Printers - I'm f'ing furious!

So we got a new cheapie printer not long ago and it's been working fine. But the kittens have developed an obsession with digging in houseplants and have managed to get dirt into it (yes, I've moved the plant - outside - and I did my very best to clean things up carefully.) Well all I can guess is that a bit of bark or something got into the mechanism because suddenly the paper won't feed through.

If I push the paper down into it it goes through (on the left but not on the right) and gets stuck. I've done everything I can think of from brushing everything thoroughly to tipping the bloody thing upside down and shaking it. I can't seem to get the cover off or I'd try to pull it apart to clean.

I don't suppose anyone can think of a way to clean between the rollers? It's strange because they seem to be spinning fine but the paper just will NOT feed through. And I have about a zillion things, including a job app. and some school work, to print.

Am I stuck with buying a new printer?

I'm SO aggravated right now. 

i'm not sure if it will work....but have you tried turning the entire printer upside down and shaking it vigourously?  i did the same thing (except i don't have any cute kittens to blame ) and when i turned it upside down and got all the remaining dirt out, it worked fine. 

if that doesn't work...i suppose my next suggestion would be to get in there with some tools (toothbrush, screw driver, whatever) and see if something blocking it....when it's unplugged ofcourse.

Have you tried a spray can of that compressed air stuff? Even if it doesn't work, you might have fun spraying the kitties with it! Bad kitties for breaking mummy's new printer!!

shouldnt you be furious at the cats, rather than the printer? 

shouldnt you be furious at the cats, rather than the printer? 

LOL. Well, yes. And I am. But it happened in the night in the spare room so I didn't hear the commotion (or else they were stealth diggers...) so I'm trying to contain my extreme irritation against them. Until I catch 'em in the act again on a different plant, that is. The little buggers. 

I tried shaking it upside down. No joy. I can't really get to where the jam appears to be, so the toothpick is out. But the spray air is a mighty fine idea. I may have to go out and find a can tomorrow....

And I bet they sat there with that "Who?  Us?"  look on their faces!   

I can't really add much which hasn't been suggested already, nor can I be more specific since there are so many different printer designs around.  Try the compressed air trick with the unit at various angles to try to blow out and dislodge the jam.  If that fails, a little dismantling is in order.    Older printers tended to be designed with maintenance in mind, and you could often release the platten for cleaning quite easily.  Unfortunately, the Made-in-China cheapies around these days have mostly been built without servicing in mind, so getting the things apart (and back together again afterward!) can be a little tricky.