How to Install Printers and Troubleshoot Printing Problems

To install a new printer, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Printers.

2. Double-click Add Printer, and then click Next.

3. Click Local Printer or Network Printer as appropriate, and then click Next.

If you click Network Printer, you are prompted for the network path for the printer. If you do not know the correct path, click Browse. Click either Yes or No in the "Do you print from MS-DOS-based programs?" area, and then click Next.

4. Click the appropriate manufacturer and model for your printer, and then click Next.

5.If you chose to install a local printer, click the correct port and then click Next.

6. Type a name for the printer (or accept the default name), and then click either Yes or No in the "Do you want your Windows-based programs to use this printer as the default printer?" area. Click Next.

7. To print a test page, click Yes. Click Finish.

Troubleshooting

Check Your Printer Hardware Many printing problems can be caused by hardware-related issues. Before proceeding to more complex troubleshooting methods, you must verify that the following hardware-related issues are not causing your printing problem:

Verify that your printer is connected to a working power source.

• Verify that your printer is properly connected to your printer port. Note that the cable must be seated properly in the printer port on your computer and at the printer.
• Verify that your printer has paper (or other appropriate printing media) available, and that it is not jamming the printer.
• Verify that your printer contains a sufficient supply of ink or toner to work properly.
• If your printer has an online/offline setting or button, verify that your printer is online.
• Reset your printer by turning it off and then turning it back on after 5 to 10 seconds. Many printing problems are the result of your printer memory being full.
• Verify that you have followed all of the installation instructions provided by your printer manufacturer.
• If your printer documentation includes any troubleshooting information, perform those troubleshooting steps.
• If possible, perform a self-test on the printer. These "self-diagnostic" tools can often resolve or diagnose basic issues with your hardware. The method for performing a self-test is different for different printers, and you should view your printer documentation for instructions about how to do so.

NOTE: If the self-test does not work, your printer may be damaged or need servicing and you should contact your printer manufacturer for further assistance.

• If another computer is available, verify that your printer works properly when connected to another computer. Note that if your printer does not work properly when connected to another computer, your printer may be damaged, and may need servicing.
• Many printing issues can be easily resolved by obtaining and installing the most current printer driver (the software that makes your printer work) for your printer. For information about how to obtain and install the most current printer driver for your specific printer, check your printer manufacturers Web site:

Remove and Reinstall the Printer Driver

To verify that your printer driver is correctly installed and is not damaged, remove and reinstall the printer driver: If you are using a third-party driver provided by your printer manufacturer instead of a driver included with Windows 98 or Windows 95, follow the instructions provided by your printer manufacturer to remove and reinstall your printer driver.

1. Click Start, point to Settings, then click Printers.

2. Right-click the printer you want to remove, then click Delete. NOTE: If you are prompted to remove all the files associated with the printer, click Yes.

3. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers.

4. Double-click Add Printer, and then follow the instructions in the Add Printer Wizard to reinstall the appropriate printer driver.

5. Test to determine if your printing issue is resolved. If your printing issue is not resolved, continue to the next step.

6. Try using the "Generic/Text Only" printer driver for your printer. This test can help determine whether or not your printing issue is related to your printer driver. To try using the "Generic/Text Only" printer driver:

a. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers.

b. Double-click Add Printer, and then follow the instructions in the Add Printer Wizard to install the Generic/Text Only printer driver as a local printer.

c. Test to determine if you can print using this driver. Note that this driver is a very basic driver, and the printed output may be simplified or appear in a lower resolution. If you can print successfully using the Generic/Text Only printer driver, your printing issue is most likely specific to the printer driver you are using. You should contact your printer manufacturer to inquire about the availability of an updated printer driver, a patch (or fix) for your current driver, or information about any known issues with your driver.