Ready to print out Grandma’s Super-Secret meatloaf recipe? Or perhaps a contract that could mean thousands of dollars? If the printer fails to “do it’s thing,” you need a quick solution. Reach for the most overlooked tool in the Windows 10 operating system – the Printer Troubleshooter. The cool thing about this handy utility (other than it is essentially free) is that once activated it will quickly run through a bunch of processes that will help identify and potentially fix most common printer problems.
Number One – Begin by turning the printer and your computer off and back on. This will reset internal settings on both devices.
Number Two – Locate and activate the troubleshooter. Click the Windows “Start” icon in the lower left corner of your screen. In the Search type: troubleshoot. When the Troubleshoot screen pops up, locate the “Additional troubleshooter” link and click. At that point click on the Printer icon and click: Run the troubleshooter. Finally select your printer from the list and click: Next At this point the repair process will begin
Number Three – What if I do not see the printer in the list of printers? Begin by checking cable connections. Reset (unplug and re-connect) the USB cable, or Ethernet cable if your printer is using that. Using a wireless connection? Turn on the wireless feature on BOTH your computer and the printer. Next, verify that the printer connected to the same network as your computer. I know, this sounds complex. Learn more about how to run additional network checks at these posts.
Number Four – Presupposing that the troubleshooter runs, you will see the “closing dialog.” Important Note: Do NOT close this dialog yet. See the link “View detailed information,” at bottom left corner of the dialog? Here is the cool part. Click on that link. A list of tests and the results will appear.
Number Five – Follow the breadcrumbs. From within the detailed view of tests in the Troubleshooter, you can click on a “flagged” problem and read the solution for the issue. To clarify a bit. The Troubleshooter runs a host of “most likely,” diagnostic repairs automatically. What you are seeing is a detailed list that identifies the tests and lists the most common problems and offers solutions.
Is the Troubleshooter perfect? In a word, No. Some of the core features are hidden. Which forces you to dig a little. Plus, you must be a bit of an expert to understand the results. For example. What do the terms, “Printer Spool Service,” or “Clearing printer cue” mean? Definitions of these terms are in a glossary. Our glossary is a work in progress. Check back for more weekly Glossary updates.