Having good printers at work is fun, but when they can't be used it can be frustrating. These are the most common Printer Problems and How to Solve them, including the printer not printing at all to blocked nozzles and other problems.
Printer Problems and How to Solve Them
Printers can run with l for years and thousands of prints, but they can also malfunction or stop working completely. Sometimes the reason is as simple as over-use or under-use. Many people don't use their inkjet printers often enough and this can cause problems with dry ink blocking the nozzles. Overuse is less common than misuse: paper clips, hair bands and even food can fall into the printer and cause paper jams (and worse).
There are many reasons why a printer won't print, so start with the basics like checking to see if there's an error message or warning light on the printer. Make sure there is paper in the tray, check that the ink or toner cartridge is not empty, the USB cable is connected or the printer is connected to Wi-Fi. And if it's a network or wireless printer, try using a USB cable instead.
In some experiences, some Wi-Fi printers can't compete in terms of their connection. So it's a good idea to unplug the printer and the powerline network adapter it's connected to, then turn everything back on.
Sometimes the reason the printer won't print is because it installed some software that has a 'virtual' printer and this has set itself as the default. When pressing Print, the file will be saved by this virtual printer instead of the document sent to the physical printer.
- To check, open Control Panel from the Start menu. Then go to Devices and Printers, right click the correct printer to use and set it as default. (While there, it can also make sure the printer status is set to Ready. Otherwise, this could be the source of the problem.)
- Next, make sure that the correct printer is selected in the program it prints from – you will see an option to choose from a list as shown in the image below.
- Microsoft has a printing troubleshooter that can help identify problems. Click the Repair button, download and run the program, then follow the next steps.
- Next proceed by opening Control Panel, Devices and Printers, right-clicking the printer icon and selecting Troubleshoot. It doesn't always help, but it's worth a try.
Is it Necessary to Replace the Cartridge?
The printer warns that the ink is running out before it actually happens. If you print only occasionally, the remaining ink or tonermight will last a few more weeks, if not months. Order a new cartridge as soon as it appears, but do not install it until it stops printing or the colors fade. The trick with laser printers is to remove the low cartridge and gently shake it from side to side.
This sometimes allows the remaining toner to be used. In other cases a counter is used and after a certain number of pages have been printed, the cartridge is considered empty. If the color ink has run out, but you need to continue printing, you might be able to set the printer to print only in black and white.
This is the setting you'll find in the printer properties in Control Panel – or click an option when going to print via the application you want to print.
Why Does the Printer Give an "Error" Notification?
There are several possible reasons, but the most common are paper related. The first thing to check is if the input tray is empty, but it's also worth checking for paper jams. If you find one, try to figure out why it happened instead of just removing a crumpled sheet of paper from the paper tray and assuming you've fixed it.
Remove the paper from the tray, open all the lids and look inside. It may take a flashlight to see through the paper and long tongs to reach it, especially if only a small piece has been torn off and left inside. Look under the printer as there may be a removable access panel to check and clean the paper-feed mechanism.
Paper can absorb moisture, which makes it stick and is then pulled through two or more sheets at once. Also, try using thinner paper most home printers will only handle photo paper optimally. They usually can't print on the card because it's too stiff.
Why is the Print Quality Bad?
The nozzles on the inkjet printer head can become clogged causing horizontal stripes on prints and poor or incorrect colors. Cleaning the print head can solve the problem. The procedure varies from printer to printer and there may be options on the printer control panel or in the printer software on the computer.
- It may be necessary to look for it in the manual in the printer properties (either in the application or in the Windows Control Panel) it may find the maintenance section.
- Click and can clean the print head or align it. Head cleaning kits are available for around Rp. 150,000,- although you have to compare that to the cost of a new cartridge – there is no guarantee the cleaning kit will solve the problem.
- Paper type affects print quality and copy paper may be disappointing.
- It can be too absorbent and the inkjet ink seeps into it like blotting paper. Buy good quality paper for the best printing results, and this is usually from the printer brand itself, especially for printing photos.
- Laser printers are less dependent on paper, and a smudge or speck in the same place on every page usually means there is dirt somewhere on the printer, usually on the 'drum'.
- Be careful when cleaning the imaging drum, using only isopropyl alcohol and a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Read the manufacturer's guide on how to remove and clean the drum, which is often called the OPC.
Make sure to carry out all processes carefully so as not to make the condition of the printer worse. Hopefully some of the tips above regarding Printer Problems and How to Solve Them can be useful.