As much as we rely on digital communication these days, there are still plenty of times when we need to print out documents, reports, photos, and other materials. When your printer is working smoothly, it can be a great convenience. But what happens if your printer starts acting up? Here are some of the most common printing issues you may encounter and how to fix them.
Poor print quality
If your prints are coming out blurry, faded, or streaky, it’s time to troubleshoot the problem. Start by checking the ink or toner cartridge. If it’s low or empty, replace it. If that doesn’t fix the issue, check the print settings to make sure the print quality is set to the highest available option. If your printer is Mopria certified, you can do this directly from Windows or using the Mopria Print Service app from your Android device or Amazon Fire tablet. You may also need to clean the printhead or replace it entirely.
Printer not working
If your printer isn’t printing at all, there are a few different things you can try. First, the proverbial “have you tried turning it off and on again?” Check the power source and make sure that the printer is connected to the computer or device properly. Try restarting both the printer and the computer. If that doesn’t work, you may need to reinstall the printer driver or check for any updates to the firmware.
Pro tip: If you’re using a Mopria certified printer, you can rule out driver or firmware updates, as these are installed for you automatically. Verify whether your printer is Mopria certified here.
Slow printing
When your printer seems to be taking longer than usual to print a page, there are a couple possible sources of the problem. This may be due to a high-quality print setting or a large file size. Try changing the print quality to a lower setting or compressing the file before printing. It’s easy to adjust print quality with the Mopria Print Service app, and there are many online tools for compressing a file size, including this handy PDF compressor from Mopria Alliance member Adobe. This should help speed things up considerably.
Ink and toner smudging
If your ink or toner is smudging on the page, try using a higher-quality paper. It’s also possible that the ink or toner cartridge is leaking or running low, in which case you’ll need to replace it.
Incorrect colors
If your prints are coming out in the wrong colors, it’s time to check the ink and toner cartridges. Make sure they’re not low or out of ink or toner. You should also check that the color settings are correct in the print settings.
Wireless printing issues
If you’re having trouble printing wirelessly, there are a few things to check. First, restart the printer, computer, and router. Make sure the printer is connected to the same network as the computer. If that doesn’t work, check for any updates to the printer driver or firmware.
While issues can arise that interrupt your print workflow, most can be resolved fairly simply! By following these tips, you can troubleshoot your printer and get back to printing high-quality documents and images in no time.
For more information about Mopria Alliance, visit our website.
