Despite advances in technology, common printer problems persist and trouble users, quite often when time is short and an important deadline is looming. Before carting a tangle of equipment and cords to printer repair experts, a few steps to diagnose the issue can save you both time and money.

Commonly Overlooked Printer Problems

When time is of the essence and a printer is not responding, overlooking some of the most basic and obvious causes can be all too easy. At a busy office, for example, it is easy to assume that someone else has already turned on the printer. When consulting a printer repair technician, the first question they almost always ask is whether the device is plugged in and turned on, not to insult your intelligence, but because it is frequently the problem.

Areas to Double-Check to resolve Printer Problems

The starting point in printer repair diagnosis is checking to see if the printer is turned on. If it will not turn on, examine the power cord; first to see if it is plugged in firmly, and second to see that the outlet has power. Next, be sure that all cables are fully connected or that the wireless network is functioning. Finally, confirm that the tray has sufficient paper and that the paper is fully inserted.

Computer Related Printer Problems

One of the most common causes of communication problems between the computer and the printer is a faulty or incorrect driver. If no apparent difficulties can be found with the printer itself, and no message is given regarding ink levels or paper jams, driver problems are the common culprit.

Printer Problems Cause by Driver

If a driver problem is suspected, first empty the printing queue. This is especially important if you repeated the printing command multiple times. Then update the printer driver to the most current option, making sure to select the proper operating system of your computer and the exact manufacturer and model number of the printer in question.

Physical Printer Problems

Many of the newest models come with software that diagnoses basic printer problems and guides users through the printer repair. For equipment without that option, the general issues that can physically halt a printer in its tracks are a paper jam, ink cartridge or toner problem, or a foreign object in the printer.

Consulting the directions and troubleshooting guides that came with a printer is recommended for proper printer repair. Fighting a paper jam without taking the correct steps can break elements inside the printer. If the directions are not sufficient for checking printer problems such as the paper’s route, the ink or toner cartridges, and possible paperclips in the printer, then consult an expert in printer repair.

Fortunately, a quick examination of the equipment is all that is required to identify most of the common printer problems. Even if none of these equipment or software issues is apparent, you will be better equipped to answer questions when consulting a printer repair expert for your printer problems.