Fix common printer problems

Printers, oh printers. So simple to use and dependable…until they aren’t. Yes, even the major appliance, which appears to be the sole constant in your office or house, has bad days.

Dealing with printer issues is something that consumers have to deal with regularly. On the other hand, others rely on a little basic know-how to save money and time rather than calling IT or going to a tech support center.

Of course, the issues you have with your printer will differ depending on the type and model. However, regardless of which printer you use, it’s critical that you understand these issues and how to resolve them. Kim’s preferred printer can be found by tapping or clicking here.

Here are four typical printer issues, as well as how to fix them.

1. No printing due to a lack of ink

We’ve all been in that situation. If you haven’t done so already, you’ll need to hire someone to do it for you. The low ink warning mechanism provides consumers with adequate time to obtain replacement cartridges before the ink reserves run out completely.

Some printers, on the other hand, refuse to print if ink levels are low. Consider an automobile that suddenly stops running after only a quarter tank of gas has been used. This is ludicrous and should not be permitted.

While most printers experience low ink issues regularly, the Epson EcoTank has very few of them. Instead of cartridges, it has four built-in, supersized tanks for each hue that you can easily refill when they’re running low.

Also, there’s no need to be concerned about cartridges. The EcoTank comes with two years supply of ink, allowing you to save both time and money in the long run.

Note: Regular listeners of Kim’s show are likely to have heard her mention Epson, her sponsor, several times. The Epson 4750 EcoTank has won a permanent spot in our office. We never have to worry about ink replacement because of innovative cartridge-free printing and easy-to-fill supersized tanks, and neither should you. See why Kim prefers the Epson EcoTank family of printers. Epson.com/EcoTankKim and a Best Buy, Office Depot, or OfficeMax near you have them, as well as online at Epson.com/EcoTankKim.

2. There are paper jams

This was once so prevalent with printers that office workers would arrange it into their calendars to make up for a lost time when trying to print. Even now, the dreadful paper jam might be found. It always seems to happen when you’re on a tight deadline or getting ready for a client meeting.

Misalignment of the paper is the most common cause of paper jams. Before placing the stack of paper in the tray, double-check that it is precisely aligned and that the guides are flush with the form. It’s also a good idea to avoid overfilling the tray.

There’s no need to be overly cautious if you have the correct gear. The EcoTank 4750 features a 30-sheet automated document feeder (ADF) and a 250-page paper tray. Paper jams will be a thing of the past.

3. Printing is taking too long

A need for speed should drive printers. Unfortunately, good speed is not a feature shared by all brands. Most printers have a print speed of 11-13 PPM (pages per minute). However, the EcoTank 4750 has a print speed of around 15 PPM — a big difference.

It’s best to avoid two-sided printing, also known as duplex printing if you want to save time. When a printer has to flip the paper over to print on both sides, it can drastically slow down print times; however, Epson’s 4750 includes an automatic two-sided printing capability that allows it to maintain its regular print speed.

4. It simply will not print.

Your printer may not be working for a variety of reasons. You would have had to call someone or replace your printer a long time ago. But there are a few things you should check before tossing it out the window.

Check if the printer’s USB or Ethernet cord is connected if you don’t see any error messages guiding you to the problem. If it’s a wireless model, double-check that the Wi-Fi is turned on and that it’s linked to the correct network.

If you’re printing from a new computer, you’ll need to install the printer driver and software. If they’re already installed, the driver may have become corrupted. If this is the case, it should be reinstalled. For the most recent software version and installation instructions, go to the manufacturer’s download website.

If all else fails, restarting is the best option. It would help if you started by continuing your software program. If it doesn’t work, restart your computer. Finally, please turn off your printer for a few seconds before restarting it.