Common Printer Problems and How to Fix Them

You hit print, eager to get that concert ticket in your hand. But instead of the satisfying whir of the printer, uh-oh! the dreaded error message pops up: “Printer Offline.” You look over at your printer – it’s definitely on, with lights blinking normally. Now what? Don’t worry, this is usually a common hiccup that is easily fixed. Keep reading to learn about the most common printer problems and easy solutions to fix your printer.

Fix “Printer Offline” / Printer Connectivity

One of the most common errors is “printer offline”. Simply put, this error means your computer is unable to communicate with the printer. It can be caused by a few different things, most of the time it’s easy to fix. Try the following steps.

1. Power cycle the printer. Just like your computer, printers sometimes need to reboot to continue working properly. You might even try unplugging the printer from power for 3-5 minutes before starting it back up. This is the first step in fixing your printer problems.
2. Restart your computer. Believe it or not, restarting your computer can often fix “printer offline” errors. This simple step can sometimes revive the software that talks to your printer and get things back on track. Just use the “restart” option in your computer’s menus and you should be good to go!
3. Remove and reinstall printer from computer. Occasionally, a misconfiguration caused by an update or other system change can disconnect the printer for your computer. Removing and re-adding the printer to your computer often re-establishes the connection.

Fix Printer Paper Jams

Paper jams can happen, but don’t panic! With a few simple tips, you can easily clear them yourself and get back to printing.

1. Be gentle. Once you find the paper jam, gently pull the paper out of the printer. Slow and steady wins the race!
2. Check the front and back of the printer. When facing a paper jam, check your printer’s rear panel. It often opens easily to allow you to remove the paper directly. You can consult your printer’s manual for more detailed instructions for your specific model.
3. Prevent future jams. After clearing a paper jam, make sure your paper is stacked neatly and evenly in the tray, aligning with the printer’s guides. Misaligned paper can result in another paper jam.

Get Crisp Prints Again: Fixing Common Print Quality Issues

Noticed streaks or faded areas on your recent prints? Here are some solutions to get crisp, clean printouts again!

1. Perform printer cleaning. Your inkjet printer likely has a built-in cleaning mode to clear clogged nozzles. Consult your printer’s manual (it’s usually online too!) to locate the specific cleaning function within the menus. You might need to run the cleaning cycle a few times for stubborn clogs.
2. Align the print heads. Misaligned ink cartridges can cause blurry or streaky images. New ink cartridges usually trigger an alignment prompt on most printers. However, this can also be performed manually using the option within your printer’s maintenance menu.
3. Install new ink cartridges. If nothing else resolves the problem, it may be time to replace the ink or toner in your printer. Even if the previous ink cartridges are relatively new or even full, they can be defective or clog.

If all else fails…

If you have already tried these steps and are still having problems with your printer, we can help! Give us a call and a qualified technician will help you fix your printer or advise you if you’re better off replacing the printer.