5 Most Common Printer Issues and How to Fix Them

Posted on April 7, 2020 Updated on March 23, 2024

“Guest Posts: Contributed Content for the Printosynthesis Group.”

 https://pixabay.com/vectors/print-printer-printing-device-159336/

Printing devices do not always perform as expected. Yes, it’s frustrating but you don’t always have to visit a local customer service center or spend an hour explaining the problem to a customer service representative over a phone call. You can troubleshoot and fix some of the most common printer issues on your own. 

Here in this post, we will discuss the five most common printer common issues:

Printer Issue #1: One Print Image Superseding Over Another

Let’s say you print ‘Page 1’ and when you print ‘Page 2,’ you notice a light image of ‘Page 1’ visible in the printout of ‘Page 2.’

In the printing industry, this problem is referred to as ‘ghosting.’

The ‘ghosted text’ or image (from Page 1) is generally lighter in comparison to the fresh text or image (from Page 2) and can make your print look messy or unprofessional.

Generally, ‘ghosting’ is indicative of a faulty imaging drum unit (2-3cm separation between ghosted images) or fuser unit (4-5cm separation between ghosted images) in a laser printer. However, incorrect paper type (too thick or glossy) and humidity (clumped toner powder) can also cause this problem.

You may need to replace the faulty component, use the right paper type or place your printer in a dry area to fix the problem of ghosting.

Printer Issue #2: Low Print Quality

First things first, use the recommended paper type for your inkjet printer model. You cannot, for instance, expect good quality prints with photocopier paper as it absorbs too much ink.

In the case of laser printers, the print quality is less dependent on paper-type but if you notice smudges/spots in the same area each time you print something, chances are there’s some dirt/debris on the drum unit. Carefully wipe off the dirt with the help of lint-free cloth to fix the problem.

In the case of inkjet printers, blocked ink nozzles on the printhead can result in horizontal streaks on prints. You can use the printer’s ‘cleaning cycle’ feature or manually clean the printhead.

If you are using compatible printer cartridges to keep printing costs under control, make sure you are sourcing high-quality inkjet and toner cartridges that are manufactured in an ISO-certified facility and backed by a guarantee. 

Ultra-cheap printer cartridges sold by anonymous sellers online cannot be expected to deliver satisfactory print quality.

Printer Issue #3: Wireless Printing Speed is too Low

If your printer is taking too long to execute print commands over a wireless connection, chances are that the rate of data transfer over your wireless connection is slow.

To confirm whether a slow wireless connection is a culprit, you can compare print speed over an Ethernet/USB connection Vs wireless connection.

The best way to speed up wireless or mobile printing is to move the router closer to the printer. You may also consider installing a repeater to boost the signal.

Make sure your router is not outdated; ideally, it should support 802.11n connectivity.

In some cases, you may also need to update the printer software to fix the problem.

Printer Issue #4: Paper Jams or Multiple Sheets Are Drawn

It is one of the most common printer problems. You may either experience frequent print jams or your printer may draw multiple sheets at once.

Here’s what you can do to avoid such issues:

• Make sure paper reams are aligned properly.
• Avoid loading up the input paper tray with too many sheets.
• Fan the stack of paper to get rid of dust and static charge.
• To prevent moisture buildup in paper reams, store them in a dry environment.
• Use the recommended paper type (if the paper is too thin, for instance, your printer may draw too many sheets at once).
• If you need to use thicker paper for a print job, manually feed each sheet into the printer to avoid paper jams.

You may also need to check if there is any jammed material, debris or foreign object lose inside the device. If there is a jammed paper inside the printer, gently pull it out with the help of tweezers to avoid tearing it. Smaller pieces of torn paper can be hard to pull out later on and result in frequent paper jams. When a jammed paper is stuck between the rollers, gently release the pressure before you pull it out.

Printer Issue #5: Printer Generates Low or Empty Ink/Toner Error When You Replace a Used Cartridge with a New One

Keep in mind that warnings/alerts generated by printer software aren’t always reliable.

Even when you have just replaced a used/empty ink cartridge or toner with a brand new printer cartridge, the printer may still insist on displaying low or empty ink/toner error.

Unless your printer cartridge is damaged, a ‘hard reset’ can help you get rid of such error messages or alerts that won’t let you print anything.

You will need to follow the specific instructions for your printer model to perform a ‘hard reset.’ Refer to the owner’s manual or watch an online video tutorial (specific to your printer model).

 

Author Bio

George is the PR Media Manager at Inkjetsclub, a nationwide leading ink and toner retailer. One of his passions is educating and helping people through all the issues related to Printers, Ink Cartridges and Toners.