Diagnosis
This issue is typically caused by a failure in the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) pickup mechanism, specifically a loss of friction on the rubber intake rollers or a misalignment of the paper guides. When copying a single page, the motor has enough torque and the roller has enough grip to pull one sheet. However, when a stack is loaded, the cumulative weight and the "stiction" between sheets cause the roller to slip, resulting in a multi-page jam or a failure to pull the second sheet.
Another common cause is the accumulation of paper dust and adhesive residue on the separation pad—the small rubber piece that ensures only one page is pulled at a time. If this pad is worn or dirty, the printer may attempt to pull multiple sheets simultaneously, causing them to accordion inside the narrow feeder track. You can confirm this by observing if the printer displays a "Paper Jam" error (usually Error 1316) specifically at the ADF entry point rather than the internal print carriage area.
How to Fix It
Follow these precise steps to restore the feeder's grip and clear the mechanism:
- Clear the Path: Open the ADF cover and check for any tiny scraps of paper or staples lodged in the feed slot. Use a flashlight to inspect the narrow gap where the paper enters the scanner bed.
- Clean the Pickup Rollers: Locate the grey rubber rollers inside the ADF. Dampen a lint-free microfiber cloth with distilled water (do not use rubbing alcohol as it can dry out the rubber). Firmly wipe the rollers, rotating them manually to clean the entire circumference. Dry them with a clean section of the cloth.
- Reset the Paper Guides: Slide the plastic paper guides outward and then snugly back against the edges of your stack. The guides should be tight enough to hold the paper straight but not so tight that they pinch the sheets, which creates artificial resistance.
- Optimize the Load: Ensure you are not exceeding the 20-sheet capacity for plain paper. Fan the edges of the paper stack before loading to break the vacuum seal between pages.
- Configure Settings: On the TR8620a home screen, select [Copy] > [Copy Settings] > [Document Type]. Ensure this is set to "Plain Paper." If you are using thicker stock, the ADF may struggle; switch to the flatbed glass for anything over 20lb bond paper.
If That Didn't Work
- Deep Clean the Separation Pad: If the roller is clean but it still pulls multiple pages, use a cotton swab dipped in a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to clean the small rubber friction pad located opposite the pickup roller. This removes the "glaze" of paper dust that causes slippage.
- Check for ADF Gear Slippage: Gently lift the ADF tray. If you feel a "clicking" or loose movement, a plastic gear tooth may have snapped. In this case, the ADF assembly (Part No. RM2-2445-000 or equivalent) usually requires replacement as these gears are not individually serviceable.
- Perform a Hard Power Reset: Unplug the power cord from the back of the TR8620a while the unit is ON. Wait exactly 60 seconds. This clears the temporary memory of the sensors and resets the ADF motor timing.
- Test with Different Paper Brand: Some high-gloss or ultra-smooth papers have a low coefficient of friction. Try a standard 20lb copy paper; if that works, the issue is the paper surface, not the printer hardware.
Heads Up
- Avoid Staples: Never run a document through the ADF that has staples or paper clips; even a small scratch on the roller can lead to permanent jamming.
- Paper Weight Limits: The ADF is designed for standard office paper. Using cardstock or heavy photo paper in the feeder will likely strip the gears or cause a permanent jam.
- Dust Prevention: Keep the printer in a low-dust environment. Paper dust is the primary cause of "ghost jams" where the sensor thinks there is paper even when the path is clear.
- Regular Cleaning: Every 500 pages scanned, wipe the rollers with a damp cloth to prevent the buildup of ink and paper residue.