How to troubleshoot and fix a printer that is not picking up paper from the tray or feeding multiple sheets at once

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to troubleshoot and fix a printer that is not picking up paper from the tray or feeding multiple sheets at once. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Paper feed problems are among the most common printer issues, and the good news is they are usually straightforward to resolve. Whether your printer is leaving sheets untouched in the tray or pulling through several pages at once, the cause is typically related to paper alignment, roller condition, or paper quality. This guide walks you through the steps to diagnose and fix the problem on both inkjet and laser printers.

Quick Fix Steps

If you are short on time, work through these checks first. Most paper feed issues are resolved within this list.

1. Remove the paper tray and confirm the stack is correctly aligned between the width guides and length guide.
2. Fan the paper stack and reload it, ensuring it sits flat and does not exceed the maximum fill line marked inside the tray.
3. Verify the paper size and type in the printer's settings match what is actually loaded in the tray.
4. Inspect the pickup roller for dust, debris, or worn rubber, and clean it if accessible.
5. Try a fresh ream of paper, particularly if the current stock has been stored in a humid environment.

Detailed Instructions

Check the Paper Tray and Guides

Misaligned paper guides are the single most common cause of feed problems. When guides are too loose, sheets skew and jam. When too tight, the roller cannot grip the top sheet properly.

1. Pull the paper tray completely out of the printer.
2. Remove all paper and check for any torn scraps, sticky labels, or foreign objects left behind.
3. Slide the width guides in until they rest gently against the paper stack — not so tight that they bow the paper, and not so loose that sheets can shift.
4. Adjust the length guide at the front of the tray so it sits flush against the edge of the paper.
5. Confirm the paper stack sits below the maximum fill indicator (usually a small triangle or line moulded into the tray).
6. Push the tray firmly back into the printer until it clicks into place.

Inspect Paper Type and Condition

Paper that is damp, curled, or outside the printer's supported weight range will not feed reliably. Printer manufacturers specify a paper weight range, typically between 60 gsm and 105 gsm for standard trays.

• Store paper in its original wrapper, in a dry location, until you are ready to use it.
• Do not load paper that has been printed on one side, as the curl will cause misfeeds.
• Avoid mixing paper types in the same tray — keep plain paper separate from labels, cardstock, or envelopes.
• Fan the stack before loading to separate sheets that may be sticking together, which causes multi-feed issues.

Clean the Pickup Roller

The pickup roller is the rubber component that grabs paper from the tray and feeds it into the printer. Over time it collects dust, paper fibres, and ink residue, which reduces grip and causes misfeeds.

1. Turn the printer off and unplug it from the power point.
2. Remove the paper tray to expose the pickup roller area.
3. Locate the roller — it is usually visible at the top of the tray slot or behind a small access panel.
4. Dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water (do not soak it) and gently wipe the roller surface.
5. Rotate the roller by hand and clean the entire circumference.
6. Allow the roller to dry completely for at least five minutes before reinserting the tray and powering the printer back on.

Check the Printer Settings

If the hardware looks fine but feed problems persist, the printer driver settings may be telling the device to expect a different paper size or type than what is loaded.

1. On Windows, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your printer, and click Printer properties.
2. On macOS, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click Options & Supplies.
3. Confirm the paper size and media type match the paper loaded in the tray.
4. Save any changes and run a test print.

Troubleshooting

The Printer Still Skips Pages or Pulls Multiple Sheets

• Try loading paper from a different ream — the current batch may be sticking together due to static or humidity.
• Check whether the paper separators or feed pads inside the tray are worn. These parts are replaceable on most models and your printer manufacturer will sell them as a kit.
• If you are using glossy or photo paper, ensure the printer's media type is set to Glossy or Photo, as plain paper settings can cause the rollers to grip too aggressively.

The Paper Tray Will Not Pick Up Any Sheets

• Confirm the tray is fully inserted and the printer recognises it — some models display a tray status message on the control panel.
• Try feeding a single sheet manually through the bypass or multi-purpose tray, if your printer has one. This helps determine whether the issue is with the tray mechanism or the printer as a whole.
• Inspect the pickup roller for wear. If the rubber appears shiny, cracked, or flattened, it will need replacement.

The Problem Only Happens with Envelopes or Labels

• Load envelopes with the flap side facing down and the address side facing up, unless your printer specifies otherwise.
• Feed envelopes one at a time through the manual feed slot rather than stacking them in the main tray.
• Use labels specifically designed for laser or inkjet printers, and never load sheets where labels have started to peel away from the backing.

For related issues, see our guides on printer not printing or showing offline, clearing a printer paper jam, and fixing a printer that is printing blank pages.

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