Image forming apparatus capable of suppressing occurrence of damage to image holding body caused by carrier

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an image holding body that rotates, an image forming unit, and a return operation controller. The image forming unit includes a charger, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a cleaning unit. The return operation controller causes a clean-up step to be executed in which the image holding body is cleaned while rotating the image holding body when returning from an emergency stop. In the clean-up step, the return operation controller reduces or zeroes out a pressing force between the transfer unit and the image holding body at least until a developing operation area on a surface of the image holding body that is stopped upon the emergency stop facing toward a direction in which the developing unit operates passes through a pressing area pressed by the transfer unit.