Laser Printer Troubleshooting

Keep a printer in good working order by using a few laser printer troubleshooting tips. While an occasional jam or error message does happen, most problems are solved by following a series of diagnostic steps.

Keep it manual

The best place to start is the owner's manual, which usually has a troubleshooting guide and instructions for handling the most common printer problems. After consulting the guide, attempt to solve the most basic printer problems. If the printer does not turn on, check that the power cord is plugged into a working outlet. The next step is to make sure the on/off switch is in the on position. A surprising number of users fail to check these obvious spots first.

Check the details

If you still have a printing problem, make sure that the ink cartridge is full and that the computer has the correct printer drivers installed. The printer driver ensures that the computer can recognize the printer. Check the "Printers" menu on your computer to see if the printer is set as the default. There is usually a "queue" that displays pending print jobs. If there is an error, the queue indicates that the job is paused and lists the reason why the pause has occurred.

Fix the jams

The next issue is paper jams. The printer may have a display indicating which panel to open. If not, look for a panel that opens easily near the feeder tray or where the paper comes out after printing. It is usually possible to grasp the jammed paper and gently pull it out from one of those locations. Additionally, some printers have knobs that users can rotate to advance the paper. If it is impossible to see the jam, remove the toner cartridge. Make sure to check for foreign objects that may have fallen into the paper path and take any excess paper out of the feeder tray.

Call for help

When basic troubleshooting tips do not suffice, the customer service representatives at the printer manufacturer can talk you through the problem and suggest solutions. If you are uncomfortable fiddling with the parts of the printer yourself, call the manufacturer for help. Waiting on hold for fifteen minutes for good advice always beats trying to fix the problem yourself and possibly making matters worse.