Handy Tips for Columbus Printer Repair You Can Do Yourself

Printers, like all technology, go to pieces when you least want them to. When you find yourself in need of printer repair in the Columbus area, first relax. Step back and breathe. You might be able to take care of this problem yourself. Just as you can sometimes treat a cold with enough orange juice, many printer repair problems can be handled on your own before calling a professional. Try the following techniques. If you reach the end of your ropes, maybe it's time to call a professional Columbus printer repair service.

Paper Jam

This is a pretty easy problem to fix when it comes to Columbus printer repair. This usually occurs when your paper is either loading or printing. The paper wraps around the paper spools, entangling itself to shreds in the moving parts. When your printer grinds to a halt, it's understandable that your first reaction is to rip all your hair out. Relax. Unplug the printer from the power source, and then unload any jammed paper. Once the paper is out, gently remove the print head if a stand up printer, or open the door so you can see the paper spools. Gently grab the paper and pull. If paper gets torn, don't worry. You can pull the big pieces by hand, and then use tweezers for the little bits. It's a common Columbus printer repair emergency that is easily fixed.

Ink Leaks or Smears

If your documents are coming out with blotched or smeared ink, you've probably got a problem with your printer cartridge. This is another Columbus printer repair problem that is easily fixed. Open the printer so you can get at the print cartridge. You may have to press the cartridge eject button. Once you've freed the print cartridge from the printer, examine the bottom.

If the plastic film on the bottom seams cloudy, it's likely that cartridge is simply blocked and needs cleaning. Take a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and run it up and down against the plastic until all the ink has been removed. Once the ink cartridge is clean, shake it up or down to check for leaks. If ink leaks out the bottom, it will need to be replaced. If not, simply plug the cartridge back in. You should be good to go.