How to Fix Computer Printer Problems
No matter what type of printer you own, it is important to know how to troubleshoot the unit. Learning how to troubleshoot common problems and resolve them on your own can save you both time and money. There are a few common problems to which nearly every printer is prone, and understanding how to fix those problems is the best way to keep your own unit up and running.
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Instructions
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1
Press and hold the power button on the printer until the LED begins to blink. Wait for a test page to print. If the test page prints but no output appears when you send a job to the printer, you know there is a problem with the communication between the printer and the computer.
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2
Remove the square end of the USB cable from the back of the printer and reseat it firmly. Remove the flat end of the cable from the USB port on your computer and move it to another empty USB port. Make sure the cable is firmly seated, then try your print job again. If the page still does not print, power cycle the printer and try again.
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3
Watch as the paper feeds into the printer. The paper should feed in straight--if it does not, remove all of the paper, then reload a couple of sheets and adjust the paper guides so that they fit snugly against the paper.
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4
Open the front of the printer and wait for the print cartridges to move to the center. Pull the cartridge forward slightly and lift it free of the printer.
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Dip a cotton swab in warm water and use it to clean the bottom surface of the print cartridge. Clean each cartridge carefully until all paper dust and print residue has been removed. Allow the print cartridges to dry completely before putting them back in the printer.
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Use a small vacuum cleaner to clean out the inside of the printer. A small hand-held vacuum cleaner like the kind used to clean computers works very well.
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References
- Photo Credit dun cat - printer image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
