Printer and copier sales have skyrocketed over the last two years amidst the covid-induced work-from-home situation, as more people saw the necessity in stocking up on essentials. In fact, the global printer market’s total revenue grew to USD 42.35 billion in 2020 alone, and industry experts expect this figure to rise by 4.55% before 2026.
But as more people purchase printers and copiers for their home offices, it is only natural that a surge in technical challenges will ensue. Here are four common printer and copier issues and how to solve them.
1. Paper Jams
Paper jams are by far the most common printer issue. While the obvious culprit tends to be foreign objects lodged inside the printer, paper jams might occur due to other reasons, including wrong paper size, an overfilled paper tray and improper paper loading.
To fix this issue, manually remove all the jammed paper and re-insert appropriately sized paper correctly. If your problem results from dust buildup, consider vacuuming your copier and wiping the feed tires.
2. Spots On Printed Copy
Do you get random arrays of spots on an otherwise perfect printed copy? If the dots appear in the same place all the time, your copy mirror may contain debris or smudges. You can fix this easily by thoroughly cleaning your copier’s glass and mirrors.
If the spots appear randomly on printed documents, your printer’s drum might be defective. In this case, replacing the drums should do the trick.
3. Excessively Light Or Dark Copies
Excessively light or dark copies often indicate an imbalance in the copier’s density controls. In case someone inadvertently messed with the settings, adjusting your machine’s density levels should solve the issue.
However, it is also possible that your printer’s drum or toner is due for replacement. Consider purchasing your aftermarket replacements from authorized dealers only, and if necessary, get a professional to install the parts for you.
4. Printer Not Scanning Any More
An MFP (Multi-function Printer) no longer scanning documents typically points to corrupted scanner software. The first possible solution is reinstalling the printer’s software package. If that does not work, check the user manual or manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting tips, and apply the ones most relevant to your issue.
Conclusion
Like most machines, printers and copiers are bound to fail at some point. To avoid these common problems and more, get your devices professionally cleaned occasionally and adhere to the manufacturer’s suggested replacement timelines for parts and fixtures.
