A jammed paper shredder is a common office frustration, but before you consider buying a replacement, most jams are easily fixable with a little patience and the right technique.
If none of the above works after an hour of trying, and the motor smells or doesn’t run at all, consider: how to fix a jammed paper shredder
| Symptom | Probable Cause | Recommended Action | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Stripped plastic gear inside drive train | Disassembly required to replace gear or replace unit. | | Shredder runs in Reverse only | Paper debris blocking the "Forward" sensor | Clean the sensor eyes (usually located in the center of the feed slot) with a cotton swab. | | Shredder does not run at all | Overheated motor (thermal fuse trip) | Allow unit to cool for 30–60 minutes. Most units reset automatically. | | Grinding noise | Broken gear tooth or foreign object (staple/staple) | Inspect teeth for damage; remove debris. | A jammed paper shredder is a common office
Once your shredder is humming again, keep it that way with these maintenance tips: | | Shredder does not run at all
