Diagnosing Printer Problems: Why Isn’t My Printer Printing?
You have no idea why your printer unexpectedly stops working. What do you do? Though you might be tempted to replace it (or hurl it out a window), the response might be far simpler than you would think before you do any of those things.
If you know what you are doing, or at least are aware of, your printer not printing could be the result of various factors like an unplugged power source, dry ink, or problems with the paper tray. These can be readily corrected.
Hence, if you find yourself wondering, “Why is my printer not printing anything?” here are the most often occurring issues and fixes!
1-Interrupted Data Connection or Power
Look first at the power connection of your printer. You would be shocked to find how often people panic just to find they are not on or connected in.
You should also definitely verify whether or not you have a data connection—another seeming obvious item. To run correctly and print documents, a printer draws data from your computer. Moreover, as more and more printers depend on a consistent Wi-Fi connection, your internet can be the cause of printer issues.
The solution is
Should your printer be malfunctioning and you believe a connection problem exists:
1-Make sure your printer is plugged in; if it isn’t, plug it in now.
2-Verify the stability and connection of your wireless network.
3-Try a wire printer connection with a USB cable for wireless printers.
4-Review your printer driver and/or software.
5-Should problems still exist, reset your printer.
2-A paper tray that is jammed
In asking “Why isn’t my printer printing?” It may also be due to a low running paper stack. Even if the tray is completely loaded, a misaligned paper stack from the last print job could be the problem and have resulted in a paper jam within the printer.
The solution is
Before printing, always check the paper tray; restocking if necessary. Before putting the stack on the tray, straighten it so the paper feeder picks the pages correctly.
Check also whether the machine is stuck with paper. With your hands, carefully pull the sheet till it comes entirely free. Press the printer icon button on the machine; if it dispenses the test sheet correctly, you have cleared the paper jam.
3-Low Toner and ink cartridges
Another reason your printer could not print is low ink or toner levels. Another reason you might have a printer not working is perhaps your ink/toner density setting being set to the minimum.
The solution is
See ink and toner status by choosing the properties/cartridge status of your printer on the control panel. From here, you will be able to determine whether it is time for a refill and precisely how much ink or toner is still in the cartridge.
If you use a laser printer, consider moving the toner cartridge to distribute the powder, therefore producing prints of greater quality. DO NOT do this, though, with an ink cartridge since you could find ink all around.
The printer settings should make changing the density easy.
4-Move Or Fuser Roler Problems
To print images and text on paper, laser printers run transfer and fuser rollers. Whereas the latter warms the toner so it sticks onto the page, the former attracts and moves toner powder from the cartridge using an electrical charge.
Therefore, should your printer not be working, it could be due to:
Your transfer rolling is off-target.
. Something on the transfer roller is restricting its charge producing capacity.
. The toner has seized on the upper roller of the fuser.
. Should you be experiencing fuser roller problems, the last thing you tried to print would show up on your new paper as a ghostly image—spooky indeed.
The solution is
Should your printer not print, we advise running a printer cleaning to clear the drum, transfer, and fuser rollers of extra toner powder. You could, however, have to have a printer expert see whether the fuser or transfer rollers need replacements.
5-Blocked inkjet Print heads
Blocked print heads could be one of the reasons your inkjet printer isn’t printing. These systems that apply ink droplets onto your printed pages could clogged with time.
The solution is
The best approach to prevent this problem is to make sure your printer gets routine cleaning.
6-Bubbles in your inkwell
Another likely cause of a printer failing is air bubbles caught in the inkwell. Missing regions on your printed page follow from the air bubbles pushed out of the ink cartridge rather than the required ink droplets when this occurs.
The solution is
Here likewise the fix is cleaning your printer. Every inkjet wired and wireless printer has a cleaning mechanism available from its control panel.
7-Poor Humidity Rule
Ink, toner cartridges, and paper have ideal functioning humidity ratings, therefore too much humidity in your house or business can cause issues. A too low humidity level in your area may result in web breaks, paper curling, and printer downtime.
The solution is
Try either lowering or raising the humidity level in your house or business. Install a dehumidifier to lower wet air if moisture is low; else, add a humidifier to restore humidity. Keep the humidity in the room in balance and see whether it falls into the ideal range.
