Troubleshoot printer issues
If you are having an issue with installing a printer or getting other issues dealing with a printer or printer setup on the computer, try this troubleshooter. If a step doesn't apply, skip to next step
- Turn computer off
- Turn printer off
- Disconnect power to printer for 2 minutes
- Turn printer back on
- Wait one minute
- Make sure all connections are good
- If your printer has both parallel and USB connectors, only have one of the two connected and not both. The USB is faster. (most new systems do not have parallel connections)
- Turn computer back on
- Make sure the printer has ink
- Is the printer networked? If so is it connected to the network via computer or router. If it is connected via a computer and the computer is off, the other systems will not see it.
- Make sure the dependencies to the print spool is started
- Check the manufacturer of the printer to see if there is a newer driver for the printer.
- Check the manufacturer for any patches or issues with the printer
- "Spooler subsystem app has encountered a problem and needs to close" and "Operation could not be completed" error messages Click here for help with this.
- Check Device Manager for bangs. (A bang is a !, X or ? next to the device. The !, X or ? indicates an issue)
- Boot to Safe mode and check for bangs in Device Manager.
- Limit MSCONFIG and check for a virus. (Windows 98, ME, and Windows XP) (Be sure to return MSCONFIG to original state after troubleshooting unless you want to leave it that way)
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Check hardware Problems for any possible hardware issues that may apply to your issue.
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Check Software Problems for any possible software issues that may apply to your issue.
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Set BIOS to default and clear NVRAM (Check your computer manual or manufacturer for instructions. Each system is different on this)
- If you have an error message, do a search for it at Google.com and at the knowledge base of Microsoft.com.
- Try the printer on another system to see if it is the printer or the computer.
- Look at How to use windows for further information on printers
- Use the Software Troubleshooter to further troubleshoot the issue