Skip to content

Basic Printer Troubleshooting Checklist

Josiah Branaman
Josiah Branaman
|
October 20, 2014

Subscribe to get updates!

Table of Contents

Cybersecurity Fundamentals Training

Endsight provides a complimentary cybersecurity training. Our goal is to bring awareness of the latest trends and best practices to help reduce cyber risk for our customers, our business community, and their families.

Register Now

Printers continue to be a serious cause for frustration. There is a reason the scene in Office Space, where they tear apart a printer in the field, still resonates with us. As other technology gets more sophisticated, printers have remained as frustrating and difficult to manage as ever.

Fortunately, some common issues that relatively easy to fix. If you run into a printer issue that can’t be fixed with this checklist, it is something that will need serious attention.

(This post has been updated to see the news tips click here)

1. Turn off the printer, turn it back on

As simple as it seems, this is one of the most effective ways to get a printer back on track and functioning normally.

2. Turn off the computer, turn it back on

Sometimes the issue isn’t just the printer.

3. Check the connections

Sometimes the most frustrating problems are caused by the smallest details. Checking that everything is connected will properly alieve a surprising amount of issues.

4. Check the status

In some instances, the printer will tell you exactly what is wrong with it. Go to the Control Panel and select Devices and Printers. Click on the printer that is having problems. It will usually tell you what is wrong.

5. Check the print queue

Make sure someone else hasn’t clogged the queue with a bunch of print jobs. If you have permissions, clearing problematic print jobs can get the printer back up and running.

6. Invest in a new printer

This, of course, won’t help immediately if you need something printed and your machine is giving you grief, but it will prevent a great many more complicated issues later on. Just like a backup solution. if you use consumer grade products for business-sized loads you will start to lose the money you saved by opting for a cheaper machine. In a business context, you need a machine that can withstand the load of a thriving business. By investing in a business-grade printer, you will most likely make back that money in the time you won’t be wasting dealing with the issues from a consumer grade machine.

 

A computer tech uses a laptop to troubleshoot remotely.

Why More Than 400 Companies Just Like Yours Choose to Spend More on IT

Endsight supports nearly 10,000 users across more than 400 organizations. And yes—there are less expensive IT options..

A businessman clicks on a screen with a shield and checkmark in the center of a circle.

How to Know If Your IT Provider Is Worth the Cost

Choosing the right IT provider is one of the most critical business decisions you’ll make Key Takeaways: You can't..