A system and method for judging a paper jam condition in a device, such as an image forming apparatus, including the steps of checking a feed sensor unit, operating a timer, and if it is judged that the feed sensor unit is switched to an "ON" state, calculating a value T₁ for a fuse lamp drive unit of the apparatus to be in an "ON" state. The system and method then directs a comparison of the value T₁ with a reference value T₂, and judges a paper jam condition exists and aborts a printing operation if the value T₁ is out of an error range of the T₂. The paper jam condition is detected through the use of a feed sensor unit and monitoring of the fuser control, therefore a discharge sensor unit is not required at a discharging side of the image forming apparatus for sensing the paper jam condition.