A+ Troubleshooting Printers

Check the basics. Ensure that it is plugged in, turned on, and properly connected. Some printers have an online/offline selection, and when it is offline, Windows treats it as though it is turned off. Setting it back to online allows everything to work normally.

The computer might give an error indicating the printer can't be contacted. Ensure that the data cables are connected. Sometimes reseating the cables by disconnecting and reconnecting them will resolve the problem.

If all users are having the same problem, ensure that the printer is on, connected, and configured. If only one user is having the problem, ensure that the user is sending the print job to the correct printer. You might need to reinstall the printer for that user's computer.

Check the rollers or tractor feed to ensure that they are working. In some cases, rollers can become dirty and work inconsistently. Cleaning them resolves the problem

Printers often crease the paper as it is fed through the paper path, but it should not be noticeable unless you're using a heavier bond paper. A solution is to send the paper through the feeder rather than through the paper tray

The first solution is to clear the jam, but you should also check the paper path to ensure that it is free of debris. Repeating paper jams can be due to using low quality paper or paper that has been exposed to high humidity. It's also possible that the pickup and separator rollers are worn and more than one sheet of paper is being picked up. Some printers report a paper jam when the rollers are unable to pick up the paper. Replacing the rollers with a maintenance kit might resolve the problem.

The most likely reason for this is using the wrong print driver. Double-check to ensure that the correct driver is installed, and if necessary, update the driver. This might also be due to a cable issue. For example, the maximum distance of a USB 2.0 cable is 5 meters (about 16 feet), and using a longer cable can result in a garbled output. Reseating the cable will ensure that you don't have a loose connection.

If the printer or the print spooler service has been paused, print jobs won't print. Instead, they stay in the queue. Resume the print spooler service. In some cases, the print spooler service just locks up, and the only way to resolve the problem is to restart it.

By default, the Everyone group is assigned Allow Print permission so that anyone can print. However, administrators can modify this. If you're seeing this error, it indicates that the user isn't authorized to use the printer.

In Windows XP, a user needs to be in the Power Users or Administrators group to install a printer, and if not, they will be unable to install a printer. Regular users can install printers on Windows 7.

If you see this on a laser printer, it could indicate that the toner is empty, although users would normally complain as the toner gets low. You can also see this after replacing a toner cartridge without removing the sealing tape. Last, it's possible that the charging process isn't occurring due to a problem with the high voltage power supply, the primary charge roller, or the corona wire.

This indicates that you're low on toner or ink. Replacing the toner, ink cartridge, or ink ribbon should eliminate this problem. On impact printers, this problem occurs if the ink ribbon stops moving.

Streaks on a laser printer are most likely the result of scratches on the imaging drum, especially if they are occurring in the same location on the printed page. The only solution is to replace the drum.

On inkjet printers, this can be caused by dirty or misaligned print heads. Use the software tools to clean and align them.

Ghosting can occur on laser printers after printing a dark image. Try printing a blank page between images. Also, you can reduce the resolution or darkness of the first page to eliminate the problem.

If the drum isn't adequately cleaned or adequately charged, it can cause ghosting. You might need to replace the cleaning scraper or the primary charge roller.

You can see this on laser printers if the toner gets clogged. The solution is to remove the cartridge and shake it or to replace the cartridge. It can also occur if the drum is scratched or dirty. On inkjet printers, this can occur if the print heads are dirty or misaligned. Clean and align them.

If the ink cartridges or color toner cartridges are inserted in the wrong location, you'll see some psychedelic results. The solution is to put them into the correct locations, but it might take time for the colors to return to normal. Some inkjet printers recycle the ink, so you'll still have a mixture of the wrong ink.

When the RIP creates the raster image, it stores it in memory. If the image is larger than the available memory, you'll receive a memory error. The best solution is to add memory to the printer if it supports additional memory. An alternative is to simplify the image by using a lower resolution or fewer graphics.

Many printers give error codes. They can be cryptic numbers you need to look up in a printer manual, or they can be plain words, such as "Out of paper." Many inkjet printers have a color LCD panel that displays the error, and if you touch it for information, it shows graphics demonstrating how to resolve the problem.

The fuser assembly fuses the toner to the paper. Replace the fuser to resolve the problem.