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General Printer Troubleshooting

The document provides troubleshooting tips for common printer issues: 1) Check that the printer is receiving power by verifying the power light is on and cables are securely connected. 2) Ensure data cables connecting the printer to the computer are properly attached. 3) An orange or blinking light usually indicates a printer error like a paper jam; check the manual for specifics. 4) Make sure paper is loaded correctly and not jammed.

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Marah Lovelle Dela Cruz
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177 views3 pages

General Printer Troubleshooting

The document provides troubleshooting tips for common printer issues: 1) Check that the printer is receiving power by verifying the power light is on and cables are securely connected. 2) Ensure data cables connecting the printer to the computer are properly attached. 3) An orange or blinking light usually indicates a printer error like a paper jam; check the manual for specifics. 4) Make sure paper is loaded correctly and not jammed.

Uploaded by

Marah Lovelle Dela Cruz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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General printer troubleshooting

Printer does not have power indicator

First, make sure that the printer is on. When a printer is on, it should have some light or LED
(usually green) indicating it's receiving power.
If you do not have any indicator light, make sure the printer is connected to a working power
outlet by verifying each end of the power cable. Next, press the printer power button.
If after doing the above steps, the printer still does not display a power status indicator light, you
have a serious printer issue and we suggest contacting the printer manufacturer for repair or
replacement.

Cables not connected properly


Your printer should have two cables connected to it: the power cable and the data cable. Make
sure the power and data cables (parallel cable or USB cable) are connected to both the printer
and computer.

Printer error (orange or blinking light)


After your printer has completed its initial startup, you should see a solid colored light. If the
indicator is blinking or is orange, often this is an indication of a printer error, like a paper jam or
an issue with the ink or toner cartridge. As there are not standards for all printers, if you see a
blinking light, visit the manufacturer's site or review the printer manual for specific error details.

No paper or paper jam


Without paper, your printer will not be able to print. Make sure you have paper loaded into the
printer paper cartridge or tray. Next, verify that no printer paper is jammed or partially fed into
the printer. If you suspect paper is stuck somewhere it shouldn't be, refer to our help page for
paper jams.

Inkjet printer ink related issues


Often when you're encountering an ink related issue, your printer status indicator light
(mentioned above) should be flashing. If this is not occurring, you may want to skip to the next
section. However, if you've recently inserted a new ink cartridge, you may want to try the below
suggestions.
 Replacing ink cartridges and printer not working.

Printer self tests


Most printers have a way of printing a test page. A printer test page allows you to determine if
the printer is working. The printer self test is usually accomplished by holding down a series of
keys. If you are not sure if your printer has this feature or how to perform it, refer to the printer
manual or visit the printer manufacturer's website.
You can also perform a software self-test to determine if the computer can see the printer and it's
able to print. Follow the steps below to perform this test.

Microsoft Windows users


1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Click or double-click the Printers, Printers and Fax, or Devices and Printers icon.
3. Right-click on the printer you want to test and select the Properties or Printer
Properties option. If you do not see your printer listed, your printer is not installed.
4. In the printer's Properties window, click the Print Test Page button.
5. If the printer can print a test page, your printer is installed and set up properly. However,
if you are unable to print in other programs, the program you are attempting to print from
likely has issues.

Older versions of Windows with older printers


If you are running an older printer and MS-DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows 98, or
Windows NT, you can also attempt the below software test.
1. Get to an MS-DOS prompt or Windows command line
2. Get to the root directory by typing cd\
3. Reroute dir to printer by typing dir > lpt1
The above should take the directory listing and print it to the printer. If this does not print, refer
to your operating system troubleshooting section.
Note: The above command does not do a paper feed, so you need to press your FF or PP options
on the printer, or you can try manually ejecting the paper.

Printer drivers
If your printer does not have any flashing lights and is connected properly, it's possible you may
be encountering a driver related issue. We suggest visiting our printer driver listing, which links
to all major printer manufacturer driver pages, and download the latest drivers for your printer.

Parallel (LPT) printers


If the printer you're connecting to the computer is an LPT (parallel port) printer, we also suggest
verifying the below settings if your printer is not working.
Parallel port in CMOS
1. Enter the computers CMOS setup.
2. Once in CMOS, verify that your parallel port is enabled or installed.
3. Next, verify the printer or parallel port mode. If your parallel port is set to ECP mode, we
suggest trying a different mode.

Other parallel device


If you have a parallel printer with other parallel devices, such as a parallel scanner or zip drive,
temporarily disconnect these devices to verify they are not causing issues with your printer.

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