I have a Royal 7X Shredder which has developed a problem recently. The motor appears to try and run when paper is inserted, but the blades will only cut a 1/4 inch. The paper will not feed down into the cutting area. The unit works fine in reverse. Do you think I have some hidden paper jam or can a gear or sproket become disengaged and unable to turn the mechanism that feeds it through the cutting blades?

It is possible the blades are running in reverse. If the motor is running and the blades are turning without putting paper in, check the position of the switch. The motor should not turn on automatically when repositioning the switch. Reposition the switch so the light is on, but the motor does not run. Then try to put in paper. I hope this helps.

Try removing the shredder head from the bin and look for scrap of paper jamming up the blades.
Run it open, laid on its back.
Check visually for bent cutting blades.
Are the two shafts (with mounted blades) parallel?
A shaft may have come loose inside head assembly.

Does the machine even run in reverse???? Have you ever oiled the machine.???
Put some "shredder oil" onto the cutting blades while it is running in reverse then try running it forwards.
If you can hear the motor running but the cutting blades dont turn you will have to open it up to see what is broken.
For parts assistance you can contact Royal at 1-800-524-0799.

Try running the machine in reverse and putting some shredder oil onto the cutting blades to loosen things up. Then try running the machine in the forward direction but hold the paper in the eyes but dont let it go into the shredding blades...see if it runs forward.!
If it will do this then slowly try paper 1 sheet at a time..but put some shredder oil onto the sheets of paper you are shredding.
If the overload light still comes on without even letting you shred 1 sheet of paper then you likely have another problem...maybe the motor or pcb..you can contact Royal at 1-800-524-0799 for parts assistance.

Does the motor run??? even in reverse???
If the motor doeas not run at all it probably PCB. If the motor does run but the cutting mechanism does not turn then you probably have stripped/broken plastic gears... open and check,...contact Royal at 1-800-524-0799 for parts assistance.

If the motor runs but the cutting teeth dont turn then you have stripped or broken a gear in the drive train. You can get replacement parts from Royal at 1-800-524-0799.

First thing you have to do is clear all jammed paper. Second..try running machine; if the motor runs and the blades turn put some shredder oil into the cutting blades as lubricant. If the motor wont run you have probably blown the pcb because of too much paper... to get replacement part call Royal at 1-800-524-0799.

Some shredders aren't designed to shred anything more than paper. Credit cards, staples, paper clips and the like could have jammed it up. Try running the shredder in reverse and oiling the blades. More help with paper shredder oil here: http://hubpages.com/hub/Paper-Shredder-Oil

If you can't get the paper shredder up and running, it looks like you might have to pick up a new paper shredder. Paper shredders can be pretty cheap though, great guide to cheap paper shredders here: http://hubpages.com/hub/Best-Paper-Shredders

Try cleaning the "eyes" in the middle where you insert the paper, have you ever lubricated/oiled the cutting blades????
If neither of these remedies work you may need parts...you can contact Royal at 1-800-524-0799.

Try pouring some shredder oil into the cutting blades where you insert the paper then run the unit in reverse for a while. Then put some of the shredder oil onto a sheet of paper and try shredding the sheet of paper. Some lubrication on a x-cut shredder does not hurt.