About Inkjet Troubleshooting

If your inkjet printer isn't printing, there may be a variety of reasons why, from electronic problems to connection problems to actual problems with the printer or cartridges. Once you've determined there's a problem -- either through an error message on the computer, a series of blinking lights, or simple observation, you can go about troubleshooting and solving the problem.

Failure to print

If you haven't received any error messages or heard any unusual noises from the printer, and your printer simply isn't printing, there are a few things you should check. First, make sure the printer is turned on and plugged in. A number of problems have been solved with this simple step. If that's not the problem, check the connections. Make sure the computer is connected to the printer properly. Most actual errors are indicated through some combination of beeps, lights and error codes.

Poor quality printing

If your printer is working, but the pages it's printing out are either blurry, off color or too light, the odds are that the problem is with the printer cartridge. If your printer has an ink-level indicator, take a look at it and see if one of your colors is low. Very red printouts, for instance, often mean the yellow cartridge is out. Smudged or blurry prints may mean you need to change the type of media you're printing on. For example, if you're printing on a high-gloss paper you need to let the printer know that so it disperses the right amount of ink. If your ink levels are fine and the media is set correctly, the problem may be with the print head, which is the part of the cartridge or printer that disperses the ink onto the page. Cartridges come with the print head integrated into them. These are cartridges that have copper contacts on the bottom of them. It's possible to take a cotton swab with alcohol and carefully clean off the print head. Some printers also have a cleaning mode that, when run, is designed to clean the print head.

Paper jam

This is usually indicated by a blinking light or, on machines with an LED display, a message indicating "paper jam." Open the printer and gently try to remove the paper. Don't tug or the paper could rip and cause a worse jam, or damage your printer.

Paper feed issues

A printer will try to feed more than one piece of paper through at a time, or it won't feed the paper at all. In both cases, check your printer's documentation to ensure you are using a paper weight compatible with your printer. Also make sure that the paper is seated correctly in the feed area, to enable the rollers to be able to pick it up.

Software problems

If your printouts are clear and color correct, but the text itself is gibberish, the problem may be with the printer driver. If you've recently updated your operating system, or even if you've just had your printer for a while, it might be time to check for a driver update. The printer driver is what allows the printer to talk to the computer, and an out-of-date driver can cause communication problems. Even if nothing about your computer has changed, the printer manufacturer may update the driver software to correct problems that have developed since the original software was released.

Proper maintenance

When troubleshooting an inkjet printer problem iconsult your printer's documentation to ensure you're familiar with its specific error codes and mechanics, and that you're maintaining the printer correctly. Make use of the manufacturer's website as well; there may have been a recall issued for your very problem. Inkjet printers aren't always known for long lives, but a quality inkjet printer that is maintained properly and used according to specifications can last 10 years or more.