20 April 2022 10:15

How do I fix my Ativa shredder?

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.

How do you fix a jammed Ativa shredder?

Quote from video on Youtube:Out I usually use my Leatherman to do this. Just go along pull all the papers out that are jammed tapping as it's jammed both ways. And as long as we can get those the majority of them clear.

What does red light on Ativa shredder mean?

Red light – Shredder has shred running time and overheating. If this happens, switch the shredder off for 50 minutes or longer before resuming normal operation.

What causes a paper shredder to stop working?

The machine suddenly stops in the middle of a job.



If this occurs, chances are your shredder just needs a break. Most of the smaller ones lack continuous-duty motors and can need as many as 20 minutes before they’re ready to go again. You should also check to see if the machine is jammed or if the waste basket is full.

Why does my Ativa shredder only work in reverse?

The shredder will only constantly run in the “Reverse” mode. The trigger located in the center of the feed entry slot, which activates the shredder, may be blocked. To clear it, you would need to insert an index card or file folder (i.e. rigid paper or cardstock) in the center of the feed slot and apply force.

How do you clean shredder blades?

Clean the shredder blades



Once a month, or after a major shredding project (such as at the end of a retention schedule), clear out the blades. After removing the remnant bits of paper, use a can of compressed air to clean out the dust and smallest pieces stuck in the blades.

Why does my Ativa shredder keep running?

If paper dust, debris or oil has covered the sensors it can break the signals (indicating to the shredder that paper is being entered) and can cause the shredder to run continuously. This is a little bit more of a problem on cross cut shredders since the oil can very easily cloud the sensors.

Who makes Ativa shredders?

Office Depot’s

Ativa is Office Depot’s private label, so you’ll find this shredder on sale only there. The design is a traditional, vertical top-feeding system, and the shredder includes a small flap that covers the feed slot as a sort of safety catch. The unit is quiet and unobtrusively small, despite a sizable 8.7-gallon waste bin.

How do you oil a shredder?

Quote from video on Youtube:The second method is the direct oiling method. This is where you directly apply the oil onto the shredders gears shred a few pieces of scrap paper then run the shredder in Reverse for a few seconds.

How long can you run a paper shredder?

It depends on the type of shredder, the quality of the shredder, and the security level. Most household shredders can shred between 5-10 minutes continuously before a cool-down period is needed. Professional shredders for offices can run for up to 30 minutes.

Where is the shredder sensor located?

On small shredders, the sensor is normally a mechanical sensor, which looks like a plastic bar or lever in the very center of the mouth of the shredder (where you normally insert the paper). When shredding small documents, such as checks or receipts, be sure that you are inserting the paper directly over this sensor.

How do you clean a shredder sensor?

Quote from video on Youtube:Two you can run cooking oil through here to soften up the paper. Three try to push it down with some hard paper or you can remove the cover. So you can clean the blades on the inside.

Do paper shredders have fuses?

Quote from video on Youtube:It just blows the fuse.

Do paper shredders overheat?

Overheating a Fellowes home use shredder is most likely to arise when shredding stored documents which have accumulated, where just too much volume needs to be shredded over one session. Your shredder may also be overheating more easily if the blades have not been oiled enough, so try oiling your shredder blades.

How do you reset an overheated shredder?

You most likely shredded continuously until it overheated. That causes the red light to come on and the shredder stops until it cools down after about 50 minutes. This is normal. There’s no reset.

How long does it take for a shredder to cool down?

about 10 to 15 minutes

You can run this shredder until the motor becomes warm . Cool down, I would say about 10 to 15 minutes .

How often do you need to oil a shredder?

You should oil cross-cut shredders each time you empty the waste basket or at least twice a month. Micro-cut shredders should be oiled more frequently, ideally, after every 15 minutes of use.

Can you use wd40 on shredders?

The answer is no. This product is not designed to lubricate a shredder head properly. Like other oils, such as vegetable or canola, WD-40 would cause the paper to stick together, inevitably gumming up and jamming the machine.

What can I use instead of shredder oil?

There is no good substitute for shredder oil. Shredder oil is a special type of oil that is designed to lubricate the shredding blades and help keep them cool. If you do not have shredder oil, you can try using vegetable or olive oil, but it is not recommended.

Can you use baby oil shredder?

Paper shredder not working like it used to? Soak several pieces of paper in baby oil and run them through the shredder, which will help lubricate the blades and make them run smoothly for future shredding purposes.

Is 3 in 1 oil suitable for shredders?

The mechanism is so simple virtually any oil (I wouldn’t use car oil) will work just fine. Dry oil, vegetable oil, shredder oil, 3-in-1, etc. If you use vegetable oil don’t pour straight from the bottle as you will pour too much.

Can you use wax paper to lubricate shredder?

You can get wax paper from almost anywhere, and it is a nice alternative to oil. Just run the wax paper through your shredder as you would normal paper. Depending on the frequency, one or two sheets will help to lubricate the cutting cylinders.

Do all paper shredders need to be oiled?

All paper shredders need to be oiled because paper dust builds up inside the cutting assembly. As a guide, oil your cross-cut shredder every 1/2 hour of shredding time.