Picture this situation. You’re on a tight deadline and you must print a document. The printer stops working.
Don’t you hate when this happens? If you’re in a rush, you don’t want your printer to let you down.
To keep your working well at all times, you must give it regular maintenance. Printer maintenance is a habit you should start focusing on. Read this guide to learn some of the actions you must take to keep your printer in tip-top shape.
Keep Your Printer in the Right Location
The best thing you can do to keep your printer working well is to place it in the right location. How do you know what’s a good location for your printer?
Think of your printer as a precise machine. It can handle some deviations, but it isn’t a good idea to be constantly moving it around. If you move it around too much, you risk damaging it.
Don’t move the print head by hand. If you do this, you can damage it. If you must move your printer to another location, do it with care.
Make sure the printer head is in the home position. Do check to see if the ink cartridges are in place. Don’t hold it upside or stand it on its side as this can cause the ink to leak.
You should place your printer on a flat, stable surface. The surface should extend beyond its base in all directions. This will give the printer enough room to operate.
Place it at least four inches away from the wall. Don’t place it in an area where there’s a lot of heat or moisture. Too much heat or moisture can damage the printer.
After you find the perfect location, you must plug it in. It’s a good idea to place the printer near a wallet outlet where you can plug it.
Do you have a wireless printer? Having a proper wireless connection can save you a lot of trouble. Troubleshooting is an issue you can avoid by making sure you have a good connection.
Ensure Your Printer Is Clean
This might go without saying, but you must keep your printer clean. Dust is your printer’s enemy. It can cause your printer to malfunction.
You can’t let dust get into your printer. The same goes for small debris. What can you do to keep dust and debris of various kinds away from your printer?
There are two things you can do. The first is to regularly clean it. Be careful when you clean it so you don’t damage its parts.
It’s a good idea to develop cleaning procedures. Have the tools on hand to give your printer a good cleaning. These include rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab.
You should also have a vacuum cleaner and a clean cloth. Use the vacuum to remove the dust from around the drum and corona wire. Never use an air blower as it can push dust into the printer and cause damage.
Use the rubbing alcohol and cotton swab to clean the print head contacts. Wipe off the rest of the dust with the cloth. Make sure that you turn off the printer before you start cleaning it.
The second thing you can do to prevent dust buildup is to cover the printer when it isn’t in use. You can use a blanket to cover it. It’s a good idea to do this if you plan on being away from your office or desk for an extended period.
Have the Latest Printer Drivers and Firmware
Do you get alerts about making updates to your printer’s drivers or firmware? You might see these alerts as annoying because they pop up every time you turn on your computer. Don’t ignore these alerts.
As soon as you get one, make sure to click on it. There’s a reason why you must download them. Your printer relies on them to keep working.
Firmware and driver updates can fix loopholes. They can also improve the printer’s performance.
Turn the Printer off When Not in Use
Do you turn off your printer when you aren’t using it? Printers can remain on for an extended period. It’s better if you turn it off when not in use.
By turning it off, you can prolong the life of its components. This is excellent news for your printer and your wallet. It means fewer service calls and lower repair costs.
Fix Any Mechanical Errors
Do you face a lot of mechanical errors? You know, the common paper jams. You must know how to deal with paper jams.
Most people might see a paper jam and try to tear it out. This is the wrong way to do it. Instead of yanking the paper free from the printer, you should refer to the owner’s manual.
The owner’s manual will outline the steps you must take to fix this mechanical error. It’s better to use both hands to pull out the paper. Don’t leave behind torn bits of paper as these can damage the insides of the printer.
The owner’s manual will have printer tips you can use to prevent these errors. To prevent a paper jam, you should use the appropriate size of paper. Don’t use torn paper.
Prevent Ink Nozzles From Drying Up
You want to avoid having issues with your printer’s ink nozzles. Remember, dust is bad for your printer. Dust can get into your ink nozzles.
If this happens, the dust can clog them. If the dust clogs them, the ink might not pass through. If you don’t use the printer, the ink can dry up.
When you’re in a rush, the printer might let you down. To prevent this type of problem, you should run your printer at least once per week.
Keep Spare Printer Toner at Hand
If your ink runs out, you’re going to get mad. Why get mad if you have spare printer toner? Keep a few spare printer toners near you.
It’s no secret that printer ink is so expensive. It seems like it’s getting more expensive each day. Don’t wait until your ink runs out.
If you wait to buy new printer toner, your printer might try to get ink out of the empty cartridges. This can lead to damage as the printer sucks in air from the empty cartridges.
Save money by having spare toners. Want to buy affordable, high-quality toners? Check out PremiumToners for all your printer toner needs.
Buy a Printer Maintenance Kit
Did you know that printer maintenance kits exist? Yes, this is a real product. What is a printer maintenance kit you ask?
Think about it as a spa treatment for your printer. It can prolong the lifespan of your printer.
It’s worth the investment. You can use it to fix an issue. This way you can avoid having to take the financial leap of buying a new printer when it starts to show signs of wear.
If you have a laser printer, you should buy one. For this type of printer, you might need to change moving parts within the printer.
Most of the kits have a fuser. This is the part that bonds toner to the fibers of the paper. It’s essential to the printing process.
It’s common to find a transfer roller in the kit. This printer part transfers toner from the toner cartridge onto the paper. You can also expect to find various feed rollers, as well as various feed rollers in the kit.
Check with your printer’s manufacturer to find out if they sell a maintenance kit. Make sure to keep the kit handy so you can use it when there’s an issue with your printer.
Pick the Right Consumables
To keep your printer running well, you must pick the right consumables. You might be looking to save money by buying cheaper consumables like ink cartridges.
Buying substandard consumables isn’t a good idea. If you try to use them, you risk damaging the printer. Try to buy recommended brands and products.
Printer Maintenance Is Essential
If you want to prolong the life of your printer, you need to focus on printer maintenance. Servicing your printer is a must. You need to focus on using these printer tips.
There’s no need to rush to the store to buy a new printer if you experience a problem. Repairing your printer yourself is a great way to save money.
