Common Printer Errors and How to Fix Them

Connecting your computer to an external printer in order to print your documents can be difficult and frustrating, especially when there are so many different types of printers, each with their own quirks, pros and cons.

Here are some common issues you may encounter, and a quick and easy fix.

First, ensure these questions are answered before you go any further. Some problems lie in plain sight and can be fixed with an obvious solution. 

Is the printer on?

Does it have paper?

Are all necessary cables connected?

Are all wireless connections working properly?

Have you checked the printer ink or toner cartridges? If so, are you using the name brand ink and toner, or generics? 

1. Printer Just Won't Print

This can happen for any number of reasons. To quickly diagnose, double check all the settings to ensure your printer is properly connected and you are trying to print in the right format or orientation for the document you're trying to print. If your printer driver has two-way communication, you may be warned about an issue even before you go to the printer. Luckily, these warnings often tell you what the problem is and will recommend troubleshooting tactics. If all else fails, turn your printer off, wait a few minutes, and then restart your printer and software application. 

2. Bad Print Quality

It may seem insignificant, but the paper you print on can make a major difference in your final print quality. Generally, photo paper sold by your printer’s manufacturer will have fewer issues than generic printer paper. But what’s even more important? Match the printer settings to what you’re printing.

This means more than making sure the correct type of paper is selected; it also means choosing the appropriate print quality settings for your printed pages. Do you want to print photos for a presentation or is it just a copy of an email you’re going to file away? If you’re printing high-quality photos on glossy paper, draft quality and plain paper settings will not suffice. Furthermore, mixing brands and types of paper within one printer tray can cause further issues.

3. Frequent Paper Jams

While the obvious paper jam culprit may be foreign objects loose inside the printer, there are several lesser-known culprits, including an overfilled paper tray or improperly inserted paper. Try fanning the stack of paper to reduce any static and dust, and re-insert the paper while keeping it flush with the guides. When using thicker paper, it’s often better to manually feed each sheet into the printer through a bypass tray.

These three issues are the most common, so if you're encountering something not accounted for here, please reach out to the support desk for assistance.

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