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Solving the Printer Problem

Having trouble getting a document to print? Try these troubleshooting steps. It is best to try the steps in order and to try to print after each step until you resolve the problem.

1. Make sure the printer is plugged into a power source and is switched on. Be sure that the printer appears in Apple System Profiler (located in /Applications/Utilities/). Look for the printer in the Devices and Volumes tab of Apple System Profiler. You can't print if your machine can not see that it is plugged in.

2. Make sure the printer has paper and toner.

3. Switch the printer off, wait 10 seconds, and then switch it back on.

4. Check to make sure the printer cable is firmly secured. You may wish to check this by disconnecting then reconnecting the cable. If you are printing to a networked printer, check its connections if you have access to doing so.

5. If your printer is capable of printing out a test page, try doing so to ensure that the printer itself is functioning. Your printer manual will have details on this. In the index look for "test print".

6. If your printer is connected to an AirPort Base Station, make sure that your computer is connected to the same AirPort network.

7. Try plugging your printer into another port of the same type (e.g. USB) on your computer. Disconnect all USB devices except the printer, Apple keyboard, and Apple mouse. And connect the printer directly to the computer, and that any hubs or extension cables are disconnected. Hubs are a big culprit.

8. If you have a spare cable, try using it to see if the current cable is faulty.

9. Try printing from another application to see if the problem is in the application you are using.

10. Make sure your printer is the selected printer in the Print dialog. If you do not see it listed, select it from the Printer pop-up menu.

11. Make sure that your operating software is up-to-date and that you are using the manufacturer's latest printer driver.

12. Try deleting and then re-adding your printer through the Printer Setup Utility (Applications - Utilities).

13. Check the print job queue by opening Printer Setup Utility, double-clicking your printer in the list, and checking the status message next to the printer icon. If you see the message Jobs Stopped, click on Start Jobs. If a print job shows an error, click to select the job and then click on Delete. A detailed description on how to clear the printer queue is here .

If these suggestions do not resolve your printer issue you can contact the printer manufacturer or contact Miss Mac 454-7253.

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