Brother's online user's guide splits jams by location. For the MFC-J inkjets it lists Jam A Inside/Front, Jam B Front and Jam C Rear, each with its own removal steps, and the principle is to locate the jammed paper and remove it. Turn the machine off first, pull the paper tray out and check the tray slot, then open the jam clear cover at the back and the scanner cover, and remove paper from where it stopped, gently and in the direction of travel, so it does not tear.
The checks in more detail
If a piece tears, remove every scrap. On laser models open the front cover and check the toner and drum assembly and the fuser, which is hot, and the rear cover, the tray and the duplex tray on DW models. Load paper below the tray's limit, fan it, adjust the guides and use the size and weight the machine supports; mixed or damp paper jams.
If a jam message stays with no paper visible, check every door and the rear path, close covers firmly and turn the machine off and on. Then print a test page. A jam in the document feeder is separate and is cleared from the feeder cover. If jams repeat, clean the paper pickup rollers with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened, and use fresh, flat paper. Fan the stack and keep it below the mark.
If jams start after a move, check that the machine is level and that nothing blocks the rear, since the paper path needs clearance behind on machines with a rear jam cover. If jams began with a new ream, try another brand, since paper that is too slick or too rough can double feed, and check the paper size setting on the machine matches what is loaded. Keep a small flashlight by the machine; a jam that seems invisible is often a small triangle of paper on a roller that only shows when you look along the path with a light.
Differential
Likely causes of “Brother printers shows a paper jam or repeatedly jams”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Overfilled or mixed paper
What separates it The paper jams on feeding because the tray is overfilled or holds mixed paper
How to confirm Load one type of paper, and keep the stack below the limit mark
- 2
A torn scrap left inside
What separates it The jams repeat because a torn scrap is left inside the machine
How to confirm Remove every fragment of paper from inside the machine
- 3
A cover not closed
What separates it The jam message stays because a cover is not closed
How to confirm Close every cover firmly, until each one clicks into place
- 4
Dirty pickup rollers
What separates it The paper skews or does not feed because the pickup rollers are dirty
How to confirm Clean the pickup rollers with a soft, slightly damp cloth
- 5
Damp paper
What separates it The pages come out wrinkled or jam because the paper is damp
How to confirm Use dry, flat paper, and store it in a dry place
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which jam location the display shows
- The paper type and the size that you loaded
- Whether a scrap of paper remains inside the machine
- Any other message that the display shows
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedTurn it off
ReversibleTurn the machine off and unplug it, before you reach inside to clear the jam.
Identify the jam
ReversibleIdentify the jam, which on inkjets is shown as A, B or C, on the display.
Remove the paper gently
ReversibleRemove the paper gently, pulling in the direction of travel, so that it does not tear.
Remove scraps
ReversibleRemove scraps of paper, so that no fragments remain in the paper path, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Close covers
ReversibleClose covers firmly, since an open cover keeps the jam message on the display, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reload correctly
ReversibleReload the paper correctly, keeping the stack below the limit mark, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Print a test page
ReversiblePrint a test page, to confirm that the paper feeds properly again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Inkjet
- MFC-J models label jams A, B and C by location.
- Laser
- MFC-L models jam near the drum and fuser.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models L5915DW, L8905CDW, L3295CDW, L2460DW, L2640DW, J1010DW, J4535DW, QL-820NWB label printer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the message returns with no paper, check every door and the rear path
- !If jams repeat on fresh paper, the pickup rollers may be worn
- !If the machine is under warranty, contact Brother for a repair
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Jam A, B and C locations.
Power, connection, Recover WLAN and Windows checks.
New toner, installation, drum and corona wire.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I find where the jam is?+
The display names the location, such as Jam A, B or C.
Should I pull hard?+
No, do not pull hard, since that can tear the paper and leave scraps.
What if paper tears?+
If paper tears, remove every scrap, since even small pieces cause new jams.
Is the laser fuser hot?+
Yes, the laser fuser is hot, so let it cool before you reach inside.
Can damp paper jam?+
Yes, damp paper can jam, so use dry and flat paper.
Why does the message stay?+
A cover may be open or a scrap remains.
Can the duplex tray jam?+
Yes, the duplex tray can jam, on models that have a duplex unit.
Should I clean rollers?+
Clean the rollers if jams repeat, using a soft, slightly damp cloth.
Can a feeder jam differ?+
Yes, clear it from the feeder cover.
What does the D in a Brother model name mean?+
It means automatic duplex, and W means wireless, in Brother model names.
What is Brother iPrint&Scan?+
It is Brother's app for printing, scanning and firmware updates, from a phone or a computer.
Where do I download drivers?+
Use the Downloads section of Brother's support site, and pick the drivers for your model.
What is the Full Driver and Software Package?+
It is the complete installer for printing and scanning on Windows, with all the drivers and tools.
What is the Firmware Update Tool?+
It is a download that updates the machine's firmware from a computer that is connected to it.