Inkjets are commonplace in homes and offices. But like any tool, they’re apt to be fussy at times, failing to deliver the crisp, clear prints you’ve come to expect. If your inkjet printer is jamming, turning out poor prints, or experiencing other issues, here’s a quick guide to troubleshooting common inkjet printer problems. You’ve come to the right place!
Paper Jams
There’s nothing more disheartening than the sound of a jammed printer, especially when you’re printing out a high-priority project. Most paper jams occur due to misaligned paper, worn-out rollers, or debris inside the printer. Always turn off the printer before proceeding. Pop open the casing, and gently pull out obviously jammed paper. Observe the interior carefully, looking for any obstructions. Afterward, remove, shuffle, and reload the paper, making sure the guides are in line.
Bad Print Quality
Are prints looking blurry, streaked, or faded? These issues could be signs your printer has an ink clog or similar issue. Check the ink levels on the printer’s panel. Dirty printheads could be another possibility, so run a cleaning cycle to be sure. There may also be a problem with the media you’re printing, so ensure you’re using the appropriate paper type for the machine. Also, don’t cheap out on paper! High-quality printing media delivers the best results.
Connectivity Issues
Is the printer not working, but nothing seems to be wrong with it? There could be a connectivity issue. The most basic connectivity issues are loose or unplugged cables. Inspect them all to make sure they are secure. Run a diagnostic test to confirm your network recognizes the printer—they could be completely out of touch!
Always update the software when prompted. Old drives may make your printer “invisible” to the system or unable to connect to the Wi-Fi. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as restarting your printer, router, and computer until they get back in touch with one another.
Spooler Issues
How’s your spooler? Here’s a better question: what is your spooler? The printer spooler is a service program managing print jobs sent to the printer. If the spooler fails, print jobs will be stuck in limbo. Go to your computer’s “Services” application, find the “Print Spooler” service, and restart it. You may need to go in and delete jobs that are stuck in the printer queue. You’ll find this capability under the printer settings on your computer.
Now you have a quick guide on how to troubleshoot common inkjet printer problems. If you continue to have problems, contact the printer manufacturer or consult their website for a FAQ on other troubleshooting techniques. Finally, don’t neglect regular maintenance! Have a technician visit your home or office every few months to clean out and inspect the printer for optimum performance!
