary depending on your Brother printer model, so avoid forcing covers, cartridges, or internal components.
Turn Off the Brother Printer Before Removing Jammed Paper
Before working inside the printer, stop the current print job and turn off the Brother Printer. Disconnect the power if your model requires access to internal areas. This helps reduce the risk of injury and prevents the printer from attempting to feed paper while you are clearing the jam.
Some internal printer components, particularly around the fuser area in laser models, can become very hot after printing. Brother specifically warns users not to touch hot internal parts when clearing certain paper jams. Allow the printer to cool before reaching into those areas.
Do not pull paper aggressively. If the paper feels firmly stuck, locate the appropriate access area instead of forcing it through the printer.
Check the Brother Printer Display
Look at the printer display or computer Status Monitor before removing anything. Many Brother models identify the approximate location of the jam.
Common messages include Jam Tray, Jam Inside, Jam Rear, and Jam Two-Sided. These messages indicate that paper may be stuck in the corresponding section of the printer.
Knowing the location first can make the process easier and helps prevent unnecessary removal of printer components.
Remove Paper From the Paper Tray
If the jam is located near the paper tray, remove the tray completely from the Brother Printer.
Check the paper path carefully and look for sheets that have folded, curled, or become trapped. Slowly pull the jammed sheet out using both hands whenever possible. Pull in the direction of the paper path rather than sharply pulling sideways.
After removing the paper, inspect the tray for small pieces that may have torn away. Even a small piece of paper left inside the printer can cause another jam.
Before putting the tray back, check the paper stack. Straighten the sheets and make sure they are not bent, damp, curled, or stuck together.
Brother recommends removing the paper from the tray and straightening the stack before reloading it because multiple sheets feeding together can contribute to paper jams.
Check the Front Area of the Printer
If the paper is not visible in the tray, open the front cover if your Brother model provides access through this area.
For laser Brother Printers, the jammed sheet may be located around the drum and toner assembly. Depending on the model, carefully remove the drum and toner assembly according to the printer's instructions and inspect the paper path.
Never force the drum or toner assembly out if it does not move normally. Also avoid touching electrical contacts or sensitive internal components.
Brother documentation for several laser models recommends carefully removing the drum and toner assembly when necessary and checking for paper behind or underneath it.
Check the Rear Cover
A Brother Printer can also experience a paper jam near the rear cover. This can happen when paper does not travel correctly through the printer or when the rear paper path becomes obstructed.
Open the rear cover carefully and inspect the paper path. If you can see the jammed sheet, gently pull it out using both hands.
Some Brother laser models have a fuser area behind the rear cover. Because this area can become extremely hot, allow the printer to cool before touching anything inside. Brother recommends waiting for the machine to cool before working around hot internal components.
Once the paper has been removed, close the rear cover completely. A cover that is not properly closed can prevent the printer from returning to its normal operating state.
Check the Duplex Printing Area
If your Brother Printer supports automatic two-sided printing, the paper may be stuck in the duplex unit.
Remove the duplex tray or open the appropriate access cover according to your model. Slowly remove any paper that is visible in this section.
Do not pull the paper sharply because it can tear and leave small pieces behind. Check both the duplex path and the rear section before closing the covers.
Brother identifies “Jam Two-Sided” as a possible paper-jam condition on supported models and recommends checking the two-sided tray or rear area when this message appears.
Look for Small Pieces of Torn Paper
Sometimes the main sheet comes out but a small piece remains inside the printer. This can cause the Brother Printer to continue displaying a paper jam message even though the large sheet has already been removed.
Use a flashlight if necessary and inspect the paper tray area, front path, rear path, duplex area, and corners around the feed mechanism.
Do not insert sharp objects into the printer to retrieve paper. A tool can damage rollers, sensors, cables, or other internal components.
If you can safely reach a small piece of paper, remove it gently. If it cannot be reached without forcing a component, stop and consult the instructions for your exact Brother model.
Close All Printer Covers Properly
After clearing the jam, reinstall any components that you removed and close every cover firmly.
Make sure the paper tray is completely inserted. Check that the front cover, rear cover, duplex tray, and other access panels are properly seated.
Some Brother models use cover positions and sensors to determine whether the printer is ready to operate. If a cover remains slightly open, the printer may continue showing an error or refuse to print.
Brother also recommends checking the printer thoroughly if the jam message remains after removing visible paper because another piece of paper may still be stuck somewhere in the machine.
Restart the Brother Printer
After clearing the paper jam, turn the Brother Printer back on.
Allow it to complete its startup process. If the printer returns to the ready state, print a test document.
If the paper jam message remains, turn the printer off again and inspect the entire paper path. Do not assume that the printer is defective simply because the message remains. A hidden paper fragment or incorrectly closed cover can cause the message to continue.
Brother documentation explains that if the jam indication remains after removing visible paper, additional paper may still be jammed elsewhere in the machine.
Check the Paper Guides
Incorrectly positioned paper guides can contribute to feeding problems.
Remove the paper stack and adjust the guides so that they fit the paper size without squeezing the sheets too tightly. Make sure the paper is positioned correctly in the tray.
Do not overload the tray. Use paper that is appropriate for your Brother Printer and avoid sheets that are excessively curled, damaged, damp, or stuck together.
For certain newer Brother inkjet models, Brother specifically recommends setting the paper guides to the correct paper size.
Clean the Paper Pickup Area
If your Brother Printer repeatedly jams even after you remove the paper correctly, dirty paper pickup rollers may be contributing to the problem.
Paper dust and residue can reduce the rollers' ability to feed sheets properly. Some Brother models specifically identify accumulated paper dust on the pickup rollers as a possible cause of rear paper jams.
Follow the cleaning instructions for your particular model. Do not apply liquids directly to internal electrical components or use aggressive cleaning materials.
Regularly keeping the paper tray and surrounding area clean can help reduce feeding problems.
Check the Paper Quality
Paper quality can have a major effect on paper feeding.
Avoid using sheets that are folded, heavily curled, wet, damaged, or stuck together. Store unused paper in a dry location and keep the package closed when the paper is not being used.
Use the paper type and size recommended for your Brother Printer. Mixing different paper types in the same tray can also create feeding problems. Brother documentation advises against putting multiple kinds of paper in the tray at the same time on supported models.
If jams occur only with a particular paper type, test the printer with fresh, properly stored paper.
Fix a Brother Printer That Keeps Showing Paper Jam
If the Brother Printer continues displaying a paper jam message after you have cleared the paper, perform another complete inspection.
Check the paper tray, front area, rear cover, duplex section, and output path. Look for small pieces of torn paper and make sure every removable component is installed correctly.
Also check whether the paper guides are correctly adjusted and whether the paper stack is overloaded or uneven.
If the printer repeatedly jams in exactly the same location, the issue may involve a worn roller, paper sensor, mechanical component, or another internal problem rather than a simple sheet of paper.
Fix Brother Printer Paper Jam During Two-Sided Printing
If jams happen mainly during automatic two-sided printing, inspect the duplex path carefully.
Remove the paper tray and check the rear and two-sided printing areas for trapped paper. Make sure the duplex tray is fully inserted and that there are no damaged sheets in the paper path.
A printer that works normally with single-sided printing but repeatedly jams during two-sided printing may need additional inspection of the duplex mechanism.
Prevent Future Brother Printer Paper Jams
Preventing paper jams is easier than repeatedly clearing them. Keep the paper tray clean and avoid loading damaged or curled sheets.
Always align the paper stack before placing it in the tray. Adjust the guides to the correct paper size and avoid overfilling the tray.
Keep paper away from moisture and excessive heat. If paper has been stored for a long time and has become curled or damp, replacing it with fresh paper may improve feeding.
Also avoid pulling paper from the output area while the printer is actively feeding a document. Allow the printing process to finish before removing the pages.
Regular maintenance and correct paper handling can significantly reduce repeated jams.
When the Brother Printer Paper Jam Will Not Clear
If the Brother Printer continues showing a paper jam after you have checked all accessible areas, do not repeatedly force internal components.
There may be a hidden paper fragment, damaged sensor, worn roller, or mechanical problem. If you cannot safely access the jammed area, professional service may be necessary.
The exact paper-jam procedure differs between Brother printer families and models. Brother's official troubleshooting pages provide model-specific instructions, including separate procedures for front, rear, tray, internal, and two-sided paper jams.
Final Thoughts
Brother Printer paper jams can usually be resolved by carefully locating the jam, turning off the printer, removing the paper without tearing it, and checking the complete paper path. Start with the location shown on the printer display or Status Monitor, then inspect the tray, front section, rear cover, and duplex area as applicable.
After clearing the jam, reload fresh paper, adjust the paper guides, close every cover properly, and restart the printer. If the paper jam returns repeatedly, inspect the rollers and paper path and consider model-specific troubleshooting or professional service.
Taking care when removing jammed paper is important because forcing a sheet can damage internal components or leave pieces behind. With proper paper handling and regular inspection, you can reduce the chances of recurring Brother Printer paper jams.