A machine error where a printer, scanner, or copier halts operation and reports a paper jam, despite the paper path being completely clear. These faults are usually caused by dirty optical sensors, worn feed rollers, or tiny scraps of torn paper hiding deep inside the mechanism. They force workers to open and slam every access door repeatedly to clear the false flag.
Heard on the job
The copier on the second floor is throwing a phantom jam again, so just open tray two and shut it hard.
Also heard as
- ghost jam