I'm an intern at a law firm and i shred papers everyday. Sometimes the shredder stops working and when i feel it it feels really hot so i assume its overheated due to shredding (i shred probably 1000+ papers in a row). This is fine. Recently, i was using the shredder and it starting making a clacking noise, like running a stick across a picket fence rapidly. I thought it was stuck or something so i turned it off and then tried to clean out the bottom as best i could. I put it back together and turned it on and as soon as papers are sensed by the little sensor, the clacking noise resumes. I looked to see if the metal shredders (the grinders? not sure what they're called) were moving like they do when something is sensed but they were not. Im afraid to keep trying in fear of further damage. Let me know what the problem is and what i can do. Thank you.

Was anyone in the office during that week, like contract cleaners, or any other staff or maintenance staff?

Sounds to me like someone has been using it, using it too long, adding to much paper in a hurry and shattered or shredded some internal gears. They get soft when they get hot and no one reads the manual where is says to use for no longer than 5 minutes, with a 20 minutes rest.

Strip it down and look. I am pretty sure you can get Royal Spares here.

Royal Parts - SHREDDERPARTS.COM

https://shredderparts.com > royal-parts
Sometimes, the basic methods of troubleshooting and shredder repair will ... paper shredder parts that you need, we may add Royal paper shredder parts at ...


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Check the Power Ensure that the shredder top is firmly placed in the shredder basket if the unit will not operate. If the top is not in place the feeder will not work and accept any paper. Make sure it is firmly plugged into the wall outlet and that the outlet is active. Rest the Shredder Let the shredder cool down if the shredder has been running continuously for a long time. It may have overheated and needs to be left in the off position for at least 30 minutes to reset. Verify the basket is empty or not too full as that will cause the shredder to deactivate. Clear Paper Jam Rotate the shredder into "Auto" and reverse to loosen any paper jam that is stopping the gears. Pull out any papers that are sticking out from the shredder feeder. If there is no progress then unplug the shredder and remove the shredder top from the bin. Turn it upside down and use tweezers to free any paper that is blocking the gear. Auto Mode Not Working Select the "Auto" option and feed paper into the center of the feeder tray if the shredder is only working in reverse mode. The sensor is located in the middle of the feeder tray and could be blocked by jammed paper. Use an index card to firmly unblock any paper that could be blocking the sensor.

Sometimes spraying shredder oil on the cutting teeth wil work.

You should shred paper with a light weight machine oil poured on the paper to keep the cutting teeth working freely.

Good luck.

P.S. If this doesn't work then just take the head off and cleanj/lubricate any bearings you find.

You can try putting some oil into the throat where you normally put the paper....back and forwards across the opening...see if that loosens things up.

I think there is a shredded buildup on the bottom. Unlpug the device ... turn it over and clear out the residue you will find there.

Sometimes I find the addition of shredder oil during the shredding process helps to eliminate this problem. Get the oil where shredders are sold.

I'm assuming that it automatically detects the presence of paper... .

By opening the drawer you're disabling it from the safety switch. (they dont want you to shred your fingers from the bottom) There is probably a small piece of paper holding the feed sensor down.

If you're confidant, unplug the unit and take apart the plastic cover. Do not remove anything inside. Look for the small switch between the blades which 'feels' the presence of paper. There is probably a small piece of paper wedged between the housing and the switch which would fool the unit into thinking it has paper that still needs to be shredded.
Carefully put your unit back together and happy shredding.
This may happen often, remember what you did!!!

Yes they require lubrication

You can buy shredder oil from lots of office equipment suppliers

To see if it helps spray some WD40 (using the plastic extender) into either side of the opening where you normally put the paper.

Switch the machine on to run continually and give the blades another good spray

This should loosed up any dust which has gathered

If the machine picks up its pace then go buy some real shredder oil and use it before every operation

Do not go mad with the amount you apply but dont skimp