5.6 Given a scenario, troubleshoot & resolve printer issues Flashcards
What to do if a printer isnt found or is reported as offline?
Check for error codes on the printer’s control panel in the printer documentation
What are 4 basic checks to perform if your printer is not working?
Ensure:
- printer is on
- components & cartridges are properly installed
- service panels are closed
- paper in atleast one tray
Service panels in a printer are access points that allow users or technicians to perform maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair tasks.
What may be the issue if a test page prints successfully from the printer’s control panel but not from the computer?
the issue may be with the connection to the computer or network
What should you avoid doing when removing a stuck sheet of paper from a printer?
Using force
To prevent causing further damage
How should you remove a paper jam from the fuser unit of a laser printer?
Using the release levers to get paper out
without damaging the rollers
What should you check if paper jams are frequent in your printer?
- If the media are suitable for the printer (e.g. paper or labels)
- Ensure sheets are properly loaded (e.g. not creased or folded)
What should you do if a sheet of paper won’t come out easily from an inkjet printer?
Refer to instructions to release components blocking paper removal
What should you verify if paper is not feeding into the printer correctly?
Check paper size, weight, & tray alignment for proper loading
What should you inspect about the paper if the printer feeds multiple sheets at once?
Check that paper is not creased, damp, or dirty
How should you prepare the paper stack before loading it into the tray?
Fan the edge of the paper stack to separate the sheets
Don’t overdo it to avoid generating a static charge
What should you try if you have ruled out a media problem but the printer still has feeding issues?
(Meaning the paper isnt the issue)
Replace the pickup rollers
What does a grinding noise in a laser printer usually indicate?
A problem with the toner cartridge, fuser, or gears/rollers
What should you do first if a laser printer makes a grinding noise?
Pinpoint noise source & ensure all components are properly seated
What should you do if checking components and the paper path does not resolve the grinding noise in a laser printer?
Replace the printer cartridge
What does a grinding noise in an inkjet printer typically indicate?
A fault in the carriage mechanism
How can you fix a grinding noise in an inkjet printer?
Refer to vendor documentation for clutch mechanism re-engagement tips
What to do if a laser printer has faded/fainted prints?
Replace toner cartridge
But it could also be that the user selected low-density (draft) output
What may cause a laser print to print blank pages?
- App/driver problem
- Packing seals not removed from toner cartridge
- Damaged transfer roller
What may cause a laser printer to print with white stripes?
- Poorly distributed toner
- Dirty or damaged transfer roller
(if its the toner, then gently shake the cartridge)
What may cause a laser printer to print black stripes or a whole page black?
- Dirty/damaged primary charge roller
- Malfunctionaing power supply
- Faulty toner cartridge
What may cause a laser printer to have speckling on output?
Loose toner on paper
How to fix speckling on output on a laser printer?
Clean printer with an approved toner vacuum
What may cause vertical/horizontal lines on a laser printer?
Dirty feed rollers or photosensitive drum
Clean those parts
What may cause output to smudge easily on a laser printer?
If toner is not fused to paper
I this is the case, replace the toner
What may cause a laser printer to output double/echo images?
Photosensitive drum not cleaned properly
How to fix a laser printer that outputs double/echo images?
Print different images or replace the drum/toner cartridge
What causes a laser printer has incorrect chroma display?
Meaning prints come out in the wrong color
If toner cartridges are installed in the wrong slots, or insufficient toner
How to fix a laser printer with incorrect chroma display?
Meaning prints come out in the wrong color
Reseat cartridges, run calibration utility, & print a test page
What to do if a laser printer is missing color?
- Clean contacts between printer & carriage
- If that doesnt work, replace cartridge
What may be the reason if an inkjet printer has lines on printouts?
Dirty print head or blocked ink nozzle
What to do if an inkjet printer’s print head jams and the printer displays a status message or flashing LED?
Turn inkjet off, unplug it, then turn it back on
What might cause print output to smear easily, or appear wavy, wrinkled, or blurry in an inkjet printer?
Dirty feed roller
2 reaons for inconsistent color output in inkjet printers?
- ink reservoirs running low
- Print head for a cartridge is blocked
What do lines in dot matrix printer output indicate?
Stuck pin in print head
What happens if the platen gap is too wide in a dot matrix printer?
The platen is the gap between the paper & print head (Its to accommodate different paper types)
Causes faint printing
What happens if the platen gap is too narrow in a dot matrix printer?
Causes smudging
what do finisher units on laser printers & MFDs do?
Staple pages or punch holes
The printer settings msut be configured to use the finisher
What happens if a finisher is used, but the page orientation is set incorrectly
Finishing or binding will be aligned to the wrong edge
How to avoid a finisher from having hole punch jams?
Send print jobs in batches smaller than the finisher’s max sheet count
How to fix a finisher with a staple jam?
Remove staple cartridge & release catch to extract stuck staples
What subsystem handles display and print functions for compatible applications in Windows?
A subsystem is a functional unit within a larger system that performs specific tasks or functions. In the context of operating systems like Windows, subsystems handle specific types of tasks or services to support the overall operation of the system.
Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) subsystem
Where is a WPF print job spooled in Windows?
spooling (simultaneous peripheral operations on-line) is a process where data is temporarily held in a queue (spool) until a device or program is ready to process it. In the context of printing, spooling refers to the process of sending print jobs to a temporary storage location (spool folder) on the computer before they are sent to the printer for printing. This allows multiple print jobs to be managed and processed in an orderly manner.
Printer’s spool folder (%SystemRoot%\System32\Spool\Printers\)
How is a print job handled if the printer is accessed over the network?
A local redirector service transfers print jobs to the print server’s spooler for printing
Specifically. A redirector service on the local computer passes the print job from the local spool file to the spooler on the print server, which then transmits it to the print device.
What does a backed-up print queue mean?
There are multiple print jobs waiting but not printing
4 possible causes for a backed-up print queue?
- Offline printer
- Out of paper
- Out of ink/toner
- Error with a specific print job
What to do if restarting a print job still doesnt print?
Delete print job & try printing it again
How to access the printer’s print queue in Windows?
Settings > Open print queue
What to do if you can’t delete a print job?
Stop & restart the Spooler service
What does a garbled print mean?
Printer produces multiple pages with few characters or blank pages
What usually causes garbled print?
An error in the print job’s path from the app to the printer
What should you first do if you encount a garbled print?
- Cancel print job
- Clear print queue
- Cycle printer’s power
- Try printing again
When cycling the power, leave it off for 30 seconds
How can you determine if garbled print is caused by a specific app or file?
Print test page via OS. If successful, print a different file from the same app
What indicates a communication problem between the printer & Windows?
If printer panel test page prints but OS test page doesn’t
What to do if garbled print persists after clearing the print queue & cycling the power?
Update printer driver & ensure printer is set to use a supported PDL
Which would be PDL or PostScript
What should you check if strange characters appear in the printed document?
HINT: its font related
If specified font is available on PC/printer & check for font substitution in app
