Desktop printers provide dependable service that becomes a typical part of your workday. Plan on using diagnostic methods in place of page output if your hardware suddenly starts to reject paper feed into its output mechanism. This will help you find the cause of your issues. The causes of these issues can range from hardware configuration to paper choice. To identify and address the cause of your printer’s loss of appetite, carefully examine your device and its media.
Paper Feed Mechanism Setup
Some printers incorporate feed guides, paper supports and other mechanisms designed to promote proper paper pickup. On printers with adjustable-size or manual-feed trays, sliding guides snug up beside the stack of sheets you insert. If you over- or under-tighten these guides, the paper feeds improperly or not at all. Paper supports on printers with vertical feed paths help them load sheets from an insert slot atop the device. You must extend these supports into their working position to permit the printer to pick up media correctly from the paper slot.
Inappropriate Media
It may not feed properly if the paper is too thick or if the media is too large for your printer to handle due to its dimensions or surface characteristics. Some inkjet printers modify their hardware or software to support premium photo paper, which is thicker than the standard sheets that these machines can handle. The incorrect settings could result in your paper not moving at all when you try to print. Regardless of the setting you pick, paper that exceeds the device’s handling specifications could not be used. The same is true if you attempt to print on a type of media that your printer is unable to handle, such as transparency film.
Dirty Rollers
Paper is drawn into and fed through printers using a set of rollers. These rollers’ performance is jeopardized if they pick up ink, dust, or other impurities from the environment where the device is used. Some desktop gadgets include rollers that you can clean on your own; in this case, your user guide should explain how to do so. Avoid using lubricants made of petroleum, solvents, stiff-bristled brushes, fluids, and other oils since these could harm the printer. Even if the product is made by the same firm that makes your printer, make sure it is compatible with your hardware before using any paper that comes with a cleaning sheet in the packaging.
Other Considerations
A solid, flat surface is necessary when setting up a printer to ensure proper operation. Your results can include feed problems if the device is mounted unevenly or unevenly, or if it is supported by a platform that causes it to vibrate or wobble. One-sided media accidentally loaded with the incorrect side facing the feed mechanism may also result in issues. Avoid using paper that is ripped, wet, or from a package that is being stored under a lot of weight. These circumstances might alter your media’s flexibility and other printing-related characteristics, making them unsuitable for output.
