Top 3 Printer Repair Issues and How to Solve Them

Like any machine in an office environment, a laser printer will occasionally have issues, from the minor to the serious. Fortunately, sometimes it just takes some printer know-how to address the problem. Gain some insight by looking at these top repair issues, along with tips on how to solve them quickly and affordably:

Problem: Dark streaks on printouts

Fix: Change the toner cartridge

Often, a change in cartridges will give laser printer owners a false sense of security, since they might believe that a new or freshly recycled cartridge wouldn’t have any type of problems. But there are many situations where a cartridge can be negatively impacted by handling, temperature changes during shipping, even from an employee dropping it before it goes in the printer. To find out if the cartridge is the problem, swap it out with one from another printer in the office (as long as they’re the same type) and run a print job. Most likely, the “new” cartridge will have to be replaced.

Problem: Frequent paper jams

Fix: Clean first, replace rollers if necessary

One of the most frustrating problems with laser printers, paper jams can create larger problems since tiny, torn pieces of paper can get into the machinery. The reason jams occur can depend on the printer type, but most often, the rollers are the culprits. Give them a thorough cleaning first to see if that solves the issue — don’t forget to unplug the printer first and let it cool down for an hour before taking on the project. There are many products available for cleaning, but usually a slightly damp, lint-free cloth will work well. If that doesn’t solve the issue, then it’s likely that the rollers will need to be replaced, and a call to an OnForce specialist will be in order.

Problem: Regular error messages

Fix: Learn the error codes, install firmware updates

Like any laptop or server, laser printers depend on software and technologically advanced hardware in order to run, and that means a company will have to apply software and firmware updates as they would with other technology components. Often, it’s easy to know when updates are needed because the printer is showing error messages that indicate difficulties in communication between the printer and the computer. Faulty cables, software inoperability, new devices without proper print drivers, or other concerns can all create error codes, so learning what each code means can be helpful. After that, follow manufacturer instructions for applying firmware updates, which can usually be found on their websites. Once firmware is updated, be sure to restart the printer, similar to restarting a computer after installation of a security patch.

With error codes resolved, clean rollers, and more reliable cartridges, it’s likely that any laser printer will be operating more efficiently and trouble-free. For more extensive fixes, contact your OnForce representative for more advice and on-site repairs that can keep those printers going strong.

Reference: OnForce Inc

Is Your Printer a Hidden Security Risk?

Although intrusion detection systems and robust firewalls are necessary for protecting companies of any size, sometimes there are scary threats to the business lurking just inside the company walls.

Case in point: your laser printer.

Many enterprises and small businesses, even those that are tech savvy, forget to include printer protection in their security mix, because they’re focused instead on more traditional types of risks like malicious viruses and hacker attempts. Yet printers have the capability to store massive amounts of information, and that data can get accessed.

In 2011, two Columbia University researchers discovered that HP LaserJet printers didn’t require a signature or certificate to identify the source of remote software updates. Since a LaserJet checks for software updates whenever a new job is sent, this means that the laser printers were creating security risks every single time it was utilized for printing.

The researchers sent a virus-filled print job into the queue, in the form of a tax return. Using the printer flaw, they were able to redirect the information to a remote computer representing an external hacker’s laptop.

First rolled out in 1984, LaserJet printers are used in millions of businesses, and newer models can accept jobs through Internet connections, which simply exacerbates the security risk, the researchers believe.

The threat isn’t just with HP laser printers, either. Any printer that utilizes software updates and features an Internet connection might present a risk. Here are three simple steps to making sure you’re protected:

Change the default password. Even when printers are networked, companies tend to keep the default password because they view the machine as an internal resource, not a source of information to external parties. Simply changing the password goes a long way toward blocking remote access.

Keep the firmware updated. Printer manufacturers often release updates to firmware, especially when security issues are detected. Much like a laptop or desktop computer, frequent security patches and fixes are necessary to block the newest threats.

Don’t network unless necessary. Although some companies use one laser printer for a department, there are some instances where a printer is assigned to an individual. In that case, connect the printer directly to the computer and keep it off the network.

Whenever a machine is networked, keep security in mind — this applies to servers, photocopiers, even VoIP phone systems. Where there’s an opening, there’s a problem. Prevent issues by locking down your laser printers and keeping your company in tip-top security shape.

Reference: OnForce Inc