It’s probably time to change printers. An outdated machine leads to high costs between slowing your business and paralyzing your IT department. When you’re ready to replace your printer, consider a model that comes with a service contract.
Printing is too slow.
A high-definition setting, insufficient memory, or unsuitable drivers can slow the printing speed. When you print in high definition, your computer and printer must process more data, slowing down printing. If you are not too demanding on quality, select draft, the standard model for internal documents.
For presentations or official documents, switch back to high definition. If printing large files is your daily grind, why not add some memory to your printer to keep it running smoothly. Switch from duplex (two-sided) mode to simplex mode: you’ll use more paper, but single-sided prints will be much faster.
Your driver also affects the speed of your printer. High-end laser printers and some inkjet printers come with different driver options – PostScript, PCL, and the host-based manufacturer’s driver.
Printer with a paper jam
You’ve solved the slow printing problem, and now you’re faced with the worst printing nightmare:
- Paper jams. Your printer’s user manual or control panel instructions should help you fix the problem fairly easily. Some Xerox printers even provide video assistance and lighted cabinets to help you clear the jammed sheet in no time.
- Start by examining the paper path.
- Remove the jammed sheet by pulling it at a right angle – be careful not to tear it.
If a misaligned sheet causes the jam, pull the tray out of the printer to ensure the paper is positioned correctly, and then reinsert the tray. Sometimes you won’t see any jammed sheets. In this case, take out the ream of paper, check that the sheets are perfectly stacked, and then put it back in the tray – after taking a deep breath. As a general rule, it’s always best to make sure your machine supports the type of paper you want to use.
Very Bad Prints
Your printer works perfectly well, but the result is not that great. Try these simple solutions to improve the quality of your laser prints. If your problems persist, they are probably due to your consumables or machine.
Check your printer driver. Did you choose the right paper and media type?
For some laser printers, the thermal transfer roller must be adjusted according to the type of paper. If your printer’s transfer roller can be adjusted manually, check its adjustment. Be careful as the transfer rollers get extremely hot.
Check that your toner cartridges, drum(s), and transfer roller are not damaged. These elements vary according to the models and the manufacturers. This is why they advise you to refer to your user manual. If there is smudging, print several white sheets until they eventually fade.
Why is there a communication error with my printer?
After the paper jam, the printer that won’t print ranks first on the list of printing problems.
You may have printed dozens of documents on the printer of the side service. To modify the printing properties, click on Printers and faxes in Windows, then right-click on the icon for your printer to select it as the default printer.
Have you checked that there is enough paper in the printer tray and that it is the correct paper? Whether your computer is connected by network or USB port, the printer driver must be installed on the computer from which printing is launched. Drivers with two-way communication capability can tell you the possible cause of the problem by displaying desktop notifications.
As a last resort, if your printer refuses to print or if your document seems stuck in the queue, the easiest way is to restart the software. An icon representing a computer with a frowny face.
An old and obsolete printer
It’s a classic situation: your printer has served you well, and you’ve become attached to it; it suits you perfectly, and all the settings have been configured according to your needs. However, the first hiccups appear as a scratching noise here and a classification problem there.
Poor quality prints
Dry, infrequently used ink can cause the print heads to clog and leave streaks (horizontal bands) on your printed documents. Refer to your printer’s manual first, as your printer may have a utility to clean and align the cartridges.
Other advice would be to avoid printing on photocopier paper (weight between 80 and 100 g/m 2), which is just as absorbent as blotting paper. They advise you to buy good quality paper, preferably from the same manufacturer as your printer, especially if you are printing photos.
Note that sheet weight has less of an impact on laser printers. If you repeatedly notice smudges on your printouts in the same places, there could be dirt or dust on the drum (aluminium cylinder). To remove the drum (OPC), refer to the user manual and clean it with isopropanol and dry, lint-free cloth.
