How to Troubleshoot an HP Color Laser Printer

Everyone who owns a printer has trouble with it from time to time. Whether it won’t print or it won’t stop printing, there are steps to help you diagnose and fix your problem. Here is how to troubleshoot an HP color laser printer:

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• HP color laser printer
• Computer

1. Get a second opinion. The first thing to do when you are having problems with office equipment is to get someone else to look at it. It might be a simple problem that you overlooked. If you have someone look and find out that it isn’t plugged in properly, it will save you a lot of hassle.
2. Take inventory of the problem. Where is the problem? Is the paper tray jammed? Is it printing weird symbols? This is a vital step. You might not be able to fix what’s wrong at this stage, but it is important to know what area of the printer you are looking to repair.
3. Check for paper jams. Newer printers will tell you where the paper is jammed, while older printers require you to open them up and search.
4. Be sure that you are connected to the computer via your computer's Control Panel. Click on 'Printers' and make sure that the printer is visible and that it is your default printer.
5. Get your paperwork in order and call the manufacturer. Find your owner’s manual, service number and any warranties that you still have for your printer.
6. Look at the manual. There will be a troubleshooting section. Check and see if your question is answered there.
7. Visit the HP Web site. There is an area for troubleshooting and frequently asked questions.
8. Print a test page after everything is fixed, to see if everything is back to normal again.

Tips & Warnings

• Check your paper supply. If you are having problems in the paper-supply department, make sure that the paper in your printer is crisp and not folded. If there are big wrinkles or tears in the paper, the feeder will not be able to take the paper properly.
• Make sure you try all other avenues before contacting customer service. Sometimes the long waits for technical support aren’t really worth the call.
• Check your toner cartridge. Color laser printers have toner cartridges that contain dry ink. If you are having problems with proper printing, you may want to remove the cartridge and shake it. After you replace the cartridge, your problem might be fixed.

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