March 21, 2016
A functioning, dependable printer is an irreplaceable office asset. When deadlines approach, you need to know printing problems won’t get in your way. While working in a busy office, diagnosing printer issues can end up on the back burner. After all, everyone is busy, and it can be difficult to know when small issues are indicative of a greater problem.
When the below issues repeatedly surface, it’s important to investigate whether your printer is ready for repairs or reaching retirement.
5 Printer Problems and What They Mean
- Toner Lines – If your office printer adds lines to finished prints, it may be acting up for a variety of reasons. It can be as simple as foreign substances collected on the scanner glass, to a drum malfunction or fuser issue. The solution here depends on finding the root
of the issue. Cleaning scanner glass takes moments and costs pennies, but the other issues will require printer maintenance from a trained technician.
- Wrinkling Pages – Moisture from humidity, worn out feed rollers, worn out paper trays and fuser assemblies all cause wrinkled pages. Paper trays are an easy fix, just purchase new ones and replace. If your problem is feed rollers or fuser assembly, you’ll need a printer repair technician.
- Collecting Dust – Cliché aside, dust collection clogs machines and leads to paper jams. The occasional professional cleaning should keep things running smoothly.
- Copying too Light or too Dark – Begin by resetting the density levels, and if this solves the issue, you’re in luck. If not, the printer’s drum may be reaching the end of its work life, meaning it’s time for a replacement.
- Seeing Spots – When random spots appear on final copies, your printer is notifying you of a drum defect. Replacing the drums should fix the issue.
Printer Repair or Replacement
When deciding whether to repair or replace your office printer, there are multiple factors to consider. First, investigate the age and capabilities of your current model. Printer technology constantly evolves, and different capabilities may be available now that were previously unavailable or outside your price range. If a new printer increases efficiency and productivity, it may be the most cost-effective solution.
Second, determine your printer’s Cost Per Page (CPP). Many manufacturers post the CPP for their devices, so your current model’s CPP may be a quick search away. Consider whether a new or used device will suit your business needs, and after purchase, use the above steps to make your printer last. Each organization’s needs vary depending on office size and print requirements. Begin by assessing your office’s print environment and determining your budget; if you need assistance, we're here to help.
