| Printers are great when they work but when | | | | remove small pieces. Be careful not to damage |
| something goes wrong allof a sudden they are | | | | any mechanical parts with the tweezers. |
| "crappy printers", "piece of junk" and so | | | | |
| forth. Actually the technology is pretty | | | | If all seems well with the printer it's time |
| impressive and if you ask me I think it's | | | | to check the wire that connects the printer |
| nothing short of magic. All that said lets | | | | to the computer. You may be using a parallel |
| explore some of the more common problems that | | | | or a USB connection. Make sure the cable is |
| cause the 45% of the help centers phone | | | | connected properly. Turn the equipment off |
| calls. | | | | and remove and re-insert the connection on |
| | | | both the printer and the computer to ensure a |
| If nothing has occurred since the last time | | | | solid connection. If you are at work and your |
| you used your printer chances are the problem | | | | printer is connected to what appears to be a |
| is straightforward. As obvious as it sounds | | | | telephone wire then it's time to call your |
| check to make sure the printer is turned on. | | | | resident network expert. |
| Somebody may have turned it off while you | | | | |
| were away from your desk or computer. Make | | | | If the printer works but only prints garbage |
| sure there is power to the printer. All | | | | then that is a good indication of a printer |
| printers have some kind of light or LED to | | | | driver problem. The printer driver is a |
| let you know that it is powered up. | | | | software program thattranslates the computer |
| | | | instructions into something that the printer |
| If it is turned on but has some flashing | | | | canrecognize. Try re-booting the computer and |
| lights then check with your ownersmanual to | | | | turning the printer off and onbefore messing |
| see what the lights mean. Most of these | | | | with the driver. Sometimes that's all it |
| indicators will be related to either paper, | | | | takes. If after doing that you still have the |
| toner or ink. | | | | problem it's time to replace the printer |
| | | | driver. Your printers manufacturer has a web |
| Make sure there is paper in the printer. If | | | | site where you can download another printer |
| it's empty then refill the paper tray. Make | | | | driver. They are free to download and usually |
| sure to "fan" the paper stack before you put | | | | are updated as well. Follow the instructions |
| it in the printer. Fanning the paper merely | | | | given by the manufacturer to replace your |
| involves flipping through the paper stack | | | | driver. |
| with your thumb. This ruffling separates the | | | | |
| paper thereby reducing paper jams. When the | | | | If you have a scanner it may be interfering |
| paper stack is cut at the factory sometimes | | | | with your printer. Try reinstalling the |
| it causes the pages to stick together. | | | | software for both BUT install the printer |
| | | | driver first, then the scanner driver. |
| If the paper is full then check for a | | | | |
| mis-feed or paper jam. Remove the paper stack | | | | If nothing I've said results in a solution |
| and check the feed area for jammed paper. You | | | | then it may be time to call the printer |
| may have to open several panels to make a | | | | manufacturer. Make sure that you are near the |
| thorough inspection. Even a small piece of | | | | printer when you call and have all your |
| paper stuck inside the printer can cause | | | | warranty information available. |
| problems. You might have to use tweezers to | | | | |