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5 Simple Ways to Extend The Life Of Your Printer
Computers and their counterparts can be tricky to keep up with. Make your purchases last by providing quality care and giving them the attention they need. Spending a few minutes every so often to provide routine maintenance for your printer can significantly extend its lifespan. If you keep this valuable piece of equipment in good shape, it may outlast several computers and provide quality print outs for years to come, plus you can do your part for the environment at the same time.
Keep it clean
Take a few minutes to wipe off the outside of your printer and the printer tray. Then, open your printer up and remove excess dust and bits of paper with a can of compressed air. If your printer suffers a particularly nasty jam, be sure to clean up after you’ve cleared the jam. Keeping the paper tray closed when the printer isn’t in use will also help reduce the dust inside. You should clean off your printer at least once a month.
Practice proper storage
You should store your printer in a cool, dry place. Avoid humidity at all costs. To keep your paper looking bright and white at all times, you should also store the unit out of the way of direct sunlight. If you keep your printer on a small shelf of your desk, make sure that there is enough room for the paper to stand up properly. If you need to bend the paper at an awkward angle to get it into the feed tray, you should consider a different place for your printer.
Use quality paper
This doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot of money on your computer paper, only that you should take good care of it. Keep your paper flat and crease-free. Crumpled edges are just asking for a paper jam. You should note that most manufacturers also have minimum standards for the paper used in their printer. If you experience technical difficulties, they may refuse to help unless you are using the proper paper.
Replace the rollers
The feed rollers in your printer should be slightly rough to help them grab onto the paper and feed it through. Smooth, shiny rollers need to be replaced. If you have a laser printer, you can simply replace the rollers at the same time as the maintenance kit. For all other printers you should check manually.
Get to know your printer
Take a few moments to read through the owner’s manual. This is the best place to find specific tips and tricks for caring for your printer. Your manual should give you some basic maintenance information as well as a troubleshooting guide.
