Solving Printer Problems

If you encounter printer problems, see the documentation that came with the printer and to the common causes and solutions listed in the following table.

Table 2-8Solving Printer Problems

Printer will not print.

Cause

Solution

 

 

Printer is not turned on and online.

Turn the printer on and make sure it is online.

 

 

The correct printer drivers for the application are not installed.

1. Install the correct printer driver for the application.

 

2. Try printing using the MS-DOS command:

 

DIR C:\ > LPT1

 

If the printer works, reload the printer driver.

 

 

If you are on a network, you may not have made the connection

Make the proper network connections to the printer.

to the printer.

 

 

 

Printer may have failed.

Run printer self-test.

 

 

Printer will not turn on.

 

 

 

Cause

Solution

 

 

The cables may not be connected properly.

Reconnect all cables and check the power cord and electrical outlet.

Printer prints garbled information.

Cause

Solution

 

 

The correct printer driver for the application is not installed.

Install the correct printer driver for the application.

 

 

The cables may not be connected properly.

Reconnect all cables.

 

 

Printer memory may be overloaded.

Reset the printer by turning it off for one minute, then turn it

 

back on.

 

 

Printer is offline.

 

 

 

Cause

Solution

 

 

The printer may be out of paper.

Check the paper tray and refill it if it is empty. Select online.

 

 

28 Chapter 2 Troubleshooting Without Diagnostics

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