Print Problem Checklist

Designed to diagnose a printer that does not print - physical problems that prevent output.

Valid for Networked Postscript printer, serial non-PostScript printer, OR an Appletalk or serial nonPostscrip printer

Before you start:

  1. Verify that there is NOT a Virus Infection.
  2. Run your HardDrive Utility - DiskWarrior, Disk First Aid v8.2 or greater, Norton Disk Doctor
  3. If you have recently installed a utility or new application, disable the new installation and test.
. Diagnostic Checklist:
  • The printer is plugged in (other devices in that outlet) ........, ___ yes ___ no.
  • The printer has been unconnected and reconnected ............ ___ yes ___ no.
  • The printer is turned on (power light is on) ..................... ___ yes ___ no.
  • The printer's ready light is on (and no others) .................. ___ yes ___ no.
  • The printer can print a startup/test page .......................... ___ yes ___ no.
  • The printer is visible in chooser ................................... ___ yes ___ no.
  • The correct driver is selected in chooser ......................... ___ yes ___ no.
  • The printer is selected in chooser ................................. ___ yes ___ no.
  • The background printing is off .................................... ___ yes ___ no.
  • A small new simpletext document prints ......................... ___ yes ___ no.
  • A new document prints (in the problem program) .............. ___ yes ___ no.
  • A copy of the orginal problem file prints ......................... ___ yes ___ no.
  • The orginal problem file prints .................................... ___ yes ___ no.

Step #1: Is the printer plugged in, turned on, and connected to the computer?

  1. Check the power light on your printer. Turn off the Printer.
  2. Unplug and replug the cable connecting the printer and computer.
  3. It is best to turn off all equipment as you do this.
  4. Turn on the printer, first. Restart the computer. Test - try printing the document.
NOTE: The cabling is most often the problem.
The WRONG cable - labelling your cables can help.
Cables not plugged in.
Cables not securely plugged in.
Plugged into the wrong port or socket.
An old cable that has developed faults.
Next: Step #2
Step #2: Can the printer print a startup/test page
  1. Check the power light on your printer. Turn off the Printer.
  2. Unplug and replug the cable connecting the printer and computer.
  3. It is best to turn off all equipment as you do this.
  4. Turn on the printer, first. Prompt it to print a startup/ test page. Restart the computer.
NOTE: You will need to know the button or command to print a startup or configuration page.

Step #2 Result: #1: The printer printed the startup/test page. Next: Step #3

Step #2 Result: #2: The printer did not print the startup/test page. Next: Redo Steps #1 and 2
ACTION: Take the printer to a service center.
Step #3: Can you see the printer in the Chooser?
  1. Go to the Apple Menu, select Chooser.
  2. In the left Chooser window, select the icon (driver) for your printer.
  3. Does the name of the printer appear in the window to the left?
  4. THIS TELLS YOU: The computer and printer can communicate.
  5. Select the printer in the right window.
  6. Turn OFF Background Printing
  7. Close the Chooser.

Step #3 Result: #1: I don't see the printer in the chooser.

Some printers use a serial, rather than network connection. This means that the printer and computer do not talk to each other. Instead, the computer sends the print information to the selected connection, if the connection is correct, the printer recieves and prints the page.

  1. Go to the Apple Menu, select Chooser.
  2. In the left Chooser window, select the icon for your printer.
  3. Select the port (connection) used by your printer. The modem port (telephone icon) or the printer port (printer icon)
  4. Close the Chooser.

Step #3 Result: #2: I could see the printer, selected it, and closed the chooser. Next: Step #4

Step #4: Can you print a Simpletext document or a Finder Window?

THIS TELLS YOU: The computer, printer, and an application CAN print.
  1. Open Simpletext or Teachtext.
  2. Create a new file, type a line or two of text.
  3. From the File Menu choose print.
  4. Does the file print?
Step #4 Result: #1: The printer printed the document. Next Step #5
Step #4 Result: #2: The printer did not print the document. Redo Steps #3 and 4
Step #5: Can you print a new document in the problem application?
NOTE: The problem may be in your file and not the printer.
  1. Open the application that wouldn't print.
  2. Create a new file, type a line or two of text or draw an object.
  3. From the File Menu choose print.
  4. Does the file print?
Step #5 Result: #1: The printer printed the document. Next Step #6
Step #5 Result: #2: The printer did not print the document. Next Step #8
Step #6: Does a COPY of the orginal problem file print?
NOTE: The problem may be in the original copy of your file and not the printer, application or copy.
  1. Duplicate the problem file on your harddrive.
  2. Open the application that wouldn't print.
  3. Open the copy of the file. Print.
  4. Does the file print?
Step #6 Result: #1: The printer printed the copy. Next Step #7
Step #6 Result: #2: The printer did not print the copy Go To File Recovery
Step #7: Does the orginal problem file print?

NOTE: The problem may be solved.

  1. Open the application that wouldn't print.
  2. Open the original problem file. Print.
  3. Does the file print?
Step #7 Result: #1: The printer printed the original. DONE
Step #7 Result: #2: The printer did not print the original Next Step Delete original, rename copy.
Step #8: Does ANY file from the application print?

NOTE: The application may need more memory to handle a larger than normal document. Go To Memory

  1. Open the application that wouldn't print.
  2. Open a tutorial or sample file. Print.
  3. Does the file print?
Step #7 Result: #1: The printer printed the test file. The problem is with the file or a Font.
Step #7 Result: #2: The printer did not print the test file. Next Step Reinstall the Application
Simple Mistakes
Printer is out of ink or toner
The text of the document is set to a white color.
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