Printer Troubleshooting 101

Lately, I’ve run across many printer problems so I’m going to share with you my formula for approaching a printer problem.

1. Shut off computer
2. Shut off printer
3. Check cable from printer to computer and make sure it is securely plugged in on both sides
4. Check cable from printer to power source and make they plugged in well.
5. Turn the printer on and wait for it to go through all of its startup activities (wait until it is quiet)
• If the printer happens to be a HP printer, I will sometimes unplug the power cable from the back of the printer, then hold the power button down while plugging in the power. Release the power button after about 15 or so seconds
6. Turn the computer on
7. Click Start –> Control Panel –> Printers
8. RIGHT Click on the printer having trouble
9. Click Cancel All documents
10. RIGHT Click on the printer having trouble
11. Click Resume Printing (if available, it means the printer has been paused…don’t click the Pause Printing option)
12. RIGHT Click on the printer having trouble
13. Click Use Printer Online (if available, don’t click the Use Printer Offline option)
14. RIGHT Click the Printer
15. Click Properties
16. Click Print Test Page
17. Click Yes on next message that appears
18. If the test page prints, close all open windows and try printing from the Internet, and/or your word processor and email. If everything is printing fine, you are finished. If you do not get a printed test page, the move on to the next steps.

Additional steps to take if the above steps don’t get the printer working:

1. Shut off printer
2. Make sure all lids and doors to the printer are closed properly and not accidentally open
3. Take the paper out of the paper tray and check for a paper jam…if present, clear it by opening the back of the printer and gently easing the stuck paper out or gently pull it from the front.
4. Turn printer back on and check that all ink cartridges are secured properly. You might even want to remove them and then re-install them securely.
5. If the printer has any type of screen or read out on it, check to make sure it isn’t giving you any error codes. If there are error codes, use the printer’s manual to look up the error and follow the advice given for the specific error.
6. If all of the above checks out ok, I then unplug the USB cable connecting the printer to the computer, then Click Start –> Control Panel –> Add/Remove Programs
7. Find and remove all software related to the printer then restart the computer
   
8. After the computer restarts, insert the original printer disk and reinstall the software. Plug in the printer when the on-screen instructions indicate to do so.

These steps should get you pretty far in solving many printer dilemmas. If they do not get you printing again, contact a computer professional or call the printer manufacturer.