CompTIA A+ 220-1001 Printer Troubleshooting
Multiple Failed Jobs In Log
Are there specific errors on these jobs that can direct to the troubleshooting steps (such as toner, paper, access issues)? This may be due to spooler issues. Restart the spooler service. Try disabling spooler and print directly to the printer, with no queueing.
Unable to Install Printer
Are you using the correct drivers for your operating system? Consult with the printer's documentation or support website to check for current, compatible drivers.
Printer Will Not Print
Check printer power, status messages, connectivity. If everything seems right, but it wouldn't print, check the spooler service on the printing computer. Does restarting the spooler service help? Disable the spooler to print directly to printer.
Faded Prints
Check toner or ink levels. Try replacing the cartridges with new ones, of known good quality. Check printing settings. Are there any ink saving settings enabled that may reduce the amount of ink or toner used?
Color Prints In Wrong Color
Color printers use base colors to create shades of all other colors. Wrong color is usually due to one of the ink or toner cartridges being empty or malfunctioning. Print a test page to rule out software configuration issue. Replace the cartridges with known good ones.
Access Denied
Does the computer user have the system permissions to print? Try printing as a different user, and modify the user permissions to allow printing.
Error Codes
Error codes would direct you to the issue, usually with paper, ink or toner, or memory. Troubleshoot these errors accordingly.
No connectivity?
For a printer that is directly connected to the computer you're using to print: is it turned on? Is it connected correctly with a good cable? Have the drivers been installed? For a printer on a network: follow network troubleshooting steps. Is the printer connected to the network, can it be reached by other computers on the same network? Have the drivers been installed on the computer?
No Image on Printer Display
Is the printed connected to a good power source and turned on? Try reconnecting the power. If there's still no display on the printer's LCD screen, the screen or the printer may be malfunctioning.
Backed-up Printer Queue
Is the printer jammed or doesn't have paper or ink to print? This may be a spooler issue. Does restarting the printer or the printing computer clear the queue?
Low Memory Errors
Printer has internal memory to store and manage the print jobs. Is the printing document very large, has a lot of pages, or high-resolution graphics? Try reducing the source file. Some printers may allow increasing memory by adding the hardware RAM internally.
Vertical Lines on Paper
Similar to streaks troubleshooting, these may be caused by toner or ink residue. Ensure that the internals are clean and the cartridge is not leaking.
Creased Paper/Paper Not Feeding/Paper Jam
There are many reasons to frequent or sporadic paper jams. The reasons can be categorized as related to the paper or to the printer hardware. Ensure that the paper size and weight used are as recommended by the printer's manufacturer. Try using a new, dry pack of good quality paper. Don't load too much paper at once. Bend the stack of paper to separate sheets before loading. If the problem is not with the paper, then the printer hardware needs to be checked. Check to see if the printer has been maintained per the manufacturer's recommendations. Some printers have a page counter and recommendations on replacing specific internal parts to prevent paper jams. If the jams are very frequent, check for broken parts in the feeding path.
Printing Blank Pages
This is usually an ink or toner quantity or quality issue. Rule out a software configuration issue by printing a test page. Check if the cartridges are not empty and not dried out due to lack of use. Replace with new, good cartridges.
Ghost Images
This may happen only on laser printers due to self-cleaning problem. Try replacing the drum.
Garbled Characters on Paper
This may mean a software or connection issue. Are correct drivers installed? Is the printer connected firmly with a good cable? Is there enough RAM free on the printer?
Toner not fused to the paper
This may only happen on laser printers due to a fuser problem. Try replacing the fusing roller or the fuser lamp.
Streaks
Usually caused by ink residue. Follow the printer's cleaning procedure. This may include physical cleaning of internal parts of a printer, or a cleaning process that can be triggered by the printer's software. Try printing a test page—are there streaks, too? Sometimes streaks may be caused by the scanning part of a copier, not being a printing problem.
