How to Reset A Printer – A Quick Guide

If you are having trouble with your printer, the first thing you should do is to reset it. This is usually a quick fix that resolves the issue. Here’s how to do so:

If your printer starts working after this step, congratulations! You’re all set. If not, try these next steps:

Read here: Steps To Connect a Printer to WiFi

If nothing else works, you may need to buy a new good-quality printer. In cases like this, ask for help online through a forum or troubleshoot with an expert at stores/shops that sell printers.

Many problems with printers are due to loose or missing electrical connections. A common reason for this is the printer’s wire harness has become loose and flimsy, or the original connection was damaged at some point in time. Check all of the connections on your printer and make sure they’re properly tightened.

If you are unable to print any documents, you can try resetting your printer. This will restore your printer settings and address registry errors if present that cause feed issues etc. Before performing this action, verify that your printer is turned on and unplugged from power source. Also, check with the manufacturer about replacing or updating drivers to ensure proper functionality after installing new software or firmware. If your printer is connected to Wi-Fi, forget your network connection and reestablish a new connection. Once resetting has been performed, restart your computer or device. After this, try to print again. If this does not resolve the issue, purchase new ink or toner for your printer and re-install them.

If you can’t print wirelessly but the computer will detect the printer when it’s plugged in with a cable, try resetting the printer (as above). If the problem persists, purchase new ink/toner and install them in the appropriate order. Note that there are two different memory chips in black and color printers; be sure to install them in the correct color slot(s). If this doesn’t resolve the issue, your printer may be broken. You should contact the printer manufacturer for warranty service.

If ink is leaking from either side of the cartridge or if you have a missing cartridge, it’s possible that the cartridge was damaged during shipping. In this case, you can try resetting your printer (as above) and replacing both cartridges with brand new ones. If this doesn’t work, check with your printer’s manufacturer for support.

Also read: How Does a Laser Printer Work: Ultimate Guide

Unfortunately, there are many reasons why a paper jam occurs in a printer including poor maintenance like using cheap paper which is too thick or not enough toner being used in each print job.

If your printer is in warranty, contact the manufacturer or support team for assistance. If it is not, you have to attempt to repair it yourself. Be sure to get permission before disassembling your printer as broken parts of a printer can be dangerous in untrained hands. To resolve a paper jam issue, check out the steps below:

Turn off the power switch and unplug your printer from its power source. Make sure that the power light on the front is off before proceeding. Carefully remove all loose paper from inside and outside of your printer using both hands (one set around the outside edge of the paper and one around the inner parts where paper might have lodged). Use your hands to remove any other pieces of paper that are stuck in the printer. Put on a pair of rubber gloves, open the cover to your printer, and place these into every nook and cranny to ensure you get all of the loose paper.

If prompted for a location of where the problem is occurring (paper jam), simply look where you are instructed. This will help reduce the risk of cutting yourself while troubleshooting your device. If there is a piece of paper lodged somewhere that cannot be removed by hand, try using tweezers or another tool designed for this purpose. Do not use any sharp or pointed objects as doing so can do more harm than good in most cases. Replace all of the paper in the printer.

Make sure to inspect the paper path through your printer and replace any piece of paper that is stuck inside of it. Use your hands to push all of the pieces back into place if necessary. Remove any remaining loose paper from outside your printer by hand. Inspect the rollers on both sides of the printer and ensure that they are clean and free of dirt and debris.

Relevant reading: How Does a 3d Printer Work: A 3D Printing Guide

If this does not solve the issue, it is most likely caused by a problem with your print head or toner cartridge (if one is installed). For information regarding this, please refer to its manufacturer’s website for instruction on how to replace these parts. For instance, HP will provide you with instructions on how to replace your print head. To ensure that the ink cartridge is not faulty and the problem is not with it, consider purchasing a new one and installing it (if it is a new printer purchase).

If you have another computer, check with its manufacturer for assistance as well. If this does not resolve the issue, consult a printer professional.

If you’re still unable to resolve the issue when you’ve exhausted all of your options above, it’s time to bring in a professional. You may want to take advantage of our printer support services at Tech Support Guy prior to calling for further assistance.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the space below.

Related article: Know How to Share a Printer on a Network

Reset Printers – (Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 & In Windows XP and earlier:

It isn’t uncommon to forget the username and password of your printer (most printers come with built-in logins). If you change your printer’s settings, or if you’re troubleshooting a connection issue, you may need to reset your printer.

This process is quick and easy so long as you have the following information:

The username of your printer: The exact model number of your printer. The IP address for the network assigned to this device: 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0/24, etc.. The make and model of the operating system installed on this machine (Windows 7 Home Premium). Your printer’s TCP/IP information can usually be found in the network settings of the operating system you’ve installed.

Verify with “ipconfig” (windows) or “ifconfig” (UNIX and Linux) that you’re connecting to the correct IP address, and that it is assigned to your printer.

Assuming that you’re using a Windows-based operating system, use the following steps:

From Control Panel:

Determine Your Printer’s Model Number by Googling Your Device or by Finding it With Other Software or Hardware Diagnostic Tools. For example, with HP printers, go to the control panel and click on “Printers.” Your model number will be visible in the upper right-hand corner.

Note that these steps are specifically for HP Printer’s. The exact process of resetting your printer may vary by manufacturer.

In Windows 7:

In Windows 8:

Prepare your computer and printer (if necessary) for a new installation. If you have access to physical media such as CD or DVD, insert them now. Log into your computer using an account that has administrator rights (Windows 7 and earlier users should create an account with these rights before beginning this process). Open Command Prompt by going to Start > Accessories > Command Prompt .

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At the prompt, type the following command and press Enter:

(where x is your printer model number) For example, to reset my HP Officejet Pro 6970 All-in-One Printer I would type:
smbd-configdiag.exe -uadmin x _________ where:

Note that the “-uadministrator” option specifies that you are modifying a shared printer, which allows multiple users to access this device. If you’re unsure about whether or not a printer is shared, refer to “Resetting a Printer” in Microsoft Windows Help and Support (go to Help menu > Troubleshooting).

In Windows XP and earlier:

Note that the “-uadministrator” option specifies that you are modifying a shared printer, which allows multiple users to access this device. If you’re unsure about whether or not a printer is shared, refer to “Resetting a Printer” in Microsoft Windows Help and Support (go to Help menu > Troubleshooting). In UNIX/Linux/BSD:

Notes:

Cancel any pending print jobs. For this step, clean your paper tray (and empty it if necessary) before restarting. Use the web interface “Printers & Faxes” utility (if available) to disconnect any network connections you may have made. Windows may have installed the printer for you. If not, you can do this using the “Printers” window in Control Panel.

Free Mac OS X 10.4 and later printer drivers for HP printers:

Related article: Top Printers For Office Use

Reset Your Printer Now

At this point, the resetting is complete. Log in to your new device with “admin” as both the username and password, and refer back to the article about how to properly configure your printer before using it. Wait while Windows (or Mac OS) resets your printer’s settings and connects it to your computer.

Once you’re logged in, there are a few things you can do immediately to get your printer working properly with Windows or Mac OS X:

If you haven’t already, download the latest driver software for your operating system from the manufacturer’s website.

Ensure that your network is configured correctly for your printer.

Use the web interface option to “add a new printer,” and when you’re prompted for the name, enter “HP Deskjet 6970 Series” in place of “HP”. If you have multiple HP printers with different model numbers installed on your machine, use the same model number as above.

Although many printers have been discontinued, if your printer is still being sold by HP and it uses an older protocol such as TCP/IP, it may still be available.

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