Common Printer Problems and How to Fix Them

For some people we need our printer to be working optimally 24/7. Printer issues are some of the most finnicky and costly problem to fix. At Fixoid our customer bring in printers for repair all the time. Our experienced technicians will repair extensively, but we wanted to write this article so you at home can fix some common issues at home before you check in the printer.

Printer is offline

Check all connections and cables to ensure nothing moved out of place. if it powers on and the printer is offline, there are a few things to check.

Make sure its turned on, and you are connected to the same network as your device. if using wifi, try using a cable to connect instead.

Restart devices.

Restart your computer, mobile device as well as the printer to clear any errors or print jobs that might be in queue. – Try setting the printer to default.

1. Select Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Select your printer and then select Open queue.
3. Select Printer, then select Set As Default Printer, and clear Pause Printing and Use Printer Offline if they are selected.
   If you see a message that says, “Windows will stop managing your default printer for you,” select OK. 

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/troubleshooting-offline-printer-problems-in-windows-9f5e98ed-0ac8-50ff-a13b-d79bf7710061: Common Printer Problems and How to Fix Them

Disable Use Offline mode

If your printer is in Use Printer Offline mode, it won’t work.

To turn it off, select Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. Select your printer and click Open queue. in Printer, ensure Use Printer Offline is not selected.

Reinstall the drivers

This takes a few steps:

1. Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners.
2. In the Related Settings section, click on Print server properties.
3. In the Drivers tab, select your printer’s driver and click Remove.
4. Confirm by clicking Remove driver and driver package, then click OK.
5. Return to the Printer Server Properties window and select the Drivers tab again.
6. Click Add and use the Add Printer Driver Wizard to reinstall your printer driver.

Check Your Printer Settings

Before anything else, check your printer settings. The issue might not be with the ink levels but with the printer’s settings. Ensure the following:

• Proper installation of cartridges: Double-check that the ink cartridges are correctly seated in their slots.
• Accurate ink level display: Printers may sometimes show incorrect ink levels due to software glitches. Rebooting the printer or updating its firmware can often resolve this issue.
• Maintenance settings: If your printer has a printhead cleaning cycle, run it. This can often fix minor ink flow problems.

Inspect the Ink Cartridges

Next, take a closer look at the cartridges:

• Look for damage: Check for any physical issues like leaks, cracks, or dried ink, as these can lead to printing problems.
• Ensure Quality: Use high-quality, compatible ink cartridges. Generic or refilled cartridges may sometimes cause issues.
• Installation process: Make sure the cartridges are installed correctly by following the instructions in your printer’s manual.

Run Cleaning Cycles

If your print quality has been deteriorating, running a few cleaning cycles can help. Here’s how you do it:

1. Access printer maintenance settings: These are usually found in the printer’s control panel or the printer software on your computer.
2. Run a nozzle check: This test prints a pattern to reveal if any print nozzles are clogged.
3. Initiate cleaning cycles: If the nozzle check indicates problems, run the cleaning cycle. This process pushes fresh ink through the nozzles to clear any blockages.

When to Replace Ink Cartridges

If troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the issue, it might be time to replace the ink cartridges. Here are some tips for doing it right:

• Consult your manual: Always refer to your printer’s manual for specific instructions on replacing ink cartridges.
• Turn off the printer: Before replacing cartridges, make sure the printer is turned off to avoid any electrical issues.
• Handle with care: Be gentle when removing and installing cartridges to prevent any damage.
• Prime the new cartridges: Some printers require new cartridges to be primed. Follow the instructions to ensure they’re ready to use.

Weird-Looking Text – Misaligned

A frequent issue encountered by many printer owners is misaligned or distorted text. This typically occurs when the printer’s toner and print heads are not correctly positioned, often due to a malfunctioning cartridge or drum unit. To resolve this problem, it is essential to ensure that all the printer’s moving components are functioning properly and in harmony with one another.

Solution:

Begin by checking the toner level. If it’s low, replace or refill the cartridges promptly. If the toner levels are adequate, consider other potential causes, such as a mismatch between the paper type and your printer model. Before performing a test print, ensure you have the correct settings.

Additionally, check if your printer requires manual alignment of the print head. With proper maintenance and attention, correcting misalignments should be straightforward, enabling you to resume printing high-quality documents without distorted text.

Printer Driver Problem

Printers are crucial devices in contemporary businesses and organizations. However, they can frequently encounter issues, one of which is driver incompatibility with the hardware or software, known as the Printer Driver problem.

Manufacturers regularly release new printer drivers to stay updated with evolving technology, which can lead to compatibility problems. Installing an incorrect driver can result in the printer producing lower-quality prints or even failing to function entirely.

Solution:

To avoid this potential problem, ensure you have the latest driver version installed on your device for optimal printer performance without interruptions.

Regularly checking your system for driver updates can help maintain hassle-free printing operations. With proper setup and efficient maintenance, you can prevent driver issues and compatibility problems.

Check for Updates:

While hitting the “update later” button might seem convenient, it can cause communication issues between your devices. To check if your printer driver needs updates, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings and type in “Device Manager.”
2. Right-click on the printer you are using.
3. Select “Update Driver.”
4. Choose “Search Automatically” to find the driver.

The system will inform you if you are using the best driver or if you need to select a better option.

If installed correctly, your devices will automatically check for updates. Once the update process is complete, verify if the printer is functioning properly.

Clogged Printhead

If you don’t use your printer often, the ink in the printhead may dry out and cause clogging. Signs of this include lines, streaks, or bands on your printouts, or lighter prints in certain parts of your documents, indicating it’s time to clean your printhead.

A clogged printhead might trigger a “change cartridge” signal or prevent ink from reaching the page. While unclogging a printhead can be messy and tedious, maintaining your printer to prevent clogs is simple. One effective method is the paper towel method:

Paper Towel Method
This method works for printers using ink cartridges with an integrated printhead, such as HP 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67 ink cartridges, and Canon PG243, CL-244, PG-245, PG-245XL, CL-246, 246XL, PG-260XL, CL-261XL ink cartridges.

Steps:

1. Prepare Materials: Have a damp paper towel and a dry paper towel ready.
2. Blot the Cartridge: Take the warm, damp paper towel and blot the cartridge with the printhead side down onto the towel. The printhead is located on the end of the cartridge where the ink comes out and is typically a gold or copper strip.
3. Clean the Printhead: Tap the cartridge down a few times. Slide the cartridge on the paper towel and repeat until you see solid lines of ink. For tricolor cartridges, repeat until you see all three colors.
4. Reminder: Be careful not to confuse the printhead with the gold and copper contacts. If you don’t see ink on the paper towel, you might be blotting the wrong part of the cartridge.
5. Dry the Cartridge: Once you see ink on the damp paper towel, hold the cartridge against the dry paper towel for 30 seconds to a minute to wick out any dried ink.
6. Reinstall and Test: Slide the cartridge back into the printer and run a test print. If the print quality is still poor, repeat the process.

Nobody likes dealing with printer issues. Since printers have so many moving parts, it can be a real pain to repair. if you want a place you can just drop off the printer and pick it up fully repaired, call Fixoid today.