15.01.2024 Views

CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide

  • No tags were found...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Don’t forget to replace the ink ribbon every so often.

Most impact printers use paper continuously fed from a roll or ream, so

changing or replacing the paper is a little more involved than adding sheets to

the tray. First you’ll need to swap out the rolls or move the new ream into

position, and then you’ll need to feed the new paper. If there is already paper

in the printer, you’ll need to finish feeding it out first. Like with other

printers, paper quality, debris, and improperly fed paper can all lead to jams,

which you’ll typically clear by feeding the paper one way or the other.

For all of these processes, look up the printer’s documentation; if you

don’t follow the instructions, there’s a chance you’ll damage the printer.

There’s often a manual feeding wheel or roller, or you may just need to pull

the paper firmly from one side of the printer; both of these can break the

feeding system if performed improperly.

Bad-Looking Text

White bars going through the text point to a dirty or damaged printhead. Try

cleaning the printhead with a little denatured alcohol. If the problem persists,

replace the printhead. Printheads for most printers are readily available from

the manufacturer or from companies that rebuild them. If the characters look

chopped off at the top or bottom, the printhead probably needs to be adjusted.

Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for proper adjustment. If the

characters have simply degraded or grown faint over time and your printer is

used frequently, the printhead may be wearing out; replace it.

Bad-Looking Page

If the page is covered with dots and small smudges—the “pepper look”—the

platen is dirty. Clean the platen with denatured alcohol. If the image is faded,

and you know the ribbon is good, try adjusting the printhead closer to the

platen. If the image is okay on one side of the paper but fades as you move to

the other, the platen is out of adjustment. Platens are generally difficult to

adjust, so your best plan is to take it to the manufacturer’s local

warranty/repair center.

Troubleshooting Thermal Printers

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!