Dell A10 Printer 960 Troubleshooting

Dell’s Personal All-In-One A960 printer combines an inkjet printer with a document scanner and a fax machine. Problems with the A960 are typically fairly simple to fix, and a slight adjustment to the printer’s settings usually solve most problems. The A960 does produce error codes on its digital display screen for some problems that may otherwise be difficult to detect, but the codes must be translated.

Instructions

Printer Fails to Print

1. Check whether the printer’s electrical supply cord is plugged into a live electrical outlet.

2. Inspect the USB cable that connects the printer to the computer for signs of damage. Cracks or sharp bends in the cable can interrupt the communication between the computer and the printer.

3. Check the printer’s status to determine whether the document is paused. To check the printer’s status, click the “Start” bottom on the lower left side of the computer screen. Click “Control Panel,” followed by “Printers and Other Hardware.” Click the “Printers and Faxes” selection. Double click the “Dell AIO Printer A960” icon. Click the “Printer” selection and make sure that no check mark appears next to the “Pause Printing” option.

Document Is Too Light or Too Dark

1. Press the “Copy” or “Fax” button at the printer’s mode area, which is located to the left of the digital display screen.

2. Press the “Lighter” or “Darker” buttons located to the right of the digital display screen. A horizontal bar will appear on the display screen.

3. Adjust the lightness or darkness of the printer by repeatedly pressing the “Lighter” or “Darker” button. An asterisk just above the horizontal bar on the display screen will move in the desired direction.

4. Press the “Select” button underneath the “Lighter” and “Darker” buttons.

Error Messages

1. Reset the scanner if a “Hardware Error: 401” message appears on the digital display screen by first turning the printer off. Unplug the printer’s power supply cable, then plug the cable back into the electrical outlet. Turn the printer on.

2. Clear the paper jam if a “Hardware Error: 402” message appears on the digital display screen.

3. Reset the printer if a “Hardware Error: 502” message appears on the digital display screen. Turn the power to the printer off, then unplug the printer’s power supply cable. Plug the printer’s power supply cord into the electrical outlet and turn the printer on.

References

• “Dell Personal All-In-One Printer A960 User's Guide”; Dell Inc.; 2003