Keep Your Paper Flowing Smoothly

When your copier starts misfeeding or jamming paper more often than usual, there’s a good chance the pickup rollers or feed tires are to blame. These small but essential parts are responsible for grabbing and guiding sheets of paper from the tray into the print path. Over time, they wear down — and that’s when problems start.

What Are Pickup Rollers & Feed Tires?

Pickup rollers and feed tires are rubber or synthetic rollers located in the paper feed section of your copier. Their job is to:

• Pull paper one sheet at a time from the paper tray

• Feed it smoothly through the machine’s internal print path

• Prevent double-feeding or paper skewing

Depending on the model, they may be separate rollers or part of a single roller assembly.

Common Signs of Worn Rollers

• Frequent paper jams at the start of printing

• Multiple sheets feeding at once (double-feed)

• Skewed or misaligned prints

• Paper not feeding at all (you hear the machine try but nothing pulls)

These issues typically indicate the rollers have lost grip due to dust buildup or wear.

How to Maintain or Replace Them

• Clean regularly using a lint-free cloth and a mild rubber roller cleaner or isopropyl alcohol

• Inspect for cracks, smooth spots, or flattening — all signs of wear

• Replace them after a certain page count, as recommended by the copier’s maintenance schedule

Some newer Sharp copiers even have roller counters in service mode to track usage — making it easier to know when they’re due for replacement.

Why It Matters

Neglecting feed rollers can lead to recurring service calls, lost productivity, and increased wear on other parts. Replacing or cleaning them is a quick, cost-effective way to keep your machine running smoothly.