Schredder on my Fellowes DM15C doesn't stop running after paper is fully schredded.
Note that the sensors that tells the shredder to stop are underneath the unit.
Pull out the tray, put the unit on the side and you'll see two places where there are two flat-head phillips screws holding the optical sensors in place (no need to unscrew them). Just wipe the visible part of those two sensors with a rag.
The sensors that are readily visible on top of the unit tells the shredder when to start.
Posted on Jun 25, 2009
Just got back from emergency room with second degree burns all over left hand after spraying compressed air onto optical paper sensors. Don't do this! Use a q-tip!!!
Posted on May 29, 2008
Have the DS-12C / 32080 also. After a moderate amount of shredding it will just keep running. Sometimes it will be in the auto position and not running (waiting for paper to be inserted), and then for no apparent reason it will just start running (like in the middle of the night) no doubt this is due to dust collecting. Q-tip with alcohol works best for me over compress air. Actually the Q-tip is perfect size to thoroughly clean the sensor (which I believe is in the middle of the unit). But since I don't want to freak out at 3AM in the morning I generally leave mine off.
Posted on Mar 16, 2008
The paper sensor is stuck, actually a pretty common problem with many auto shredders. Basically the sensor for auto shredding thinks that there is still paper in the unit so it won't shut off. This can easily be caused by shred debris. Shooting some compressed air into the unit may help but usually it requires a bit more effort. Sadly, these guys can be quite hazardous to repair so I would not really suggest trying to open the unit unless you really know what you are doing.
Posted on Aug 30, 2007
Just FYI never,never shoot any aerosol or petroleum based products in your shredder. This is a fire hazard.
Posted on Feb 22, 2008
Try the following. Turn off and unplug the unit. Moisten a q-tip with alcohol and gently clean the face of the sensors just inside the slot at the top.
Posted on Sep 27, 2007
This and all shredders are unsafe. Fellowes are not specifically to blame, just the technology of optical shut-off and unavoidable paper dust. The only safe design would be an always-off, hold down button to shred design which is much less convenient, but an automatic shredder may conceivably cause a building to burn down.
My advice is make a big sticker that says "Must be unplugged from outlet after each use". Put it right on the top by the controls.
In my case I returned home, heard the sound and found a red hot shredder, before it started a fire. I let it get cold and then cleaned it up with alcohol, but I'll never leave it plugged in again.
Problem solved.
Posted on Aug 08, 2009
Fellowes Shredder Comment: I have a DM6; this is a factory replacement for another Fellowes shredder that had the same problem. Cleaning the transmitter and receiver photodiodes in the feed gap did nothing to fix the problem. It appears (with both units) that after the unit warms up, the sensitivity to the "paper in gap" signal changes, and the unit reverts to "always on," since it appears to work OK after initial power up and a brief run of one sheaf of papers. After that, it runs continuously, and it must be powered off. I keep the unit switched off when not in use since I don't trust it, and the motors in these units are not meant for continuous operation, thus they can be a potential fire hazard. Since there were no adjustment potentiometers on the PC board inside the unit, it appears that the sensitivity must be "hard coded" with the values of the installed PC board electronic components. I called Fellowes while the original unit was under warranty. They shipped me a new unit and wanted me to ship the old one back, at my expense - NO WAY. I took the original unit back to where I bought it and got a refund since I had the original receipt. I figure that they owe me that much just for wasting my time having to call them about getting a replacement. One more example of a company marketing inferior chinese dog **** products.
Posted on Oct 10, 2008
Actually, the cheapest shredders like mine, the NoviTech, are not rocket science. I have, at one time, had it so jammed it quit working, and took my screw driver and removed the cover and spent several hours clipping out the shreds of paper that had gotten stuck in it. I learned this shredded doesn't really like more than two sheets at one time. When my shredder wouldn't cut off, I came to this site. There's a sensor in the center of the shredder that had some of the shredded paper sort of "stuffed" around it. I unplugged the unit, stuck a letter opener into it and just "loosed" the shreds until that sensor was exposed. Plugged it back in and it worked fine, and is now continuing to work fine. Thanks for the solution!
Posted on Dec 02, 2007
I found an excellent company for all
of my <a rel='nofollow' href="http://www.opsus.com/">paper shredding</a>
needs. They come to pick up the documents in locked containers. I have
been using this company for some time. They are very timely and efficient.
Check them out http://www.opsus.com
Posted on Sep 07, 2010
SOURCE: short run time and redlight, stops running Fellowes DM15C
There are two sensors (look like little light bulbs) on the top part of the shredder at either end of the blades. If you pull out the drawer and turn the shredder upside down you will see them. They get dirty telling the machine that it is full and needs to be emptied. Clean the sensors off with an alcohol wipe. If cleaning them does not work you need to replace the sensors.
Posted on Aug 26, 2008
SOURCE: My Fellowes shredder DM17Cs won't stop running unless shut off
Blow some canned air down into the feed slot to clean the sensors.
Posted on Nov 20, 2009
SOURCE: PS60C-2 Shredder: Fellowes P50CM paper shreader motor runs but cutte...
One of the drive gears has stripped its teeth, usually caused by overloading the machine. These are personal shredders and parts are not available in my experience.Sorry.
Posted on May 14, 2010
17,595 views
Usually answered in minutes!
I have a dm12c model with the same problem as the dm15c. The shredder would not shut off after last paper was shredded. I saw a possible solution of using compressed air into the feed. After 10 seconds of cleaning, the shredder worked fine. I was very pleased to find a solution on your site.
Thanks for the help. C.D.
Same problem. Compressed air did not work after several lengthy tries. Where is the sensor?
I have a DS-12C /crc 32080 it will not shut off after paper is shredded
Just as you said, after some moderate shredding it kept running and once I came home to find it running. One time I cleaned the two sensors and that solved the problem. The second time, I got tired of doing everything possible and just shut it off. Days later it worked fine. After experiencing the problem again last night and cleared every scrap of paper and dust to no avail. Losing my temper and bruising my hand with a childish blow to the top didn't help.
However,,,,,,,, this morning it is working fine. Has to be something with the motor heating up.
So make sure you leave it in the off position so that it doesn't turn on while you are away, overheat and set your house on fire.
Don't EVER spray compressed air into a paper shredder! Even if there is no warning on the compressed air can about being flammable! This can cause a massive explosion! Fire Hazard my *ss! Massive explosion is what happens! I had the same issue with my automatic sensor in early September and my compressed air can had no warnings on it. The shredder exploded like a pipe bomb went off when I switched it on. DO NOT TRY THIS!
I purchased the Powershred DM15C in April 2007 on or about Nov.2008, the shredder shut off function stopped working & the unit runs constantly. The only way to stop it is buy either opening the drawer,or turning off the main switch.
I've tried cleaning the sensor eye with air & alcohol with no results.
I've used it on some pretty heavy shredding jobs & it works great. I even ran it until it got hot & shut down,which took alot of shredding.
When I purchased this unit, it was claimed that it originally retailed for $459.95 which is actually a "Joke", but I only paid $152.00 which is acceptable.
Signed, Baltimore, Md (3/15/09)
My Fellowes DM15C has the same problem. When it first started happening I could clean off the eye and it would solve the problem for a while. Now it won't solve the problem at all. I have to unplug it after I use it (which is a real hassle) because my cat will jump up on it and accidentally turn it on and it will run until the motor overheats. I think they should issue a recall, because it seems like a safety issue to me.
×