While the digital age continues to expand, it’s true that we’re seeing more and more documents being stored and shared electronically instead of needing physical copies printed out. However, despite all of the advances in digital technology, no one can neglect the importance of a printer for printing out documents, texts, assignments, reports, photos, and so on in every household or office.
But like any other piece of machinery, a printer can malfunction or stop working at some point in its lifetime. And when a printer malfunctions, it can be a major headache for everyone, especially for those who aren’t sure how to fix it without making things worse.
The good news is that most printer problems are easy to fix, as long as you know what the problem is and how to fix it. Here’s a quick overview of some common printer problems and solutions so that you won’t have to worry about encountering them again.
1. Frequent Paper Jamming
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Even with the most advanced printing technology on the market, paper jamming is still a very common issue for most users. The solution to this problem is simple and you don’t need to be tech-savvy or have any technical expertise to troubleshoot it. You can try different methods to reduce the frequency of the problem, but there is no permanent solution.
There are many reasons for paper jams and here are a few of them.
- Inserting paper incorrectly or using the incompatible paper type of paper
- Using folded and cut papers
- Filling the tray with too many papers
- Confusing the device using mixed paper sizes or types in a single stack
- Use of low-quality cartridges
- Utilisation of low-quality paper
Here are some steps to take in this situation to find the cause of the problem and then solve it.
- First, turn off the device immediately to prevent further trouble with electricity, heat, or moving components.
- Open each door or panel and carefully follow the path of the paper from the input to the output tray and see where the paper is stuck.
- Carefully pull out the stuck or cracked paper sheets and close all the doors.
- Turn the device back on and if you are still experiencing a paper jam warning then double-check the stray paper scraps and restart it.
2. Printing Speed is too Slow
Wired printers usually print documents much faster than wireless ones. Moreover, if you want to print a piece of paper that is full of objects or graphics instead of plain paper then it can also affect the speed of printing.
The printer might not be able to print your documents faster because of a memory overload. You can delete print jobs that are in the print queue and have already been cancelled or paused before completion to free up your printer’s memory and boost its performance.
Furthermore, when you use the duplex printing option unnecessarily, it significantly slows down the speed. Therefore, in addition to avoiding them, it is recommended to convert high-quality to low-quality print settings, and using a quality USB cable is also highly recommended to establish a good connection.
3. Poor/Bad Print Quality
It is very common to experience poor or bad quality printing in the form of broken text lines, smudges, blurred type, and poor image quality. There are several reasons for this, one of which is that low-quality and cheap ink cartridges are used by the printer.
Another cause of this problem is that the printer may not be properly maintained. This can result in some components becoming dirty or clogged. The problem may also be due to incorrect printer settings.
To fix the problem, follow the instructions below.
- Use the printer frequently and clean the printer head regularly.
- In the printer settings, adjust the colour level, brightness, contrast, and print quality.
- According to the needs of your project, use the right type of paper such as glossy, low-gloss, or matte paper.
4. Low Ink Warning
If your printer ever tells you it is time to change the ink, don’t panic! This is just an indication that you are running low on ink. This may be due to the installation of a cartridge that is incompatible with your printer or simply because the printer’s ink supply is actually very low. However, as long as your printer isn’t having any problems, you can ignore this message.
But if the printer doesn’t allow you to print, follow these steps.
- Turn off the device and remove the cartridge.
- Fill the ink cartridge if necessary
- Wait a few seconds after unplugging the power cord.
- Return the cartridge to the device and turn it on.
- If you are still experiencing the same warning, then reinstall the printer driver.
You should always try to check the level of the ink frequently so that you can take the next step instantly before it starts bothering you or damaging something further.
However, if you are tired of your inkjet printer’s frequent ink-dry-up or its ink is running low, you should invest in a continuous Ink printer because it helps you save money on printing costs and avoid constant cartridge replacement.
5. Wireless Printing Takes too Long
There is no doubt that wireless printing can be a convenience, but there are some instances where the convenience is outweighed by other factors. Sometimes while trying to connect your device to the printer or transferring documents from your device to the printer wirelessly you may experience some hassle with this process.
There can be many reasons behind this.
- High-resolution printing
- Bulk document printing
- Using multiple colours
- Outdated Drivers
- Using an old printer
Here are some simple steps you can take to solve it
- Check the wireless signal strength and keep the printer, router, and computer closer.
- Keep the network free of extra stress, such as downloading.
- Turn off the router for a few moments before turning it back on.
- Update the printer’s firmware.
- Reinstall the printer driver.
- Make sure there aren’t any large things in the way of your connection.
- Contact customer support if the issue is not solved.
Final Thoughts!
And that’s the end of our list of some common printer problems and solutions. If your printer stops working because of any of the above-mentioned issues, try these solutions before you take any kind of drastic measures.
Most of these problems can be fixed easily by yourself, but sometimes the most innocent-seeming issues can actually turn out to be quite painful.
If you have tried the above steps and your problem still exists or if you are experiencing a different kind of issue, then leave a comment below and explain the symptoms. We’ll be happy to assist you in fixing the problem.