Your printer isn't printing? Here is how to fix it.

It always happens when you need it least. The printer isn't printing. Now you need help quickly. It is alway good to stay calm and proceed systematically. If the printer isn't working it does not necessarily mean that you can't solve the problem by yourself. Follow the steps below and look for the source of the problem.

© Marcos Mesa Sam Wordley | shutterstock.com

Checklist

1. Check the energy connection and the connection to your PC!

2. Make sure your printer shows up as available in the operating system

3. Download and install the printer driver (download it from the printer manufacturer's website)

4. Update firmware (see printer manufacturer's website)

5. Check the paper supply and cartridges, clean cartridges if necessary

Check Energy and Cable Connections

Your printer isn't printing: at first consideration the cause may be a missing energy connection or a disconnected cable. Cables normally run behind the devices and are easily disconnected, for example by cleaning behind the printer. Please make sure that the printer is connected to a power socket and whether there is an intact cable connection to the PC. If the printer is correctly connected and you tried to switch it on but the display isn't turning on, you may need to contact customer service. If you find that the printer is receiving energy, is switched on and and the display is working but it is still not printing, there is no obviously visible damage to it. Please check all cables again and continue with the next step.

Check Settings in the Operating System

There can be various problems with the software that controls the communication between the printer and the PC. You can figure out which problem it is by proceeding with the exclusion principle. Whenever you make changes to your PC system, just change one setting at a time. Try to print after changing one setting. The printer isn't printing yet? Please try the next setting.

Depending on the platform used, e.g. Windows, Mac or Linux, the necessary settings for the printer can vary. With Windows you use the control panel. Search for the printer settings under "printers" and check if your device is visible. In the printer settings panel you can see which driver is installed for the printer you have problems with. If you can't find the printer which isn't printing, you may need to download the driver for the printer from the manufacturer's webside. To do so open the manufacturer's website and search for available updates and the driver download for your particular device. After downloading and installing the driver, a restart may be required. Follow the instructions of the operating system. It could be the case that the interface in which you want to operate the printer is not recognized correctly by the operating system. That would mean that the printer isn't printing because it can't be addressed correctly. If you have made an operating system update since purchasing your PC, you may need to download and install an additional driver from the manufacturer of your mainboard. Do not forget to restart the system. Your operating system will immediately report new interfaces and probably even detect the printer. After doing all of this your printer still isn't printing? Go back to the website of the printer manufacturer and search for new updates. Sometimes you also need to install a new firmware. The firmware is the software for the the printer. You should download and install the latest version.

Mac Operating System:

If you have an Apple notebook, it is advisable to ask for problem solving instructions from the regarding printer manufacturer.

Linux Operating System:

In the last years there has been very good support for users of the Linux operating system and various printer models. To log into the console using the root password and to restart or reinstall the software print server is usually solving the problem. A complete update of the whole system can also quickly solve the problem for Linux users.

Check Supplies

You have checked the hardware and made sure that all cables are properly connected. Nevertheless, your printer isn't printing? Please check the supplies in the printer. There should be enough paper in the tray and enough toner or ink in the cartridges. For some printer manufactures you can purchase refill ink or toner with electronic cartridge components which allow the printer software to recognise that only original manufacturer cartridges have been used. Please don't touch the contacts of the components. They are very sensitive. If you have not already done so, please remove the protective cover on the contact and reinsert the cartridge. Sometimes the contacts are dirty and need to be replaced.

© GUNDAM_Ai | shutterstock.com