Common Problems That Make Printing Difficult

2010-01-11

We've grown so attached to our computers that the mere thought of writing something with pen and paper instead of printing it out strikes us as unusual. But what happens when we hit "PRINT"and nothing happens? It's time to pull out the trusty owner's manual for the printer. But don't despair. There are a number of things we can do to easily determine if the problem is with hardware, software or the printer ink cartridges.

The first logical step is to make sure the printer is plugged in and the power is "ON."That's sort of like checking if there's gasoline in the tank before you call mechanic to diagnose why your car won't start. Then, depending on how often you use the printer and the type of printer, there's a possibility that the problem could be related to the ink cartridge. Some of the cartridges out there use solvent-based printer ink that can dry up if not used often enough. Open the cover to the printer and check the cartridges. Take them out and shake them. If you don't hear any ink sloshing around, there's a good chance you're out of ink. If that's the case, it's time to make a trip to our local office supply store to buy a replacement cartridge. However, it could also be that the heads are dirty.

If your cartridges are okay, something else may be the cause of printing difficulties. Check the printer cable and the ports on the computer and printer. Make sure all the pins are intact and that the connection is firmly clamped down. If that doesn't do it, go to control panel and cancel all printing jobs on the printing queue. Try to print again. There is also the possibility that the amount of data was too much for the printer to handle. Try turning your printer off and turning it back on. It could be a software issue. If you think this may be the case, reinstall the driver by inserting the installation disk that came with your printer. If you get desperate, you can always take the machine to a technician to have it looked at.

In the end, if the problem is serious, you may find yourself looking at new printers. Luckily, in today's printer market, printers can usually bough relatively cheap - usually at the cost of a color and black ink cartridge.

Just like any machinery, printers are made up of wires, electronic devices and plugs. There is a lot that can go wrong with them. The simple insertion of an ink cartridge the wrong way can hold up printing. Knowing how your printer works will help you avoid problems.