[header] How to unjam a paper shredder [title] Unplug the shredder. [substeps] As soon as you notice a jam beginning to form, stop the shredder to keep things from getting any worse. This gives you a chance to slow down, assess the situation and prepare to fix the jam. 
Jamming signs to be watchful for include a slowing down of the paper moving through the shredder, an outright stop, and a whirring, " straining " noise that should be readily obvious. [title] If needed, empty the wastebasket.