1 Answer

Printer Troubleshooting Steps and Procedures 

The following steps applies to all brands of printers.

1. When connected by a USB cable, reseat both ends of the cable going from the computer to the printer.
   
   

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2. Restart the computer.
   
   

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3. Turn the printer off.
   
   

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4. Unplug the printer power cord from the A/C outlet or surge protector and wait at least 30 seconds.
   
   

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5. Plug the printer power cord back into the A/C outlet or surge protector.
   
   

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6. Turn the printer back on.
   
   

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7. Print a test page. 
   
   
   
   
   • For instructions on how to print a test page from Windows, Click Here.
     (When the page prints successfully no further actions are required.)
   
   
   
   
   

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8. Make sure the desired printer is set as the default printer.
   
   
   
   
   • For instructions on how to check which printer is set as the default and change it if needed, Click Here
   
   
   
   
   

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9. For networked printers (connected by a wireless or wired network and not a USB cable) make sure the computer is on the network and the printer portal settings and IP address are correct.
   
   
   
   • For instructions on how to make sure the computer is on the network and the printer portal settings and IP address are correct, Click Here.
   
   
   
   

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10. Run the automated printer fix available from Microsoft.
    
    
    
    
    • For instructions on how to run the automated printer fix available from Microsoft, 
      Click Here (This automated fix may uninstall your printer driver.)
    
    
    
    
    

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11. Print a test page. 
    
    
    
    
    • For instructions on how to print a test page from Windows, Click Here.
      (When the page prints successfully no further actions are required.)
    
    
    
    
    

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12. Perform a System Restore to a time when the printer was working.
    
    
    
    
    • For instructions on how to perform a System Restore, refer to Dell Knowledge base article, "How To Restore or Reinstall Microsoft Windows on a Dell Computer"
      (When the printer still does not work successfully proceed to step 13.)
    
    
    
    
    

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13. Uninstall the printer driver, download and install the latest printer driver. 
    
    
    
    
    
    • For instructions on how to do so for Dell printers, refer to the Dell Knowledge Base article:
      How to Download and Install Printer Driver Download Page.
    
    
    • For help with non-Dell printers, refer to the Non Dell Printer Drivers, Manuals and Support section. 
    
    
    
    

Source: Dell support http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&docid=604010