Weather you own a $50 dot matrix printer or a $5000 color laser printer, you want to get the most of your investment. Although today's printers are much more durable than those decades ago, they still work better and last longer if they are properly maintained. Luckily most consumer-grade printers are easy to take care of. Here are some tips that will help you get years of service from your printer, no matter what kind of device it is.
Getting Basic Information
When maintaining your printer, the best place to start is the owner's manual. Check it for specific instructions on setting up, cleaning out paper jams, replacing components, and other maintenance-related tasks. You may be able to find these instructions on the manufacturer's web site.
Always unplug your printer and let it cool down completely before doing any maintenance or cleaning. All printers - especially units that are used a lot - get hot inside, possibly hot enough to burn you. To avoid shock, disconnect the printer's cables from your computer or network. Also be sure to remove the paper from the printer before working on it.
Positioning A Printer
Make sure your printer has room to breathe. This means setting up so there is space around it, to allow air to flow through the printer. This keeps down dust and avoids over-heating. Avoid crowding objects around the printer, or you may block air flow. Never stack anything on the top of the printer; the weight can cause malfunctions.
Cleaning A Printer
Printers usually don't require heavy cleaning, but paper dust and airborne particles can collect inside a printer, adding to heat build-up and leading to mechanical problems. You can clean the outside surfaces of most printers with a dry or damp cloth, but don't use solvents or spray cleaners, which may be harmful to some printer parts.
To clean inside the printer open it up and remove all paper. Remove the toner cartridge, ink cartridges, or ribbon as your owner's manual directs. Use a line-free cloth or swabs to gently remove built-up dust and dirt. Do not use a wet cloth, and never spray any kind of liquid cleaner into your printer unless the manufacturer recommends doing so.
If the printer has a great deal of dust inside it, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a narrow nozzle to pull out the dust. If dust appears to be stuck or is embedded in tiny spaces, use a can of compressed air to blast it loose, then vacuum it out.
Dealing with Paper Jams
For years, paper jams have been the scourge of computer users. They strike at the worst times, and can take long time to clear out. The best way to solve this problem is to prevent it:
* Make sure your paper is compatible with your printer. Some inkjet printers, for example do not work well with thick, glossy paper. Check you're manual to see what weight and sizes of paper will work best with your printer
* Set the printer on an even, level surface. Tilting can encourage paper jams.
* Don't overfill the paper tray. Paper must be flat and able to slide freely through the mechanism. If the tray is crammed with paper, the sheets may be buckled or stuffed in too tightly to move.
If you experience paper jam, see you owner's manual for instructions on clearing it. If paper jams are a common problem, contact the manufacturer for help.
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