Printer Repair Basics

By Mike Arneson, eHow Contributor

Nonfunctioning printers can cause major headaches and aggravation for the people who depend on them. When a printer stops working correctly, you might be tempted to call tech support, or you might want to jump in with both feet and solve the problem yourself. If, in either case, you don't know about printers, here are a few simple troubleshooting and repair steps that will help you and your coworkers get back to work.

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1. Precautions

   • Before you get started, keep the following in mind. If at any time you don't feel comfortable performing repairs, call tech support. Always unplug the printer before reaching into it. Never spray cleaning agents directly into a device; always moisten a lint-free cloth and apply the cleaner using the cloth. Toner cartridges should not be exposed to excessive light; always place the cartridge in a darkened environment if it must be out of the printer for extended periods.
     

   First Steps

   • When your printer stops working, try these remedies first. Check the cables. The printer should be plugged in, powered up and securely connected. Reconnect or snug up any loose cables. Check the paper trays. A printer without paper won't print. Check the computer. The printer should show up in the computer's printer folder. If it does not, install the printer software from the accompanying media or from the Internet.
     
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   Paper Jams

   • You may be able to remove jammed paper without dismantling the printer, depending on a jam's location.
     Do not, under any circumstance, yank the jam out of the printer. There are delicate mechanisms involved in the feed process, and they can be damaged when paper is yanked through. Always pull firmly but gently. If the paper begins tearing, or seems too stubborn, call a technician.
     Avoid touching rubber roller surfaces. The oils from your skin can react with the rubber, reducing roller life. Incidental contact is nothing to worry about, but keep it to a minimum.
     Do not touch the fuser assembly and corona wire. Their operating temperatures are very high, and they can cause burns, as well as electrical shocks. The corona wire is a fine wire that is usually visible when the printer is open. Again, remember to unplug your printer before reaching into it.
     

   Printing Will Not Stop

   • When the printer won't stop printing, delete any jobs in the print queue. If the printer continues to print, turn off the power and unplug it for a minute or so. If this does not work, unplug the printer again, and also reboot the computer that sent the job. The job should then be cleared from the printer's memory and the computer software that handles printing (print spool). If the printer still continues printing at this point, turn it off and contact technical support.
     

   Paper Misfeeds

   • You can blame humidity and static if there's a paper misfeed. When loading the printer, always riffle the paper to separate the sheets. Persistent misfeeds, jams and double-sheeting may indicate that one or more of the feed rollers is worn. This repair usually requires the attention of a professional. Replacing the feed rollers is generally cost-effective when compared to replacing the entire printer.
     

   Fuser Maintenance

   • If a laser printer is leaving clumps of toner or is laying down heavy, smudgy print, it's time to clean the printer. The simplest way to do so is to purchase laser printer cleaning sheets, which are available at most office supply stores. Run a few sheets through the printer and then print a test page. If the problem clears up, then the printer just needed a cleaning. If the problem persists, or gets worse, it could indicate that the fuser unit is going bad. Replacing the fuser unit may not be cost-effective compared to replacing the entire printer, and it is a job for a professional technician.
     

   Not Enough Ink

   • When your print jobs come out too light, the problem could lie in the toner cartridge. Laser printers use toner, which can become unevenly distributed as the cartridge runs out. Remove the cartridge from the printer and give it a few good shakes from side to side. This will temporarily solve the problem, but you'll need to purchase a replacement cartridge soon.
     Multicolor jobs missing colors, or spotty Inkjet printers disperse ink from their cartridges via tiny holes, which can become clogged with disuse. Most inkjet printer software includes a cleaning function. This function uses a large amount of ink and you should use it sparingly.
     If the cleaning function does not work, remove the cartridge. The cartridge contact area will probably show gobs of dried ink. A little window-cleaning solution wiped across the contacts can clean the obstructing ink. Apply the solution to a lint-free rag so rag is damp (not saturated), and gently wipe the contact until it's relatively clean. You won't get it spotless, because some ink will be drawn out when you wipe. Allow the cartridge to dry completely before reinstalling it.
     Color laser printers (CLP) use toner at different rates. Missing colors or unevenly balanced colors on CLP print jobs usually indicates that you need to replace the corresponding toner cartridge.
     Sometimes, a print job will be missing areas of print. If so, try shaking the toner cartridge. If this doesn't resolve the problem, try replacing it with a new one. If the problem persists, it is a sign the image transfer unit is failing. This repair requires professional assistance and may not be cost-effective when compared to replacing the entire printer.
     

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