How to troubleshoot printer problems

When it comes to printers, there can be a large number of problems that prevent us from continuing with printing: paper jams, out of ink, low quality or too slow prints ...

In this article we have compiled a list of the ten most common problems you may encounter, with instructions on how to solve them.

1. The printer does not print

It seems trivial, but it is one of the most common and annoying problems that can arise with a printer. If there is no error message that gives you a clue, check that the printer is still connected via USB or Ethernet cable. If the printer is wireless, check that Wi-Fi is turned on and connected to the correct network.

Check the printer driver, it sometimes happens to get corrupt and you need to reinstall it. You can find the right driver for your printer on the download page on the manufacturer's website.

If your printer is connected with updated drivers and still does not print, take a look at the "Troubleshooting" section of the instruction manual.

2. Can I print even when 'ink levels are low'?

There is no need to replace ink cartridges right away when you start to see messages indicating that the level is low: most modern printers show this type of notification to users. However, the accuracy of these messages varies by manufacturer and model. Some of them appear long before the ink levels are really too low.

The only way to check the real level of ink left is to print until the print quality deteriorates or the printer stops. Once you know that the ink has really run out, you can remove the cartridge and replace it.

This way, you'll get a pretty accurate idea of ​​how accurate these warnings are. You can use your printer in the future knowing in advance how much more you can print after the message is displayed.

3. I want to print from my smartphone

Most printers can print from your phone or tablet, but it's a good idea to first check if your printer can do it. Printers with Wi-Fi usually support AirPrint , which allows you to print from iOS directly from iPhones and iPads as long as they are on the same network.

Most printer manufacturers release applications that allow users to print from Apple, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry devices.

You can print from mobile with a printer that is not equipped with Wi-Fi if your network has a wireless access point and a printing tool installed on one of the computers on the network. Printopia for Mac or Presto! for Mac and Windows allow printing from phone and tablet. Cloud printing services also work on all platforms and devices.

4. Printing over Wi-Fi takes too long

To speed up printing via Wi-Fi, you can try to position your printer so that it is as close as possible to the router. You should also make sure that the router is adequate, that it supports 802.11n and that it offers both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands. It may also be worth checking that the printer and router firmware are updated to the latest version available.

5. The printer is too slow

Some printers are fast. Of course, a slow printer can be made faster. If you don't worry too much about getting the best possible print quality, you can print in draft mode . This will speed up printing significantly.

Also, you may want to avoid using the two-sided printing feature (if your printer supports it) which can slow down printing considerably, because the machine has to rotate the document to print on both sides and this takes some time.

6. Printing costs are too high

The two main costs are ink and paper, but there are a few ways to reduce printing costs.

First of all, think if you really need to print what you are printing. Maybe you only need a few pages. If printing is for personal use, you can turn on draft mode to save ink. You can also print on both sides of the sheet to save paper.

For many printers, you can choose to buy low or high capacity ink cartridges (or toners). High-capacity cartridges cost more but last longer for more prints in relation to the price. There are also compatible cartridges that offer great savings without sacrificing the quality of expensive original cartridges.

It is important to look at the costs of using a printer before buying it. You should check the cost per page before purchasing. Make sure that the printer is exactly what you are looking for and that it meets all the requirements, so as to save money in the near future.

7. The printed text is of low quality

Print quality can vary widely from printer to printer. Generally, inkjet printers produce prints suitable for daily use, while laser printers print documents that appear more professional. If you have noticed that the quality of the text is gradually deteriorating, there are a few things you can do to fix it.

Check that the print settings are correct: this applies to both inkjets and lasers. Turn off draft mode and make sure the type of paper shown on the screen is what you are actually using.

As for laser printers, the toner may 'harden'. In this case, remove the cartridge from the printer and shake it for a while before reinserting it.

For inkjet printers instead, you can try cleaning the nozzles and aligning the print head. You can do this through the printer repair maintenance menu.

8. Printed photographs are of low quality

Especially for inkjet printers, make sure you are printing on the correct side of the paper. To print detailed images, you should use photo paper . Make sure you have selected the type of card you are using in the software settings. Cleaning the nozzles and aligning the heads can also help improve the print quality of your photos.

It may happen that you have run out of ink of a certain color: this causes prints with the wrong colors. In this case, the time has come to change the cartridge. It is important to note that old cartridges should be checked and replaced when necessary.

9. The printer continues to jam

Paper jam is one of the most common and annoying problems. The main cause of the paper jam is misaligned sheets.

Make sure that the sheets are well positioned in the tray and also that there are not too many. If the printer jams anyway, you can consult the "Troubleshooting" section of the user manual or seek advice from the network.

10. The multifunction printer no longer scans

If your MFP scanner has stopped working, it may be a  printer software problem. Try reinstalling the software, but if the problem persists, read what the user manual or manufacturer's support page says about it. Sometimes, complicated mechanisms like those found in scanners can simply break, so it is important to consult with the manufacturer first.

Also Read: How to restore iPhone and iPad