Wrinkled, Crumpled, or Folded Pages Coming Out
Pages coming out of your printer wrinkled or creased? This could be paper quality, settings, or mechanical issues. Here's how to get smooth prints.
What's Happening
Your prints are coming out with wrinkles, creases, folds, or that accordion-like crumpling. Instead of nice flat pages, you're getting paper that looks like it went through a struggle. This problem is usually caused by either the paper itself, the way it's being fed, or something mechanical in the paper path that's catching or bunching the sheets.
Quick Checks (Do These First)
- Is the paper damp? Paper absorbs humidity and wrinkles when heated.
- Are you using the right paper weight? Too light or too heavy can cause issues.
- Is the paper curled before printing? Flatten it or flip the stack.
- Is the paper tray overfilled? This can cause feed problems.
- For laser printers: is the fuser getting too hot? Check paper type settings.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Fix 1: Check and Replace Paper
- Remove all paper from the tray
- Check if the paper is curled, wavy, or damp
- If paper is humid, use a fresh ream from sealed packaging
- Store paper in a cool, dry place - not in the printer for weeks
- Load paper with any natural curl facing DOWN in the tray
Fix 2: Verify Paper Settings Match Paper Type
- Check your printer's paper type setting (plain paper, thick, thin, etc.)
- In print settings, make sure paper weight matches what you're using
- For laser printers: wrong settings can cause the fuser to overheat the paper
- Try setting paper type to "Light" or "Thin" if pages are overheating
Fix 3: Inspect the Paper Path
- Open the printer and look for any obstacles
- Check for worn or missing paper guides
- Look for anything sticky or raised that could catch paper
- Make sure all guides are properly aligned
- Check that fuser rollers (laser printers) aren't damaged
Fix 4: Clean and Check Rollers
- Dirty rollers can grip paper unevenly
- Clean all rollers with a damp lint-free cloth
- Check for flat spots or damage on rollers
- Make sure rollers spin freely without sticking
If Nothing Worked
Try printing on a heavier weight paper (24lb or 28lb instead of 20lb). Also check if the problem happens with all documents or just certain ones - very image-heavy prints can cause more paper stress in inkjets due to moisture.
When to Call a Pro
Consistent wrinkling often indicates worn fuser components (laser) or damaged feed mechanisms. If the problem persists after paper changes and cleaning, internal parts may need adjustment or replacement.
Need Professional Help?
If you're in the Tampa Bay area and need hands-on assistance, Geeks in Sneaks provides friendly, on-site tech support in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, and Dunedin.
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