Troubleshooting - Printer not working

Is it plugged-in?  Duh!

Is it on? Duh again, but are there error lights or for that matter any lights?

Is it connected?  Did the cable come loose between the printer and computer?   It does happen.  The printer test prints, but it won't go on line...  Well, is the cable from the printer to the computer 100% connected.  Push-in and wiggle the connectors.

Is it beeping at you?  If it beeps constantly, the poor thing is either hurt or trying to tell you something is wrong.  Most, printers will beep when out of paper or out of ink and those are the most common causes for a printer not working.

Does it test-print?  Most printers have a built-in diagnostics program which can be very useful for troubleshooting problems and test-printing without a computer.  They are usually initiated by pressing one of the buttons while turning on the printer.  Check your user manual.  If the printer test-prints OK, you have eliminated the printer itself as the problem.

Does it have ink or toner?  Is the Ink cartridge low?  An ink jet printer may have a black and a color cartridge.  Check both of them or at least set the printer to use a cartridge with ink in it.  You can usually extend the life of a laser cartridge long enough to order a new one by removing the cartridge and gently shaking it side-to-side to redistribute the tone. 

Is it clean?  Most ink jet printers have a simple user procedure for cleaning the print heads.  You may have to clean them periodically or after the printer has been idle for a few days or weeks.  If you see funny colors or print-outs are missing colors, a cartridge may be empty or a head dirty.  You may have to clean a head many times to get it working again.

Does it have paper?  Be sure the paper is installed correctly and there is enough of it.  Most printers have a paper-out detector. 

Is it jammed?  Paper jams are frequently the reason many printers stop communicating.  Address labels cause many paper jams and cannot always be seen.  Staples, paperclips, dog hair, and cookie crumbs are among the many things to look for as a jam.  On humid days, slightly damp paper can cause jams by sticking together causing more than one sheet to be fed at a time.  Try removing the paper from its tray, etc. and fanning it.  Make sure the edges or corners aren't curled and the tray is either not too empty or too full. 

Is it set-up properly?  Be sure Windows is set-up correctly with the correct printer driver and something else (another printer, FAX, etc.) is not assigned LPT1: Be sure the printer is set as the default Windows printer.  Many times I tried to print and had the fax printer set on.  Go to the printers folder right click on your printer and go to properties.  On the properties menu click on test print.  If it doesn't print try uninstalling and reinstalling the printer, get rid of duplicate printers. 

Does it have a stuck print queue?  Start>Settings>Printers>double click the printer> Printer>Purge Print Documents.  Some versions of windows make you go to the control panel to see printers.