Tech-Ease: Hardware Questions and Answers

Quick answers to real classroom technology questions. An online service of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse.

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I can't print, what should I do?

As with most computer problems, you should begin with the easiest solutions before moving on to more advanced troubleshooting steps. First, make sure the printer is on and has paper in the tray. You may also want to check that it has ink if you are using an inkjet printer. Next, check to make sure the printer cable is properly connected to both the computer and the printer.

If you still can't print, check to make sure the printer is not set to offline mode. Go to Start, Printers and Faxes.

Find the printer you want to use and make sure it says Ready underneath it.

Printer, Ready

If it says Offline, right-click on it and select Use Printer Online.

If you have more than one printer installed (such as several network printers) make sure you have selected the right printer as your default printer (right-click on the printer you want to use and select Set as Default Printer).

You can test your printer configuration by printing a test page. Right-click your printer and select Properties. Then in the General tab click on the Print Test Page button.

Printer, Properties

If you are unable to print a test page after following the previous steps, you may want to restart your computer. Restarting fixes many hardware problems. After restarting, you should try to print a test page again to check your printer configuration. As a last resort, you may want to reinstall the printer driver. You may want to visit the website for your printer's manufacturer to download the latest software and drivers for your printer.

Additional Websites

An Educator's Guide to Computer Networks

Jan's Illustrated Computer Literacy 101

How Stuff Works: Computer Stuff

The Elder Geek on Windows

Paul Thurrott's Windows Supersite

Annoyances.org

Windows Update

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Tech-Ease for Windows is your source for just-in-time answers for classroom technology questions. A companion Tech-Ease for Mac site is also available. This collection is a part of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse and is funded in part by a grant from the Florida Department of Education. Copyright 2008 by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida.

			Quick answers to real classroom technology questions. An online service of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse.
ETC HOME	TECH-EASE HOME	HARDWARE FAQ	SEARCH
I can't print, what should I do? As with most computer problems, you should begin with the easiest solutions before moving on to more advanced troubleshooting steps. First, make sure the printer is on and has paper in the tray. You may also want to check that it has ink if you are using an inkjet printer. Next, check to make sure the printer cable is properly connected to both the computer and the printer. If you still can't print, check to make sure the printer is not set to offline mode. Go to Start, Printers and Faxes. Find the printer you want to use and make sure it says Ready underneath it. If it says Offline, right-click on it and select Use Printer Online. If you have more than one printer installed (such as several network printers) make sure you have selected the right printer as your default printer (right-click on the printer you want to use and select Set as Default Printer). You can test your printer configuration by printing a test page. Right-click your printer and select Properties. Then in the General tab click on the Print Test Page button. If you are unable to print a test page after following the previous steps, you may want to restart your computer. Restarting fixes many hardware problems. After restarting, you should try to print a test page again to check your printer configuration. As a last resort, you may want to reinstall the printer driver. You may want to visit the website for your printer's manufacturer to download the latest software and drivers for your printer.			Additional Websites An Educator's Guide to Computer Networks Jan's Illustrated Computer Literacy 101 How Stuff Works: Computer Stuff The Elder Geek on Windows Paul Thurrott's Windows Supersite Annoyances.org Windows Update
ETC HOME	TECH-EASE HOME	HARDWARE FAQ	SEARCH
Site Map \| Submit a Question \| About Tech-Ease \| Privacy Policy \| ETC Home Tech-Ease for Windows is your source for just-in-time answers for classroom technology questions. A companion Tech-Ease for Mac site is also available. This collection is a part of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse and is funded in part by a grant from the Florida Department of Education. Copyright 2008 by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida.