So there I am, reviewing my google analytics (that’s geekspeak for “checking the stats on my website”) and I can’t help but notice that month after month, one of the top searches that brings people to the Geek Housecalls website is the benign-sounding ”Why won’t my printer print?”
Printers seem like simple enough devices and, well, they’ve certainly been around long enough to be considered a mature technology.
Geekstorical note: The birth of what could be considered the modern computer printer was the production of a “high speed” printer in 1953 (Wow!!) by Remington-Rand for use on the Univac computer.
With the current breathless pace of technological advancement, one would think that a device conceived more than a half-century ago would not only be working reliably, but by now, really ought to be self-installing, self configuring, and self-repairing (and bringing me my slippers and a cup of coffee on Saturday mornings). So why are printers such a source of angst for so many people?
The simple answer is this: They just stop printing.
What’s not so simple though, is the fact that the reasons they stop printing are as manifold and complicated as any problem faced by home computer users. Let’s examine some possibilities…
In this article I’m going to address common hardware problems. I’m going to save software, configuration, and communication problems for the next installment because frankly, there’s so much, trying to take it all in at once would make your head explode…
Hardware problems range from failed components such as switches, motors, and electronic circuits to problems with ink and toner delivery systems to paper jams (I once found a nickle that had dropped down into the paper feed path of a customer’s $400 laser printer).
What to do? Look for indicator lights or software error messages that may offer a clue as to what’s happening. Most printers will indicate a variety of conditions that can help you troubleshoot.
Ink & Toner
Try replacing ink or toner if that’s what’s indicated. And If you just replaced them, check to make sure you installed them properly including removing any protective seals or tapes.
For inkjet printers, even when you have plenty of ink and no error messages, you may experience blotchy, striped, or oddly-colored printing. This can usually be traced directly to a bad or empty ink cartridge or clogged print head. Most printer software offers some form of automated head cleaning or maintenance operation that may solve this. When going the head-cleaning route, it’s best to try at least a few cleaning operations before giving up, as the first time doesn’t always work. If after several cleaning attempts, it’s still not working, try replacing the ink. Otherwise you may have damaged printheads which are sometimes user replaceable and sometimes not. Check your printer manufacturer’s website for information/instructions.
One more thing to watch for with inkjet printers is when your ink runs out but your software says there’s plenty (I’ll skip the technical explanation of why this happens but suffice it to say, the software works by counting microdroplets of ink as they leave the cartridge and head for the page). Usually when this happens, the color of your color printing or photos will come out the wrong shade, or if you’re out of black ink, you will get color images on the page, but no text. Some manufacturers make clear ink cartridges so you can visually check if any ink remains. If this isn’t an option though, try holding a new full cartridge in one hand and compare the heft of it with the suspect cartridge in the other hand. One can usually feel the difference between a full and an empty cartridge using this technique.
Cover open
If a cover-open condition is indicated, check to make sure all covers are completely closed and that no papers or other objects are obstructing the covers from completely closing. Check the back of the unit as many printers have a back cover used for clearing jams or for adding a duplexing unit. If everything looks okay othewise, your printer may have a bad switch or sensor and you need to decide whether to repair or replace.
Paper out
This condition may seem obvious, but many printers have multiple paper feed options and if the wrong option is selected, it may report paper out or ask you to insert paper even when the paper tray is full. One common problem is that some programs will automatically switch to manual feed mode for printing certain types of jobs like envelopes or labels. If your printer has paper but keeps asking for paper or reporting paper out, try locating the manual feed slot (usually up front, sometimes inside a small flip-down cover) and feeding a piece of paper into it that way. If you have paper in every tray and have tried manual feed with no success, you may have a bad switch or sensor and you need to decide whether to repair or replace.
Paper jam
Paper jams may be one of the most frustrating problems because you’re so close to successfully printing then *SCRAWWWW! CHUNK! CHUNK! WRINNNKLE!!* – paper destroyed – it’s all over!
Sometimes paper jams are caused by loose objects such as paper clips or staples (or Nickles!) getting into the paper path. Try unloading all your paper and turning the printer upside down with a quick shake, you could be surprised by what emerges.
Older printers are prone to jamming because the rubber or soft plastic parts that separate and transport the paper become dried out and don’t “grip” the paper well. One typical characteristic of this problem is when your printer sucks in a whole bunch of paper at once instead of a single sheet (this also often happens to the auto sheet feeders in older copiers, scanners, and faxes). This can sometimes be remedied by making the rubber feed wheels and sheet separator tacky through the use of a product like MG Chemicals’ Rubber Renu.
Over time, especially with heavily used printers, paper jams can be caused by the accumulation of paper dust or tiny torn-off bits and corners of paper that coat the transport mechanisms of the paper path. Unplug the printer and use your household vacuum with the crevice cleaner attachment to suck dust and paper bits out of your printer. Use caution to avoid damaging delicate wiring, belts, or ribbbon cables.
Another frequent cause of paper jams is misfed stickers or labels that may attach to the platen or other rollers or surfaces or that leave adhesive behind and will never come clean without a thorough (and usually expensive!) disassembly of the unit. My advice to all is prevent this problem in the first place by not using your expensive color laser or other expensive printer to print stickers or labels. Instead buy an inexpensive inkjet for under $100 and use that exclusively for stickers and labels!
Finally, look at the paper itself; sometimes, particularly during warm humid months, paper that is left out of its original packaging, even when in your printer’s paper tray, will become curled and not feed properly.
Power problems
Of course, if there are no lights or displays, you’ll want to make sure the power cord hasn’t jiggled loose from the back of the unit! (Hey! it happens!)
That covers most of the common hardware related failures that cause printers to stop printing. Bookmark or subscribe to Geekablog.com and watch for the next installment when I’ll address the headaches associated with software, drivers, ports, networking, and printer communications issues in general!
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This article was written by Andy Trask, Head Geek at Geek Housecalls, the New England area’s original traveling computer geeks, on the web at www.geekhousecalls.com. Geek Housecalls specializes in “anything computer” and, since 2001, has become the trusted in-home computer and technology support provider for over 15,000 families and small business computer users in eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and southern New Hampshire. For help with your computers, gadgets, or network at home or at the office, click here to contact Geek Housecalls via the web, or call toll free:
1-877-4PC-GEEK (1-877-472-4335)
I gave serious consideration to staying comfortable, staying with windows XP, but ultimately, I realized that going to Windows 7 was the best choice for me because first and foremost, it’s what my customers are now getting and there’s something to be said for sharing your customers’ joy and pain. More importantly though, what kind of geek would I be if I took the safe route and chose familiarity over learning and discovery? So this blog post comes to you from my new Windows 7 laptop.
