202.17 Fuser Paper Jam on the Lexmark C73x/X73x Printers

Overview

The fuser design for the C73X and X73X series printers makes it difficult to remove certain paper jams in the fuser. If paper has jammed after hitting the exit sensor, yet does not make it past the exit rolls, the fuser will still continue to feed the paper into the fuser. An 'accordion jam' results. It cannot be removed from the printer without using a screwdriver. The upper-duplex guide located on the fuser is secured with a screw due to a safety requirement.

Paper Jam Example

A ripped piece of paper from a previous jam or a jam removal attempt can cause this jam. Click on the image below to enlarge:

Tools required for troubleshooting

Phillips head screw driver

Troubleshooting

If the printer is displaying a 202.17 Fuser Paper Jam and no paper can be located in the path, follow the steps below to determine if paper is caught between the fuser belt and the exit rollers.

NOTE: If you do not feel comfortable following the steps below, continue to CONTACTING LEXMARK.

Step	Action	Click Image to Enlarge
1	CAUTION! THE FUSER WILL BE VERY HOT WHEN FIRSTREMOVEDFROM THE PRINTER/MFP! Power off the printer and wait five minutes, then remove the fuser from the printer/MFP and place it on a flat surface.
2	Once the fuser has cooled, use the screwdriver to remove the screw securing the upper duplex guide to the fuser.
3	Unsnap the upper duplex guide from the fuser and rotate it up to allow access to the jam area.
4	This will allow you to see any paper jams and give the necessary access to remove them. NOTE:You may have to rotate the lower-duplex guide to fully clear the paper jam.
5	After clearing the jam (making sure to remove all fragments of paper), rotate the lower and upper-duplex guides back into position. Secure the upper-duplex guide to the fuser again with the screw previously removed. Then reinstall the fuser into the printer. Did the error message return? Yes: Continue to Contacting Lexmark.No: The error is resolved.	No Image