Troubleshooting Printer Problems

Question 1

Testing the Printing

Answer 1

• Print or scan a test page
  
  • Built into windows
  • Not the application
• Use diagnostic tools
  
  • Web based utilities
  • Vendor specific
  • Generic

Question 2

Bad Output

Answer 2

• Streaks & blurs
  
  • Inkjet = clean print heads
  • Laser = check for scratched photosensitive drums
• Faded prints , blank pages
  
  • Low toner or ink
• Ghost image
  
  • Laser printer optical drum not cleaned properly
  • Ghost or shadow from previous drum rotation

Question 3

Final Print

Answer 3

• Color print in wrong print color
  
  • Low ink in one cartridge
  • Everything else works
• Laser printer output smudges
  
  • Toner not fused to paper
  • May not be hot

Question 4

Paper Jam

Answer 4

-Careful when removing

• Paper not feeding
  
  • Check tray
  • Pick up rollers
• Creased paper
  
  • Paper path
  • Paper weight (thickness)

Question 5

Network Issues

Answer 5

• No connectivity
  
  • Powered on
  • User intervention required
  • Wired cabling / wireless settings
• Access denied
  
  • Security tab
  • Print
  • Manage this printer / Documents

Question 6

Bad Output

Answer 6

• Garbled characters on paper
  
  • Bad printer driver / wrong model
• Incorrect page description language
  
  • PCL or Postscript)

-Bad application

Question 7

OS Issues

Answer 7

• Unable to install printer
  
  • Drivers are important OS update
  • Users must have proper rights
  • Check the printer (32bit vs 64bit)
• Backup printer queue
  
  • Printer server not working
  • Printer spooler cash
  • Restart the spooler
  • Change recovery options

Question 8

Error Messages

Answer 8

• Error codes
  
  • On the printer display
  • Today printers have large displays

Low memory errors

 - Laser printers build entire page in memory
 - Complex images & graphics consume more memory

Question 9

No Output

Answer 9

• Check the printer
  
  • Getting power? Check display
  • Run test print
• Check connectivity
  
  • Print test page from computer
  • Check direct connections
  • Try across the network
  • Test the operating system , network, drivers & spooler