How to Solve the Most Common Printer Problems

We have all been there you have five minutes to print out a very important report. But when you go to print out your report nothing happens. You check the power is on, you know nothing has changed since you printed this morning. Well this article will show you how to troubleshoot your printer.

Instructions

• I have already mentioned this but! Check if every thing is turned on such as the printer and any USB hubs that you may be using
• Check for any error messages on the printer or popups on the computer while your trying to print. Then check the printer manual to decipher the cryptic error messages that some printers can produce.

• Check the paper tray isn’t empty. Also check that the paper tray is secure as few millimeters out and the printer may not print
• Check the usb cable connecting the printer. Try unplugging the usb cable or another usb port (If the printer is plugged into a hub or the front of the PC try the ports on the back of the pc)

• If the printer is printing out strange characters then this is usually a printer driver error. Check the manafacturers website for updated drivers and reinstall.

• If the printer has disappeared from the printers and faxes screen then the printer spooler has crashed. Open the start menu and in XP open the run or in Vista/7 Type into the Search box (Once command at a time)

net stop spooler net start spooler exit

• The Last way is to unplug the printer, uninstall the drivers then reboot the computer. Then install as if it was new