Computer Tips >> #1 > #2 > #3 > #4 > #5 > #6 > #7
Welcome to Computer Tips, your local source for computer help and information. This is your host, Doug Bocaz-Larson, computer science program manager at the Grants Campus of NMSU.
Today’s computer tip topic is: Printer trouble
One of the most common calls for help I get are related to printers– Printers can be one of the most complicated things to fix because there are so many different kinds of printers and several different problems that can occur.
Here is a good checklist to go through when trying to fix your printer.
1) Is the printer on? (you may have thought you left it on or maybe someone else turned it off)
2) Is it plugged in? (maybe someone unplugged it to plug in something else)
3) Is there paper? (some printers have the paper tucked away somewhere you can’t see so you’ll want to check the paper tray)
4) Is there a paper jam? (some printers have lights that flash and change color to warn you about this)
5) Check for other objects that might be jamming the printer. (If you have cats or a toddler in your house like I do, you might find all kinds of interesting things showing up inside your printer)
6) If none of this works, try restarting the computer. Restarting the computer can solve many of your printer problems.
7) Still not working? Now we check the cable connecting the printer to the computer. Make sure it isn’t loose.
8) Next, see if the ink or laser cartridge is empty. Sometimes if you haven’t used the printer in a while, an ink cartridge will dry up and needs to be replaced. A laser cartridge can sometimes be used longer if you gently shake is side to side to redistribute left over toner. And make sure you store your ink cartridges standing up. This keeps the ink at the bottom and ready to use and helps prevent premature drying of the ink.
9) Try to print a test page. If this works, try printing from different programs to see if the printing problem is isolated to one program.
10) See if the printer you want to use is set up as the default printer.
11) Check the manufacturer’s website to see if there are any updates that need to be downloaded. Sometimes the disk that comes with printers don’t have the right software for newer versions of Windows such as XP. But a manufacturer’s website often has the right driver.
12) Finally, the last step you want to take, but often cures the more serious printer problems is Uninstalling and reinstalling the printer. Before doing this, make sure you have the installation disk. There’s nothing worse than uninstalling some software and not having the software to replace it again.
That’s it for today’s computer tip brought to you by the computer science program at the Grants Campus of NMSU where we provide you with a variety of computer training opportunities from PC repair to Web Design. If you have a question for me about your computer, email me at [email protected] and I might use your question in my next Computer Tips segment. That’s [email protected] You can also view this computer tip, along with others, at bocaz.com. That’s w-w-w.b-o-c-a-z.com. Or check out our computer program at http://grants.nmsu.edu. I look forward to talking to you again soon.
Learn more about this topic at:
http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Howto/troubleshoot/print/index.html