Printers are extremely helpful unless they start throwing tantrums. Handling such erroneous printers can be annoying. However, you might not know how easily you can troubleshoot the most common printer problems.
Why is my printer connected but not printing? Or it could be a frustrating paper jam that keeps you distracted from your work. Whatever it is, we have included some simple fixes to address such common yet confusing printer issues. Let’s check them out and find their prompt solutions.
1. Offline Printer
Imagine you are in a hurry to get a printout, and suddenly your printer flags an ‘offline’ status! When you check the computer. It says connected. Why is my printer connected but not printing? We know that you are questioning the same thing yourself.
However, a printer can go offline for the following reasons:
- Unplugging
- Internal shortcuts
- Software hiccups
- Malfunctioning routers
- Low ink levels
- Disconnected cables
- Hardware faults and more.
Here are some easy fixes you can try for the common printer problems.
- Inspect every single connection between your problematic printer and computer.
- If your printer still doesn’t respond after you rectify plugging it in, sneak into the settings of your computer and printer.
- Do you have any kind of firewall enabled on your system? Then, ensure that you have turned on the firewall permission and that all the ports are open.
- Update your computer’s software and printer’s firmware.
- Also, don’t forget to restart the router, printer, and computer to reset the connection.
- Examine the ink level on your printer as well.
2. Paper Jams
The most aggravating printer issue among standard problems involves paper jams. The feeding mechanism of your printer suffers problems when paper jams occur. Printer rollers develop jams caused by loose sheets of paper dropping between them.
However, paper jams stem from the reasons below:
- Dirty printer rollers
- Mismatched paper sizes
- Error while loading the paper
- Improper paper settings
- Uneven edges of paper
- Wrinkled papers
- Incorrect pressure from the printer rollers, and so on.
The first precaution while handling a paper jam is that you should not pull the stuck paper. If you do so, then you might end up damaging the internal components further. Also, you might leave small pieces of paper behind and stuck between components inside your printer.
Then, how can you overcome a paper jam? Here’s what Printer Repair Dubai professionals recommend:
- Check out the manufacturer’s specifications on how to get rid of a paper jam.
- Otherwise, prevention is the best policy to avoid paper jams. Make sure you use the right type of paper.
- Additionally, handle the trays carefully while feeding the sheets of paper.
- Ensure you do not use wrinkled paper.
- In addition, apply regular maintenance to your printer, such as roller cleaning and more.
3. Low or Empty Ink Cartridges
Among HP printer problems and solutions, ink cartridges that keep flashing low or empty can be troublesome. Indeed, you might have replaced ink cartridges, and still, you get those warning signs. Before you take additional steps, be sure of the reasons behind them.
For example, using poor-quality or non-certified cartridges, incorrect installation or handling, improper printer settings, etc., can lead to such warnings. So, diagnose what is wrong with your printer.
If you ever find yourself stuck in this position, then you can try the following fixes:
- Start by installing ink cartridges correctly. If you face problems, refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for the successful installation of the cartridges.
- Additionally, inspect your printer settings minutely. Any seams in the printer settings can cause issues with cartridge detection. Thus, you will encounter printer issues.
- If you suffer from faded printouts, then try running a few cleaning cycles. Many printers now offer automatic cleaning cycles.
- If you still can’t restore the functionality of ink cartridges, you can purchase genuine cartridges. Alternatively, consult with a printer repair near me for a quick and long-lasting fix.
4. Overloaded Queue
Do you notice a loaded queue every time you are about to assign a new printing job? Well, such common printer problems are frustrating. However, such printer issues originate from spooler malfunctions. As a result, multiple printing jobs are stuck in the queue, and no job is completed.
You can address such a hectic situation by handling each printing job separately. Here are other potential tricks you can apply when your printer suffers from an overloaded queue.
- First, identify all the unnecessary printing jobs in the queue. Then, clear them one by one.
- After that, try rebooting the affected printer.
- Some printers have advanced monitoring systems to detect potential problems and resolve them.
- In case the issue persists, refer to the manufacturer’s user manual. Otherwise, contact a printer repair near me for further technical support.
5. Scanning Issues
You expect your multifunction printer to be a breeze when it comes to copying, scanning, faxing, and other functions. However, many users have reported that scanning problems are among the most common printer issues.
Typically, such printer issues can be resolved with the following solutions, such as:
- If your printer refuses to scan, give it a restart.
- Next, see if your MFP driver is updated or not. A quick and easy update can eradicate the scanning anomalies.
- Since faulty drivers can bother such functions, make sure you manually update or reinstall the multifunction printer driver.
- In case your printer’s scanner doesn’t return to its original state of scanning, closely examine the scanner glass. It might fail to scan your document if it is broken. Then, you must call a printer repair technician in Dubai.
6. Clogged Printhead
Apart from low or empty cartridge warnings, your printer may flash error codes corresponding to cartridges. Generally, the clogged printhead is the culprit, especially when you keep your printer idle for a long period. Among Canon, Brother, and HP printer problems and solutions, you might find it quite common for a printhead to be blocked because of dried ink.
Since the printhead holds your ink cartridges, it is essential for you to clean it. Here’s how you can use your printer’s self-cleaning mechanism to clean the printhead.
- On your Windows computer that connects to the printer, open the Control Panel.
- Next, click on ‘View devices and printers’ under the column named Hardware and Sound.
- Identify the printer from the screen and right-click on it. Then, choose “Open” from the pop-up menu.
- Afterward, launch the printer management app by double-clicking the relevant icon.
- Choose Printer Settings or an equivalent option.
- Now, check out Print Quality Tools and locate the option named Clean Printheads.
- Finally, carry on with the on-screen instructions to successfully perform a printhead cleaning.
The process will take several minutes. After that, you can test your printer.
Alternative Manual Printhead Cleaning Process
If your printer comes with no self-cleaning option, then opt for manual cleaning to get rid of such printer issues in Windows 10.
- To remove the ink cartridge, open the carriage access door. Bring the ink carriage to its center position.
- Then, unplug the printer and carefully remove the cartridges. Place them on paper towels.
- Based on your printer model, you can pull the release bar or release the latch to remove the printhead.
- Use a dedicated printhead cleaner to soak the printhead in it.
- If the ink buildup is too much, then you need to soak the printhead for hours.
- Get the printhead out of the cleaner and allow it to dry completely.
- Once the printhead is dry and ready, you can place it back into your printer. Replace the ink cartridges and turn on the printer.
How to Resolve Software and Hardware Problems with Your Printer?
For network printers, you should always keep an eye on the Wi-Fi connectivity. Try the built-in tool named Windows Troubleshooter on your Windows computer if you ever encounter stubborn software-related printer issues. However, visit a Printer Repair Dubai shop if you suspect it’s a severe hardware problem.