This study investigates the influence of paper lint adhesion on the frictional characteristics of rubber rollers used in multifunction printers (MFPs). Contamination of roller surfaces by fine paper particles after extensive operation is recognized as a major cause of paper-feeding failures, including paper jams. However, the mechanism by which such contaminants affect frictional behavior has not yet been fully elucidated. The objective of this work is to clarify the influence of paper lint adhesion on both friction and wear mechanisms. The study demonstrates that the frictional characteristics cannot be accurately predicted solely by the optical measurement of paper lint accumulation, primarily because particle refinement caused by frictional interaction alters the effective contact state. Consequently, a friction-based evaluation approach is proposed as a more reliable method for quantifying paper lint adhesion and its effect on roller performance.