Start with the printer itself
When printing fails it is tempting to dig through the computer's settings first, but the cause is often the printer itself. Check that it is switched on, that there is paper in the tray, that the covers are properly closed, and that there is ink or toner left. If a light is blinking or the display shows an error, that is the most accurate clue you will get. Blink patterns mean different things on different models, so looking up the model name in the manual or on the maker's support pages is the quickest route.
- Power and error lights or messages
- Paper loaded and the tray seated properly
- Covers and cartridges locked in place
- Ink or toner levels
When it shows as offline
If the computer lists the printer as offline, the connection between them has dropped. With a cable, reseat both ends and try a different port. Wireless printers commonly lose their connection after a router is replaced or the Wi-Fi password changes, in which case the printer's own Wi-Fi setup has to be redone. Make sure the printer and computer are on the same network, and that the computer hasn't joined the guest network. Restarting the router and then switching the printer off and on often brings the connection back.
Is it going to the wrong printer?
Installing a printer more than once or reinstalling its driver can leave the same printer listed two or more times, with names like "Copy 1". Your documents may be going to the copy that is no longer connected. In the operating system's printer list, set the one you actually use as the default and remove the ones you don't. Some operating systems have a setting that automatically makes the last printer used the default, which can make the default keep changing. Glancing at which printer is selected in the print dialog each time also helps.
When the print queue is stuck
If one job gets stuck in the queue, everything behind it stops too. Clicking Print again only makes the queue longer, so first open the queue and cancel every job. If they won't cancel or sit at "Deleting", switch both the printer and the computer off and on. If jobs still remain, you can restart the operating system's print spooler service. Once the queue is clear, print a test page to confirm the printer itself is working.
Drivers and updates
If printing stops after a major operating-system update or a move to a new computer, the driver is a good suspect. Download it from the maker's official site using the exact model name on the sticker at the back or underneath the printer. A driver for a similarly named model may install but not work properly. When reinstalling, it is cleaner to remove the existing printer from the list first and then add it again. Avoid "automatic driver installer" programs that turn up in search ads; some bundle unwanted software.
When prints are faded or streaky
If text from an inkjet printer is faint or has horizontal lines, first print the nozzle check pattern from the printer's maintenance menu to see which colour is blocked. If you find a gap, run a head cleaning once and check again. Cleaning uses a lot of ink, so rather than repeating it several times in a row, wait a few hours between attempts. Inkjet nozzles dry out easily when the printer sits unused, so printing a page now and then helps prevent it. A faded laser printer is usually close to the end of its toner; non-genuine supplies may not be recognised, so check the maker's guidance.
When paper jams
Yanking at a paper jam easily leaves torn scraps inside and turns a small problem into a bigger fault. Take extra care with laser printers, whose insides can be hot right after printing. If jams keep happening, look at the paper: sheets that are too thin or too thick, paper curled by damp, and an overfilled tray are common causes. Fan the stack lightly before loading it, and set the paper type in the print settings to match what is actually in the tray.
- Switch off and unplug before you start
- Pull slowly with both hands, in the direction the paper travels
- Check that no torn scraps are left behind
- Never use sharp tools such as knives or tweezers
When it prints but looks wrong
If edges are cut off or a one-page document spills onto two, the paper size setting is often to blame. A document made at Letter size sent to a printer loaded with A4 can trigger a paper mismatch error or come out at the wrong scale. Check the preview in the print dialog and try Fit to page. Web pages without a print layout tend to break apart, so saving them as a document first gives more even results. If none of this helps, or the printer makes strange noises or smells, stop using it and contact the maker's service centre.
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