Printers - Troubleshooting Flashcards
Ink streaks on printed output
Cause: Clogged inkjet print heads
Resolution
Use the printer’s software to clean the print heads.
Ink streaks on printed output
Cause: Misaligned inkjet print heads
Resolution
Use the printer’s software to align or calibrate the print heads.
Ink streaks on printed output
Cause: Laser drum unit no longer holding a negative charge
Resolution
Replace the drum unit with a new one.
Ink streaks on printed output
Cause: Laser excess toner reservoir is full
Resolution
On the toner cartridge, slide the small plastic strip back and forth to clear excess toner from the opening where the toner comes out.
Ink streaks on printed output
Cause: Toner is low
Resolution
Remove the toner cartridge, shake it from side to side, then reinsert it.
Ink streaks on printed output
Cause: Toner is depleted
Resolution
Replace the toner cartridge.
Ink streaks on printed output
Cause: Paper issue
Resolution
Verify paper is not damaged, scratched, or curled. In laser printers, if the paper has too much static electricity the transfer process doesn’t work perfectly causing streaking on the page.
Ink streaks on printed output
Cause: Printing in high-speed modes (fast or quick print)
Resolution
Use printer properties to increase the print quality mode.
Ink streaks on printed output
Cause: The computer is not fast enough to keep the printer fed with data
Resolution
Verify your computer meets the basic system requirements for the printer.
Close all open programs to save on resources.
Verify printer cable is not too long (10 ft for USB printer cables).
Enable Printer Spooling. Documents are loaded by the computer into a buffer and then the printer pulls them off the buffer at its own rate.
Faded Print Out
Cause: Clogged inkjet print heads
Resolution:
Use the printer’s software to clean the print heads.
Faded Print Out
Cause: Laser toner cartridge head is dirty
Resolution:
Use an activated toner cloth to wipe the toner cartridge head. Wipe the print heads from front to back.
Faded Print Out
Cause: Toner is low
Resolution:
Remove the toner cartridge, shake it from side to side, then reinsert it.
Faded Print Out
Cause: Toner is depleted
Resolution:
Replace the toner cartridge.
Faded Print Out
Cause: Paper has a textured surface or is of thicker stock
Resolution:
Print on smooth paper or thinner stock.
Ghost Images on Print Output
Cause: Incorrect paper
Resolution:
If the paper is too thick, glossy, or not designed for laser printing, ghosting can occur.
Ghost Images on Print Output
Cause: Build up of toner on the fuser rollers
Resolution:
If available, run the cleaning utility included with the printer’s software. If not available, physically clean the fuser rollers with a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol.
Ghost Images on Print Output
Cause: High-humidity
Resolution:
Lower the humidity in the location of the printer.
Ghost Images on Print Output
Cause: Drum failure
Resolution:
Replace the imaging drum.
Ghost Images on Print Output
Cause: Fuser unit failure
Resolution:
Replace the fuser unit.
Toner Not Fused to Paper
Cause: Incorrect paper
Resolution:
Use a paper compatible with laser printers.
Toner Not Fused to Paper
Cause: Printer is set to incorrect paper type
Resolution:
Set the printer’s properties to the paper type being used.
Toner Not Fused to Paper
Cause: The fuser is not melting the toner
Resolution:
Verify the fuser is heating. If it isn’t, replace the fuser unit.
Toner Not Fused to Paper
Cause: Build up of toner on the fuser rollers
Resolution:
If available, run the cleaning utility included with the printer’s software. If not available, physically clean the fuser rollers with a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol.
Damaged Paper
Cause: Debris is caught in paper path
Resolution:
Check paper path for paper jams, bits of paper, and other obstructions. Gently removing any debris.
Damaged Paper
Cause: Dirty paper feed rollers
Resolution:
Use a cotton pad dipped in rubbing alcohol to wipe any debris from the surface of the paper feed rollers.
Damaged Paper
Cause: Incorrect paper type
Resolution:
Verify the type and weight of paper is compatible with the printer.
Damaged Paper
Cause: Paper is loaded incorrectly
Resolution:
Take the paper out of the paper tray. Realign the edges of the stack and reinsert in the tray. Make sure the stack of paper is not above the maximum load mark.
Damaged Paper
Cause: Paper guides are too loose or tight
Resolution:
Readjust the paper guides in the tray so that they hold the stack of paper in place, but do not impede the feed rollers ability to draw a paper out of the tray.
Paper not Feeding Correctly
Cause: Dirty paper feed rollers
Resolution:
Use a cotton pad dipped in rubbing alcohol to wipe any debris from the surface of the paper feed rollers.
Paper not Feeding Correctly
Cause: Debris is caught in paper path
Resolution:
Check paper path for paper jams, bits of paper, and other obstructions. Gently removing any jams or debris.
Paper not Feeding Correctly
Cause: Paper issue
Resolution:
Verify the paper isn’t curled or creased.
Paper not Feeding Correctly
Cause: Paper is loaded incorrectly
Resolution:
Take the paper out of the paper tray. Realign the edges of the stack and reinsert in the tray. Make sure the stack of paper is not above the maximum load mark or below the minimum load mark.
Paper not Feeding Correctly
Cause: Paper feed roller belt is worn or damaged
Resolution:
Replace the belt.
Paper Jams
Cause: Overfilled paper tray
Resolution:
Make sure the stack of paper is below the maximum load mark.
Paper Jams
Cause: Paper is loaded incorrectly
Resolution:
Take the paper out of the paper tray. Realign the edges of the stack and reinsert in the tray.
Paper Jams
Cause: Paper guides are too loose or tight
Resolution:
Readjust the paper guides in the tray so that they hold the stack of paper in place, but do not impede the feed rollers ability to draw a paper out of the tray.
Paper Jams
Cause: Paper issue
Resolution:
Verify paper is not damaged, scratched, or curled.
Paper Jams
Cause: Using incorrect paper
Resolution:
Folded, labeled, and specialty paper, such as printed stationery, can often cause jams because they have irregular dimensions. Use only paper types compatible with your printer.
Paper Jams
Cause: Using multiple paper types
Resolution:
Use all the same paper type in the tray.
Paper Jams
Cause: Debris is caught in paper path
Resolution:
Check paper path for paper jams, bits of paper, and other obstructions. Gently removing any debris.
Unable to Connect to the Printer
Cause: Printer’s power is turned off
Resolution:
Make sure the printer has power.
Unable to Connect to the Printer
Cause: Printer’s data connection has come to loose
Resolution:
Verify the data cable is securely connected. If the printer’s data connection is wireless, verify wireless is turned on at both the printer and the client.
Unable to Connect to the Printer
Cause: Permission changes on shared or network printer
Resolution:
Contact the printer’s owner or administrator to check the access permissions.
Unable to Connect to the Printer
Cause: Operating system update
Resolution:
Operating system updates can sometimes negatively affect printer drivers.
If you are running Windows, run the Printer Troubleshooter, or if your manufacturer provides one, run their Print Diagnostic Utility.
Download and reinstall the print driver.
Remove and reinstall the printer.
Use a system restore to roll your system back to a time when you could connect.
Unable to Connect to the Printer
Cause: Damaged or outdated print driver
Resolution:
Download and reinstall the print driver.
Unable to Connect to the Printer
Cause: Anti-virus or firewall software
Resolution:
New installations or updates to anti-virus or firewall software can affect connections to networked or shared devices. Disable any anti-virus or security software to see if that fixes the printer connectivity problem.
Unable to Connect to the Printer
Cause: IP address of a network printer changed
Resolution:
Remove and reinstall the printer to reestablish the connection with the printer at the new IP address. Tip: Use a static IP address for all network printers.
Unable to Connect to the Printer
Cause: The printer is in sleep mode and the computer can’t wake it up
Resolution:
Go to the printer and manually wake it up using the onboard control panel.
Garbled Characters on Printed Output
Cause: Incorrect or corrupt print driver
Resolution:
Download and reinstall the appropriate print driver for your specific print device and operating system.
Garbled Characters on Printed Output
Cause: Loose or damaged data cable
Resolution:
Verify the data cable is securely connected. Try a different data cable.
Garbled Characters on Printed Output
Cause: Attempting to print a corrupt file
Resolution:
Try printing smaller sections of document. For example, print individual pages to see if you can locate a specific problem in the file.
Garbled Characters on Printed Output
Cause: Virus or malware
Resolution:
Run virus and malware scanners.
Garbled Characters on Printed Output
Cause: Software issue
Resolution:
Try printing from another software program or running a printer test page. If you’ve determined the problem is limited to one particular software, check the manufacturer’s Website for a fix.
Garbled Characters on Printed Output
Cause: Operating system issue
Resolution:
Look for a hotfix or patch from your operating system manufacturer.
Vertical Lines on the Page
Cause: Toner on the main corona or transfer corona wire
Resolution:
Can cause vertical white areas on a laser printout. Clean the corona wires or replace the toner cartridge, which has new corona wires in it.
Vertical Lines on the Page
Cause: Low resolution image
Resolution:
Lower resolution images that display okay on screen might be stretched out when printed. This increases the likelihood of the small spaces between image pixels being visible, which can lead to vertical lines running down the paper. Obtain a higher resolution image.
Vertical Lines on the Page
Cause: Print resolution setting is too low
Resolution:
When printing at a very low dpi, the printer can’t increase the dot size pitch (how large an individual dot is) to compensate for a low number of resolution lines in the print. Increase the print resolution setting.
Vertical Lines on the Page
Cause: Dust and debris on the printer heads and rollers block the ink from getting to the page
Resolution:
Clean the print heads and rollers.
Vertical Lines on the Page
Cause: Low ink/toner
Resolution:
Gently shake the cartridge to see if you can get more ink/toner out of it. Replace the cartridge.
Back up in the Print Queue
Cause: Print job can’t be interpreted by the printer or print server
Resolution:
Causes it to lock. Delete the print job from the print queue. If you can’t delete the job from the queue, stop and restart the print spooler service.
Back up in the Print Queue
Cause: Bi-directional printing is enabled but not supported by the printer
Resolution:
Turn off bi-directional printing.
Back up in the Print Queue
Cause: Corrupt or incorrect print driver
Resolution:
Reinstall correct print driver.
Low Memory Errors
Cause: The memory setting on the printer driver is too low
Resolution:
By default the memory setting for some printer drivers is configured to the lowest possible setting. Use the printer’s Device Options or Settings to increase the printer memory.
Low Memory Errors
Cause: Printer memory is being used for another complex print job
Resolution:
Wait for the first job to complete or interrupt it if your new print job takes priority.
Low Memory Errors
Cause: Not enough memory in the printer
Resolution:
If possible, upgrade the printer’s memory. If you have an older printer where you can’t upgrade the memory, you might want to consider purchasing a new printer.
Printer Access Denied
Cause: Credentials were not saved properly when the printer was installed
Resolution:
Remove and then reinstall the printer, making sure to save credentials when prompted.
Printer Access Denied
Cause: The user doesn’t have access
Resolution:
Add the user to the printer’s access list. Verify the user is not a member of a group that is denied access to the printer.
Printer Access Denied
Cause: Print server or host computer does not have correct print drivers for client
Resolution:
Using Printer Management, install the correct drivers.
Printer Access Denied
Cause: Network and Sharing is not enabled
Resolution:
Enable the Network and Sharing feature.
Printer Access Denied
Cause: Firewall is preventing access
Resolution:
Disable firewall software.
Printer Access Denied
Cause: Anti-virus software is preventing access
Resolution:
Disable anti-virus software.
Printer Won’t Work
Cause: Out of paper
Resolution:
Add paper to the paper tray.
Printer Won’t Work
Cause: Out of ink/toner
Resolution:
Replace the empty cartridge.
Printer Won’t Work
Cause: The printer is not turned on
Resolution:
Power on the printer.
Printer Won’t Work
Cause: Loose or damaged data cable
Resolution:
Verify the data cable is securely connected. Try a different data cable. If the computer is connected via Wi-Fi, verify the Wi-Fi connection is working.
Printer Won’t Work
Cause: Incorrect or corrupt print driver
Resolution:
Download and reinstall the appropriate print driver for your specific print device and operating system.
Printer Won’t Work
Cause: Another printer is the default printer
Resolution:
Print job printed or entered the print queue for the default printer, not this one. Change the default printer or verify you have correctly selected this printer.
Printer Won’t Work
Cause: The printer is not an AirPrint printer
Resolution:
If you are attempting to print from an “i” branded device, they will only print to compatible AirPrinters.
Color Prints in Wrong Color
Cause: Clogged inkjet print heads
Resolution:
Use the printer’s software to clean the print heads.
Color Prints in Wrong Color
Cause: A color cartridge has run out
Resolution:
Most printers give you an error and stop printing if a color cartridge runs out, but a few might keep attempting to print. Check the cartridges and replace any empty ones.
Color Prints in Wrong Color
Cause: Loose or damaged data cable
Resolution:
Verify the data cable is securely connected. Try a different data cable.
Color Prints in Wrong Color
Cause: Software issue
Resolution:
Try printing from another software program or running a printer test page. If you’ve determined the problem is limited to one particular software, check the manufacturer’s Website for a fix.
Color Prints in Wrong Color
Cause: Print driver color setting is incorrect
Resolution:
Refer to your printer manufacturer’s documentation to adjust the print driver’s color settings. For example, Epson printers use Color Control and sRGB print modes, Canon printers have Color Adjustment modes, and HP printers have a Color tab with available settings.
Unable to Install Local Printer
Cause: Printer is not turned on
Resolution:
Power on the printer.
Unable to Install Local Printer
Cause: Driver conflict
Resolution:
Remove previous versions of the printer driver. You might have to do this manually from within the file system and, if in Windows, the Registry.
Unable to Install Local Printer
Cause: Print Spooler service isn’t running
Resolution:
Start the print spooler service. Make sure it is set to automatic startup.
Unable to Install Local Printer
Cause: A service the Print Spooler depends on isn’t running
Resolution:
View the Print Spooler’s dependencies and verify each is running. Start any that aren’t running. Make sure the services are set to automatic startup.
Unable to Install a Network Printer
Cause: The print server or host computer has different OS or different OS version and it doesn’t have the driver for your operating system available
Resolution:
Check to see if your printer manufacturer provides a proprietary install kit. This kit will install the driver on your computer without verifying the physical presence of the printer.
Unable to Install a Network Printer
Cause: Network and Sharing is not enabled
Resolution:
Enable the Network and Sharing feature.
Unable to Install a Network Printer
Cause: Firewall is preventing access
Resolution:
Disable firewall software.
Unable to Install a Network Printer
Cause: Anti-virus software is preventing access
Resolution:
Disable anti-virus software.
Printing Blank Pages - Non Laser Printers
Cause: Separator pages is enabled
Resolution:
Turn off the separator page feature in the printer’s preferences.
Printing Blank Pages - Non Laser Printers
Cause: Incorrect paper size is selected
Resolution:
Select the correct paper size in the printer’s preferences.
Printing Blank Pages - Non Laser Printers
Cause: Clogged inkjet print heads
Resolution:
Use the printer’s software to clean the print heads.
Printing Blank Pages - Non Laser Printers
Cause: A cartridge is empty
Resolution:
Replace any empty cartridges. Many color printers won’t allow you to print in B&W if a single color cartridge is empty. Usually the printer won’t print, but sometimes it will feed the paper through without printing anything on it.
Printing Blank Pages - Laser Printers
Cause: No toner is available for print
Resolution:
If you just installed a toner cartridge, make sure you removed the sealing tape. Replace the toner cartridge if empty.
Printing Blank Pages - Laser Printers
Cause: Debris is obstructing the laser beam
Resolution:
Clean the inside of the printer and remove any debris from within the paper path.
Printing Blank Pages - Laser Printers
Cause: No transfer roller voltage
Resolution:
Perform a half-way test. Determine if there is an image on the imaging drum. If there is an image on the drum, verify sure the transfer roller is installed and working. Without transfer roller voltage, the toner isn’t pulled to the paper from the surface of the drum. Replace the transfer roller if necessary.
Printing Blank Pages - Laser Printers
Cause: No developing bias
Resolution:
Perform a half-way test. Determine if there is an image on the imaging drum. If there isn’t an image on the drum, clean the high-voltage power supply contacts. If this doesn’t help, you might need to replace the high-voltage unit or the engine controller board.
Printing Blank Pages - Laser Printers
Cause: Defective laser scanner cable
Resolution:
Perform a half-way test. Determine if there is an image on the imaging drum. If there isn’t an image on the drum, low-level signals exchanged between the laser/scanner assembly and the engine controller board could theoretically affect laser output. You might need to replace the laser/scanner cable assembly.
No Image on the Printer Display
Cause: Printer power is off
Resolution:
Turn on the power to the printer.
No Image on the Printer Display
Cause: Printer needs to be reset
Resolution:
Cycle the power off, remove the power cord, wait 10 seconds, plug the power cord back in, and then power the printer on again.
No Image on the Printer Display
Cause: Surge protector is preventing power from reaching printer
Resolution:
Plug printer directly into a wall outlet.
No Image on the Printer Display
Cause: Printer’s firmware needs updating
Resolution:
Download and install firmware update from your printer manufacturer’s Web site.
No Image on the Printer Display
Cause: Display panel needs to be replaced
Resolution:
Hardware replacement of the display panel.
