II. Precautions: Printer Security
- Change all printer default passwords (not secure, published on the web)
- Stick to private, non-routable IP Addresses for printers (default configuration)
- Limit printer administration to authorized administrators
- Limit printer use to authenticated users
- Configure printer to regularly delete/purge its spool cache
- Printer hard drive otherwise retains sensitive document images
III. Types: Devices
- Multifunction Printer or Device (MFP or MFD)
- Able to print, copy, scan, fax from network (typically ethernet or wireless)
- Use the MFP manufacturer's specific driver
- Configuration typically via network (or by intergrated screen display)
- Modern network printers typically have their own integrated print server (spools/stores jobs)
- Older printers lacked their own server, and required a separate integrated spooling device (ISD) for sharing
- Larger organizations will often designate a server to manage print jobs (built-in Windows Server functionality)
- Laser printer
- High quality grayscale and color printing via laser
- Toner cartridge contains photoreceptor drum
- Photoreceptor is activated by laser within the printer chassis
- Fuser bonds toner to the paper
- Dry toner powder is a health hazard (return to manufacturer for disposal, do not refill)
- Primarily on network via ethernet
- Inkjet printer
- Ink droplets, dispensed from color-specific cartridges applied to matte or glossy paper
- Printers are inexpensive, but the actual inks can be expensive to maintain
- Dot Matrix (Ink Jet) Printer
- Very old, first generation printers following typewriters
- Print head impacts paper through a ribbon
- Paper lined with holes is tractor fed through the printer, line-by-line
- Thermal printer
- Dot-matrix type printers imprint paper via head, and are fed by rollers (not tractor fed)
- Often used to generate receipts
IV. Types: Remote and cloud printing options
- Internet Printing Protocol (IPP)
- Protocol for discoverable printers over Http/IP
- Allows printing from even non-networked devices
- Apple AirPrint or Bonjour
- Google Cloud Print
- Virtual Private Network (VPN) printing
V. Approach: Printer Maintenance
- Keep replacement toner cartridges, ink cartridges, paper on hand
- Ink jet printers requires periodic calibration and print head cleaning (using included software); start by printing test pages
- Review printer status messages periodically
- Networked printers may be reviewed via web interface
- Some printers have functionality to email warning messages to administrator
- Tools
- Compressed air (do not use with loose toner - hazardous)
- Printer Maintenance Kit (manufacturer and model specific)
- Laser printer maintenance kits are available for most printers
- Use to replace most commonly worn parts, except toner
- Toner vaccuum (for toner spills which are toxic, use protective clothing, gloves, mask)
- Windows Command-line
- Net
- Net stop spooler
- Net start spooler
- Net
VI. Differential Diagnosis: Printer Troubleshooting - Quality
- Printing Streaks
- Low toner (replace toner)
- Dirty rollers (clean with maintenance kit)
- Dirty print nozzles (printer software cleans nozzles)
- Faded prints
- Toner saving enabled (change printer properties to disable)
- Clogged print nozzles (replace ink bottles)
- Ghost image (duplicate image offset on the printout)
- Imaging drum wiper blade problem in the laser cartridge (replace the toner cartridge)
- Fuser problem (replace fuser with one from the laser maintenance kit)
- Toner not fused to the paper (incomplete text on page)
- Fuser problem (replace fuser with one from the laser maintenance kit)
- Vertical lines on page
- Laser toner cartridge issue (replace toner cartridge)
- Inkjet rollers have loose ink (clean the ink bottles, rollers)
- Nonsense characters are printed
- Printer driver dysfunction (confirm correct printer driver version and reinstall, update or rollback driver)
- Connection problem (cable or port)
- Try printing via direct connection from another computer (confirms a non-printer issue)
- Wrong print color
- Color Toner low or empty
- Ink Cartridge low, empty or clogged print nozzle
- Blank pages are printed
- Toner sealing tape still attached after installation
- Clogged print nozzles
VII. Differential Diagnosis: Printer Troubleshooting - Paper Feeding
- Creased Paper
- Paper guides pinching paper (check that width between guides is adequate for paper size)
- Paper too wide or narrow for guides
- Paper not feeding
- Worn pickup rollers (replace rollers with those in laser maintenance kit)
- Frequent paper jams
- Paper too thick for paper path (use thinner paper or load one page at a time)
- Paper damp, creased or otherwise damaged (remove from paper stack)
- Paper stuck together (ruffle paper on all sides before loading)
VIII. Differential Diagnosis: Printer Troubleshooting - Connectivity and Permissions
- No connectivity
- Cable disconnected or USB port dysfunction
- Check connections and try a different port
- Reboot system and printer
- Network connection configuration issue
- Check for valid IP Address on the printer display
- Confirm valid switch connection and on the same subnet as the computer needing access
- Cable disconnected or USB port dysfunction
- Unable to install printer
- Insufficient privelege (requires administrator rights)
- Access denied print error
- Insufficent Network Permissions (modify group permissions or add user to group that has permissions)
- Printer queue frozen
- Offline printer (check printer settings on the device)
- Check printer queue (unpause, clear)
IX. Differential Diagnosis: Printer Troubleshooting - Miscellaneous
- Printer low memory error
- Lengthy or complex documents (break-up documents or print in lower resolution)
- Printer RAM too low (increase RAM installed on printer)
- Printer will not print
- Laser printer Toner cartridge problem
- Ink jet printer ink cartridges empty
- Printer offline (check web interface)
- Printer ports or cables problems
- Printer display off
- Printer is off or in sleep mode
- Display defective
X. References
- Warner (2015) CompTIA A+, Pluralsight