7 Tips for Keeping Your Printer in Top Condition

While many of us take our printers for granted, using them when the need arises, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure that your printer stays in top condition and will work when you need it to. It's important to remember that even the most reliable printer needs regular maintenance, so be sure to follow these tips regularly. If you want Los Angeles printers at a reasonable price, Fidelity Copier Solutions provide that’s services and how to clean and maintain your printer as well as how to troubleshoot common problems with these machines.

1) Clean the Print Heads

You'll want to remove any residual ink from your print heads. A damp paper towel can usually do a good job, but if it doesn't fully clean your head, try using an alcohol-based product instead. If you use an electronic cleaning solution, be sure to let your print heads dry before attempting to use them again, or else you could end up with bad prints and wasted ink. Cleaning regularly can also improve performance because there will be less buildup of dried ink and dust on your head nozzles.

2) Change Your Ink Cartridges at the Right Time

Printing too much before changing your ink cartridge can damage your printer. To ensure that you are getting consistent print quality, change your cartridges based on how many pages you've printed. Check your printer manual or count how many pages you've printed by going to Printing Preferences and then adding it all up. Once you reach a certain number of prints, replace all ink cartridges (black, color, and photo) with new ones so that your prints come out clear and crisp. You might find that replacing only one type of cartridge at a time is better because it allows you to get more prints out of each set of ink.

3) Keep Lint and Dust Away

When dust and lint get into a printer, they can cause a multitude of problems. When your printer doesn't run as well, it can be more difficult to ensure high-quality prints. One way to prevent dust from settling inside is to unplug your printer when you aren't using it. Dust also collects on many common printer parts, so remember to give your unit a quick wipe down every now and then with a dry cloth. (Make sure not to use water!) Cleaning your cartridge occasionally will also help keep dust and lint out of places where it can do harm; with so many small moving parts that are hard to clean, doing so regularly will save you time and money in the long run!

4) Keep Spare Parts Handy

Printing is essential to any office, so keeping a spare toner cartridge on hand is a smart idea. If you can't afford extra ink and toner, you can try printing fewer pages at once, printing draft-quality documents, or making copies of originals. However, doing any of these things may reduce your printer's lifespan and print quality. Instead, consider buying an additional ink or toner cartridge when you buy your printer. (Don't worry about cartridges being out of date—out-of-date cartridges usually just don't work as well.) You might save money by purchasing two new ink/toner cartridges from a third party than buying one new and one used cartridge from an electronics store.

5) Deep Clean on Schedule

Deep cleaning your printer may sound daunting, but it really isn't as complicated as you might think. Although manufacturers typically recommend deep cleaning your printer on a regular basis, doing so every three months or so will be sufficient to keep your printer in great condition. To clean, first, remove all of the pieces that you can. If you can reach inside without taking anything apart, then do so. You don't need to take apart internal components that are not visible from the outside unless they have collected dust (the belt and rollers of an inkjet head are an example). If you don't know how to do so, skip them.

6) Clean Every Corner

It's a good idea to clean around and under your printer regularly, as dust can build up quickly and clog sensitive printer parts. Keep your printer out of direct sunlight, which can overheat components inside. To clean it, turn off your printer and unplug it from any power sources. Use compressed air or a lint-free cloth to wipe away dust.

7) Look After the Electrical Side

First, disconnect your printer from any power source. Now, look at the electrical side of things. Check if there are any loose wires or anything that could potentially cause a fire—an office fire is nobody's idea of fun. Remove these wires, and you should be good to go!