5.6 - Troubleshooting Printers

Question 1

Testing the printer

Answer 1

Print or scan a test page
– Built into Windows, not the application

Use diagnostic tools
– Web-based utilities built into the printer
– Vendor specific
– Generic utilities

Question 2

Bad output

Answer 2

Lines down printed page
– Inkjet: Clean print heads
– Laser: Check for scratched photosensitive drum

Faded prints/blank pages - Low toner or ink

Double/echo images or speckling
– Laser printer optical drum not cleaned properly
– Ghost or “shadow” from previous drum rotation

Question 3

Garbled print

Answer 3

Bad printer driver / wrong model
– Incorrect page description language
(PCL or PostScript?)

Verify the printer functionality
– Check with a test page

Bad application
– Check the output
– Upgrade the application

Question 4

Toner not sticking to the paper

Answer 4

Laser printer output smudges everywhere
– Toner sticks to everything

Toner not fused to the paper
– Toner should be permanently melted and pressed
– May not be hot

Fuser problem - Replace the fuser assembly

Question 5

Incorrect paper size

Answer 5

Print a letter size page
– Accidentally send it to a legal size paper tray

Printer stops and shows a message
– Gives you a chance to fix the issue

Tray selection is provided during the printing process
– Try printing again
– Change the defaults in the printer configuration

Question 6

Paper jam

Answer 6

Careful when removing
– Don’t rip the paper
– Don’t damage internal components

Paper not feeding or misfeeds multiple pages
– Check the tray
– Pickup rollers are part of a laser printer maintenance kit

Creased paper
– Problems in the paper path
– Check the paper weight

Question 7

Multiple prints pending in queue

Answer 7

Corrupted print jobs
– Print spooler will crash
– Most spooler configuration will automatically restart

Problems are logged
– Windows Event Viewer
- Windows-PrintService

One job may be causing the issue
– Monitor the queue for details

Question 8

Incorrect color settings

Answer 8

Output colors aren’t the same as the display
– Important for publishing + color printing

Calibrate monitor
– Third-party calibration tool will help

Check paper
– Bright white paper provides good color representation

Calibrate printer
– Proper amount of ink + toner

Question 9

Grinding noises

Answer 9

Never a good sound from your printer
– The ink is already manufactured

Something not operating properly
– Paper jam - Carriage is stalled or jammed

Each printer has a different process
– Check the manuals for removing paper jams
– Some inkjet printers have a particular process

May require additional maintenance
– Or replace the printer

Question 10

Finishing issues

Answer 10

Finishing happens after the ink or
toner has been applied
– Collate, binding, etc.

Staple jams
– Larger printers will collate and staple groups of papers
– Each printer manufacturer has a different removal
process

Incorrect hole punch location
– Verify with the printer driver
– May require a driver update

Question 11

Incorrect page orientation

Answer 11

Print a portrait page - Get a landscape print

Check the settings when printing
– Controlled by the print driver
– May require a driver update

The printer also has a default setting
– Check the settings on the printer console