Archive for August, 2010

Dell printers are typically reliable and easy-to-use, but occasionally errors can occur. Newer models have larger displays that allow for fairly detailed descriptions of errors, but older Dell printers with smaller display screens used number codes for certain issues.   So if a message pops up and says “Output bin full – remove paper,” there is no code to crack.  You should be able to find the number codes in your user’s manual, but here is a list of the most common codes you may encounter when using your Dell printer.

Many of the solutions here are simple and some of the error messages can be bypassed simply by hitting the Back button.  Be sure to consult your user’s manual before doing anything that could damage the machine, however.  If your error is not in this list or is still showing up after trying the proposed solutions, contact technical support.

Lexmark laser printers are some of the best on the market for use in an office environment, small or large.  These machines are built to provide efficient speed and professional quality for many years.  Though durable, a device with so many moving parts can run into trouble.  Parts get worn down, debris gets stuck, errors occur.  A series of LED lights will usually blink when something is not working properly and then an error code will be displayed on the LCD.

With so many different models and a plethora of potential issues, determining the problem yourself can be difficult.  Before you call in the professionals, though, take a look at this list of error codes.  Codes can vary from model to model, but these will apply to most Lexmark machines.

This list covers the most common error codes for Lexmark devices. If you are getting an error code that is not on this list, refer to the Lexmark website, refer to the user manual, or contact Lexmark directly for further information.

Over the years, printers have developed from simple, basic machines to complex, multi-featured, all-in-one devices that can handle enormous daily office volumes or produce beautiful images.  This rapid development is evident in printer display panels, which started as small, 2-line black-and-white screens and now offer large, color, touchscreen LCDs.

Error messages for Canon printers at one time were provided in numeric code, as ample space wasn’t available to give you full descriptions of the issues.  Of course, current models have error messages that provide more detail about each issue, making it easy for you to diagnose and fix the problem.  However, for those who still get error codes, here is a list of some of the most common, and some solutions to help you get up and running again:

These are some of the most common numeric error codes that you will find when you use Canon printers.  Most of them have quick, simple fixes.  For the issues that are slightly more complicated, you should consider contacting technical support.  Every time you handle things yourself, you are running the risk of further damaging your machine.

Many inkjet printers use multiple ink cartridges that must be changed depending on what type of printing is taking place.  For instance, many HP inkjet models have normal HP ink cartridges and photo cartridges.  When printing photos, one of the original cartridges must be removed and replaced with a specialty photo cartridge, then the process is reversed for normal printing.

While many users may switch back and forth every day, some may only switch to photo printing very rarely.  If an ink cartridge that has been opened sits unused for too long, it can dry up when not in use and may not work properly. By properly storing open ink cartridges, however, you can prolong their life.

The best way to keep a cartridge from drying it out is to store it in a sealed container with a source of moisture. Follow these steps to store your cartridges properly.

Use a moist cloth to very gently wipe the heads of the cartridge to remove any excess ink.

Use a strip of vinyl tape such as electrical tape to cover the printing heads. If the cartridge has multiple heads, make sure each is properly covered.

1. Wet a small cloth and wring it out so it is only slightly damp.
2. Place the cartridge and cloth in a zip-sealed sandwich bag or a resealable plastic container. Seal the bag or container.
3. Place the bag or container in a cool, dry location out of any direct sunlight.
4. Check the moisture of the cloth every few days. If it isn’t damp, re-moisten it for best results, then reseal the container.

While these extra steps may seem like a lot of work, they can mean the difference between a usable cartridge and one that requires a costly replacement. By better maintaining your open ink cartridges, you can save yourself a lot of money over the course of a year. Taking proper care of your printer is just as important as taking care of the cartridges, so see our article on Prolonging the Life of Your Inkjet Printer for helpful tips.

Inkjet printers use a liquid ink held in small cartridges attached to a printhead, which moves across the page to apply ink to the paper in small droplets.  The internal cleaning system of inkjet printers typically focus on the printhead.  Because of its central purpose, the inkjet printhead experiences a lot of wear and tear and can accumulate excess dried ink.

There are actually many important components in an inkjet printer that do not get cleaned by the internal cycle and could negatively impact quality.  If you are experiencing problems, it may be beneficial to try cleaning it yourself.  This article will list the parts you need to know, the supplies you need to have and the process you need to follow to clean the inside of your inkjet printer.

List of Supplies:

• Isopropyl alcohol
• Glass cleaner
• Cotton swabs
• Paper towels
• Printer/copier oil (WD-40 will work if nothing else is available)
• Long hook or pencil

Click the diagram above for a larger view.

List of Components:

• Printhead – applies ink to paper.
• Stepper motor – controls the movement of the belt that moves the printhead.
• Stabilizer bar – keeps the printhead and motor evenly lined up.
• Paper rollers – pulls the paper through the printer
• Interface ribbon – carries information to the printhead about the task at hand.

The Cleaning Process:

An ink cartridge before and after step #2.

1. Take the cartridges out of the machine, turn it off, and unplug it.
2. Fold a paper towel in fourths, dampen it with isopropyl alcohol and wipe the part of the cartridge that releases the printer ink.
3. Fold another paper towel in fourths and dampen with glass cleaner.  Carefully wipe the ribbon, which should be located right behind the printhead.
4. Because the ink cartridges dock on one side of the machine when not printing, a mess can form beneath them.  This can be difficult to reach, so use your long hook or pencil to scrape the ink residue from the floor of the printer.
5. When the stabilizer bar is dirty, you may hear grinding noises when the printhead is moving.  Pour a few drops of oil on the bar and manually move the printhead back and forth to evenly spread and coat the oil.
6. Because the feed rollers can be tough to reach, use cotton swabs damp with isopropyl alcohol to wipe excess dirt or ink off the rollers.  For more in-depth detail, see Cleaning Printer Rollers.
7. Once the inside has been cleaned, use your paper towel and glass cleaner to wipe down the outside of the machine.

There is always a risk that comes along with performing tasks like this yourself, so proceed with caution.  Even though inkjet printers are not overly expensive, you still want to get as much life out of them as possible.  By cleaning your machine using these steps, you can hopefully improve the quality of documents and prolong the life of the printer.

A printer fuser is the mechanism that applies heat and pressure to bond toner to a piece of paper.  This is one of the most important components of any laser printer because it fuses toner to the page to resist smearing and smudging that often happen with other printing technologies.

At the end of the laser printing process, the toner will be loosely applied to the paper in powder form which then gets pulled through a set of two rollers that make up the fuser assembly.  The rollers themselves are covered in a material known as Teflon, which prevents the toner from sticking to the rollers.

As you can see in the diagram above, the sheet is sandwiched between the two rollers.  The top roller holds the element of heat which melts and permanently presses the toner into the fibers of the paper.  The bottom roller is sometimes heated as well, particularly in the case of duplex (two-sided) printing.

You may be wondering if the roller can get too hot or how the piece of paper does not get burned.  There is a thermostat built in that will cut the heat once it has reached a certain temperature.  You probably notice the sheet is warm when it first prints out.  It cannot get overheated, though, because the paper moves so quickly through the fuser.

The fuser kit will begin to wear and require replacements because of the heat and accumulation of dust particles.  Of course you can try to clean the rollers, but sometimes the damage is done. You will know the time has come when the printed pages consistently have lines on them, usually as a result of a scratched roller surface.  Additionally, most modern printers will automatically alert users when the fuser kit needs to be replaced.  This alert may appear on the printer’s control panel or in the printer software on the computer.

A fuser does just what the name implies; it fuses the toner onto the sheet of paper by using heat and pressure.  Though not a widely discussed component of a printer, it is certainly one of the most important.  Without it, loose particles of toner would fall off the page, but more realistically, printed text and images would not be as resistant to smearing and smudges without the bonding process that the fuser provides.

Brother is one of the most widely known manufacturers of office equipment, ranging from thermal label printers to enterprise all-in-one machines.  Over the years, Brother has earned a reputation of producing top-of-the-line equipment with innovative features.  However, with complex machinery, problems will come up.  Below we have listed the most common error messages reported from Brother users, and some potential solutions:

Error 40-44

Any of these numbers indicates that the printer is overheating, typically from overuse.  The manufacturer recommends simply turning the machine off, unplugging it from the wall, and letting it cool down for several minutes.  When you restart it, the message should be gone.

Error 5X – 7X

A paper jam or sensor issue has caused the machine to stop printing.  Open your machine and clear the jammed paper or wipe debris off the sensor.  Brother offers instructions on how to clear various types of paper jams.

Error E50

The fuser is a heated roller that is used to melt and fuse the toner to the paper.  Once the loose toner is applied to the paper, the fuser applies heat and pressure to bind the laser toner particles to the fibers of the material.  The E50 error represents a malfunction in the fuser and that part will likely need to be replaced.

Error E51

This error message will appear when there is something wrong with the laser protection.  Either the lid, beam, or mirror is out of alignment.  Your best bet is to contact technical support.

Breaking down a Parallel Port

If you have connected your computer to the Brother printer via parallel port, this error will appear when there has been a data transfer issue.  Restart your printer and computer to clear the data and try again.

Check Paper Path

The rollers inside of the machine are dirty or have become misaligned.  Open the printer and clean or straighten the rollers.  If this doesn’t work, you may need to replace the roller(s) causing the problem.

Cutter Problems

A defective cutter spring has caused a jam inside the printer.  Remove the cutter assembly, lubricate it, and reinstall it.  Consult the manual for specific instructions, or contact Technical Support.

These errors are not all universal.  For instance, inkjet printers do not have a fuser, so you will not see Error E50 on your Brother inkjet printer.  Still, this list comprises some of the most common messages across Brother’s entire line of printers.  If your error message is not listed here, reference your user’s manual or contact Brother directly for further assistance.