How to Fix Common Printer Problems

On this page (11 sections)

1. What should you check first when a printer stops working?
2. Why is a printer connected but not printing?
3. How do you clear a paper jam safely?
4. Why are pages blank, faded, or streaked?
5. Why is a printer printing slowly?
6. How do you fix ink or toner that smears or won’t dry?
7. How should you choose a printer to avoid recurring problems?
8. What setup mistakes cause common problems with printers?
9. When should you stop troubleshooting and get help?
10. More guides on this topic
11. Which fix or printer should you choose for common printer problems?

Common problems with printers often start with power, connection, paper handling, or a low supply. Check the printer’s screen or status light first, then match the symptom to the fix below.

A printer that suits your workload can also prevent recurring problems. Choose based on how much you print, whether you need color, scanning or copying, what paper you use, and how you plan to connect.

What should you check first when a printer stops working?

Check the printer’s power, status, connection, and supplies before changing settings. If it shows an error, follow the instructions in the printer’s manual for that message.

1. Make sure the power cable is secure and the printer is on.
2. Check the screen or status light for an error or paused state.
3. Confirm the printer has paper and its cartridge or toner is seated.
4. Check that your computer or phone selected the correct printer.
5. Restart the printer and device if they still don’t communicate.

For a wireless printer, confirm it and the device you’re printing from use the intended network. If you moved the printer or changed your router, reconnect it using the manufacturer’s setup instructions.

Don’t open panels or reach into moving parts while the printer is running. Turn it off before clearing a jam or inspecting an area the manual says is user-accessible.

Why is a printer connected but not printing?

A printer can appear connected while a paused job, wrong printer selection, or stalled queue prevents output. Check the printer’s status and your device’s print queue.

Cancel jobs that are stuck or marked as paused, then send a single test document. If the printer is on a network, check that your phone or computer can still reach that network.

Restart both devices if the queue is empty but the printer remains unavailable. A focused model-specific issue may need a different fix, such as the steps in our Brother MFC-L3770CDW poor print quality guide.

Would a compact laser all-in-one suit a small team with printer problems?

The HP LaserJet MFP M140w combines printing, scanning, and copying in a compact machine for small teams. It prints up to 21 black-and-white pages per minute and supports wireless printing from mobile devices, PCs, and tablets.

Choose it if you mainly print forms and documents and want scanning and copying in the same machine. Skip it if you need automatic two-sided printing, which this model doesn’t offer.

How do you clear a paper jam safely?

Turn the printer off and follow the manual’s jam-removal path. Pull paper slowly in the direction it normally feeds, and stop if it tears or resists.

Check the accessible paper path for small scraps after removing the sheet. Don’t use scissors, knives, or other sharp tools inside the printer, and don’t force a roller or panel.

Before printing again, check that the paper is dry, flat, and the right size for the tray. Load it below the fill line, align the guides to the edges, and avoid mixing different paper types in one stack.

If the same location jams repeatedly, the paper may be damaged or a roller may need attention. Consult the manual or contact the manufacturer instead of repeatedly pulling at a stuck sheet.

Why are pages blank, faded, or streaked?

Match the print defect to the supply and printer type. Blank pages, pale text, lines, and repeated spots can each point to a different cause.

For an inkjet, check the ink level and cartridge seating. If the printer has a nozzle-check or head-cleaning option, follow its instructions; repeated cleaning can use ink, so check the result before running it again.

For a laser printer, check toner status and cartridge seating. Pale pages may call for a density adjustment or a replacement cartridge, while repeated marks may need a careful inspection of the cartridge and paper path.

Print a test page to see whether the problem affects every job or only one document. If the test page looks clean, check the document’s formatting, selected paper size, and print-quality settings.

For more detailed fixes, see our laser printer print quality troubleshooting guide. If text or images are shifted, use the steps in our Brother laser printer alignment guide.

What paper helps avoid common problems with inkjet printers?

Tatu-Derm Inkjet Stencils Tracing Paper is made for printing artwork and transferring it as a tattoo stencil. It comes in 500-sheet reams, with 8.5 x 11 in and 8.5 x 14 in options.

Choose the paper size that matches your printer settings and intended stencil area. This specialty paper is for stencil work, so use regular paper for ordinary household printing.

Why is a printer printing slowly?

Check the document, print mode, and connection before assuming the printer has failed. Large images, high-quality settings, and a weak wireless connection can add time.

Try a short text document with standard quality settings. If that prints at a normal pace, adjust the original job’s quality or image size before sending it again.

For Wi-Fi, improve the signal by moving the printer or router if practical. If the printer supports a wired connection, try it for a time-sensitive job.

A busy office may benefit from a laser all-in-one built for faster printing and copying. For a speed comparison, see inkjet vs laser printer speed.

The Brother MFC-L5915DW prints and copies at up to 50 pages per minute and includes scanning and copying.

Choose it when speed, scanning, and copying matter for a shared office. Skip it for occasional home printing if its larger office-focused setup and capacity would go unused.

How do you fix ink or toner that smears or won’t dry?

Check the paper type and print settings when ink smears or appears wet. Make sure the selected media setting matches the paper, and let the page rest on a clean, flat surface.

Glossy or specialty media may need a compatible printer setting and more drying time than plain paper. Handle fresh pages by their edges, and check the paper manufacturer’s instructions for the correct side to print on.

For more causes and fixes, read our guide to printer ink that is not drying. If a laser print looks too light, see how to fix a laser printer that is not dark enough.

How should you choose a printer to avoid recurring problems?

Choose a printer for your routine jobs, paper, and connection needs. A good fit reduces the chance that you’ll run into limits such as missing duplex printing, too little speed, or no scanning function.

For a small team printing black-and-white forms, the HP LaserJet MFP M140w provides wireless printing, scanning, and copying in a compact design. It suits light team use, but skip it if your work depends on automatic two-sided printing.

For a shared office with frequent printing and scanning, the Brother MFC-L5915DW offers faster print and copy speeds, a 70-page automatic document feeder, and single-pass two-sided scanning. It’s a better match for busy workflows than occasional personal printing.

Think about color before choosing a monochrome laser printer. If you regularly print photos or color charts, compare a color model or an inkjet.

If most jobs are text, monochrome may suit your needs. Our guide to whether a laser printer can print in color explains the difference.

What setup mistakes cause common problems with printers?

Install the printer using the correct connection and paper settings before sending a large job. A little care at setup can prevent avoidable queue, paper size, and quality issues.

Place the printer where you can reach its paper tray and access panels. Connect it using the manufacturer’s instructions, then add it to the computer or phone you plan to print from and confirm the selected printer name.

Load the paper size and type you’ll use most, with the guides snug against the stack. On a wireless model, confirm the printer and device are on the intended network before troubleshooting a connection failure.

Avoid sending several large jobs while you’re still checking setup. Print one page first, confirm the result, and then send the rest.

When should you stop troubleshooting and get help?

Contact the manufacturer or a printer technician if a fault persists after basic checks or the printer shows a hardware error. Repeated jams, grinding noises, a burning smell, or an error that returns after restarting are reasons to stop and consult the manual.

Avoid taking the printer apart unless the manufacturer provides a repair procedure for that part. If repair is recommended, compare the estimate and downtime with a replacement that fits your paper sizes, connection needs, and print volume.

More guides on this topic

• Why Is Your Laser Printer Leaving Spots on Paper?

Which fix or printer should you choose for common printer problems?

For common problems with printers, start with power and status, then troubleshoot the symptom: clear the queue for a stalled job, follow the manual for a jam, and check supplies and settings for poor output. Use a test page to tell whether the issue comes from the printer or one document.

Choose the HP for compact wireless printing, scanning, and copying for a small team. Choose the Brother for a shared office with faster, higher-volume work.

For a Brother laser alignment fault, follow the alignment guide, and use the laser print quality guide for spots, fading, or other output defects. Recurring hardware errors call for manufacturer support.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my printer connected but not printing?

A connected printer may still be paused, offline, out of paper, or waiting behind a stuck job. Check its screen for an error, confirm the selected printer in your computer or phone, and clear the print queue if needed.

Restart the printer and device if the job remains stuck.

What should I do if my printer keeps jamming?

Turn the printer off and remove paper gently along the path shown in its manual. Check for torn scraps, use paper that is dry and not curled, and load it below the tray’s fill line with the guides snug against the edges.

Repeated jams may need service.

Why does my printer print blank pages?

Blank pages can result from an empty or poorly seated cartridge, a clogged ink nozzle, or a document with blank pages. Check the cartridge status and seating, then print a test page using the printer’s controls.

For an inkjet, use the maker’s cleaning steps if the test page is faint or blank.

When should I replace a printer instead of repairing it?

Consider replacement when the printer has recurring faults after basic checks, needs a part that costs close to a suitable replacement, or no longer supports your devices and workload. Compare the repair estimate, supplies, print volume, and features you actually use before deciding.