How to Fix a Printer that Won't Print
Stubborn printer?
You know what we're talking about...
Where you're rushing to get that report out in time but the printer is hung up. Or, it worked perfectly fine yesterday but now you're searching the Web for ways to fix printer problems. Grrr. They're annoying things, aren't they?
Well:
Here’s what we recommend when you’re faced with that “help, my printer won’t print!” type of issue.
Printer Troubleshooting Tip 1: Check the power
First and foremost, check the power going to the printer.
It sounds like a "duh" suggestion but maybe it was disconnected while cleaning. Or, your cat was digging around behind the desk and somehow unplugged the unit.
Printer troubleshooting should start with the obvious because sometimes that's the fix.
Check the room's switch since it may not have been powered on because it's hooked up to the same line as your light.
Printer Troubleshooting Tip #2: Are the cables plugged in?
Printers (most of the time) come with USB these days.
- Start from the source (the printer) and check for any loose cables
- Work your way to the connection to the computer.
Wireless printers may be on the fritz if you’re having network troubles, or the print server may have been blocked due to conflicting handling from your wireless router.
Try unplugging and plugging the cables, or resetting the machine & router to see if this works on fixing the problem.
Printer Troubleshooting Tip #3: Check the paper tray
Did you forget the paper, again?
You’ll generally receive a message saying that you’re out of paper.
But:
Check and stock the unit in case your machine does not.
It’s easy to forget that you ran out during your last bit of printing especially if you keep the printer off to the side or up on a shelf away from your workstation.
Printer Troubleshooting Tip #4: Are the supplies good?
One of the common solutions to fixing a printer that won’t print is to replace the supplies since many new models won’t print if you’re missing one of the colors (despite your only need for a black and white document, unfortunately).
You can check this in the printer software, printer interface located on the unit, tracking your usage of the cartridges, or by opening the printer up and giving it a ‘feel test’.
While you’re at it:
Make sure that the paper drawer and supplies door is completely closed which often prevents you from printing – it may have occurred during a replacement of the supplies.
Printer Troubleshooting Tip #5: Maybe you chose the wrong printer
You may have multiple printers hooked up to your computer or devices.
If you've gone through a couple printers through the lifespan of the unit -- it's possible some of those old drivers are installed and display old printers.
Go back to the document and work your way through the print dialog to ensure that you chose your active printer from the list. Doesn't work? Keep trying the others on the list.
Printer Troubleshooting Tip #6: Check the print queue
Right-click and open the print dialog box that appears in your desktop toolbar.
You may find that the current printing has been “paused” or has become stuck.
Unpause the print job and you should be back up and running.
Printer Troubleshooting Tip #7: Maybe it's incompatible firmware
Printer manufacturers have been known to release firmware updates that disrupt your usage of compatible supplies.
Inadvertently, you may have updated the firmware recently (or it may have been done automatically) which has changed the way the printer reads the cartridge chip. These firmware updates may have disabled the ability for your printer to operate with compatibles.
It’s not an easy fix but you may be able to roll back your firmware to an earlier version.
Otherwise, you’d want to get in touch with your print supplier for guidance or new supplies.
Printer Troubleshooting Tip #8: Check if the printer is online/offline
Like the printer selection – check to see if you or someone may have set the printer to offline.
Right-click the printer from the ‘Devices and Printers’ page from the ‘Control Panel’.
Browse the printer properties to find an option to select whether it’s online or offline -- and set it to online, of course.
Printer Troubleshooting Tip #9: Do you have network permissions
There may be a chance that the network permissions have been changed so users, on the network, do not have the ‘right’ to print from the selected printer.
It’s virtually unlikely that this will happen with home and small office use.
But:
Could be the result of an upgrade or new policy at a larger company.
Check with the system administrator for this one.
Printer Troubleshooting Tip #10: Perhaps it's incompatible
There’s a chance that your printer is no longer supported by a newer operating system (which seems to be somewhat common for Windows and Mac upgrades).
There are a few workarounds using legacy drivers, setting compatibility to an older service pack, or using a third-party driver.
But:
This should be an item you consult with your manufacturer’s customer & tech support.
Stay mindful when you’re buying a new printer for operating systems (and from what you’ve read online).
Printer Troubleshooting Tip #11: Check the drivers
Incorrectly installed print drivers are a big culprit for when printers are failing to print.
The driver problem could have been the result of not completing the installation process, plugging in the unit before being told, or the odd event that they have been uninstalled.
Retrieve your printer driver CD or download them from the manufacturer website.
Proceed to fully uninstall and reinstall the printer back onto your computer.
One Final Printer Problems and Solutions Tip
Always start with the easiest items.
See if the printer will begin working just by turning it on and off again, then go to the cables, followed by supplies, and print queue – this process will most likely handle most of the problems.
Otherwise, move onward to the complicated items from the list.
If all else fails: Get in touch with tech support from your manufacturer or printing supplies company.
We, TonerRefillKits.com, can provide suggestions and guidance if you seek – give us a call, email, or get with us on Live Chat and we’ll be more than happy to help you get printing again.
Happy Printing,
The team at TonerRefillKits.com
