Best Ways To Extend The Life Of Your Printer

By Author: John Pickering
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These days, dollars are becoming harder to get and are as hard as ever to hang onto. Even with inexpensive inkjets available, replacing your printer can cause you to spend more than you would like to (which is probably zero). As with other appliances or tools that you use daily, you want it to last as long as possible, but you want it performing well all that time, too. In no particular order, then, here are 10 effective ways to extend the life of your printer.

1. Use quality paper

Crumpled, uneven and even improperly trimmed paper can cause paper jams in both inkjet and laser printers, possibly releasing an excessive amount of ink and/or damaging some internal parts. Remember that it doesn't make economic sense to repair printers that cost under $100 or so, as replacement is required. To get a good, long life from your printer, always use new paper that is not bent, ripped, curled or damaged in any way.

2. Keep the printer clean

One of the best ways to extend the life of your printer is observe proper maintenance routines. For inkjet printers, this means cleaning the ink nozzles, rollers and other ...
... internal parts. For laser printers, it means cleaning the "corona wire," rollers and paper path. Over time, printers build up debris and dust inside, so get a can of air to blow it all out. Your printer software should also have a maintenance option, enabling you to run cleaning "routines" on a regular basis (at least monthly).

3. Check the basics, regularly

Believe it or not, cables go bad like most everything else. Most printers connect via USB (Universal Serial Bus) or Ethernet (for shared office printers), and these cables should not be bent, cut or frayed. Check them regularly for integrity.

4. Use the right printer drivers and maintenance software

The overwhelming majority of printers come with a CD containing software drivers that your computer uses to communicate with them. Unless you are a software and printer expert, use the software that came with your printer for both printing and maintenance tasks.

5. Turn your printer off when not in use

When you are not using your printer it is probably best to shut it off. For one thing, this will prevent your ink from drying out faster. If you plan on not using the printer for an extended period, unplugging it will improve the chances that the ink will last until the next time you are ready to use it.

6. Don't use low quality ink

Just because an ink cartridge is compatible with your printer does not mean that it's as good as the original, either in operation or ink quality. Compatible ink cartridges might seem to perform the same but they don't maintain their "quality" over a long period of time. Using refurbished ink cartridges could affect the life and performance of the printer.

7. Do not force a paper jam out

Forcing a paper jam out of a printer can cause more damage than help. You can accidentally leave paper inside the printer and cause further problems to it. To clear a jam, open the printer up entirely, so you can clearly see the paper path, guides, rollers and other mechanisms. The paper path in a laser printer is more involved than that in an inkjet, but with both it should become readily apparent how to pull the jammed paper out smoothly without having to yank it out or rip it into pieces.

8. Preview pages before printing

It is a good idea to preview the pages (onscreen) that you are going to print. This will allow you to see the page layout and how it will look once it's printed. The fewer bad pages you print, the less wear and tear on the device and, hence, the longer it will last.

9. Avoid printing too many large pictures and images

This is, of course, a straightforward way that you can save on ink and paper. If you have an inkjet printer, you should print photos out on special photo paper, which won't require as much ink as a regular printer will.

10. Purchase a printer based on your needs

It sounds obvious, something everyone should know, but if you use a printer on a daily basis then you need one that has a "duty cycle" three times your estimated daily output. The monthly duty cycle tells you the number of pages that your printer can produce. It is a good idea to buy a printer that has sturdiness and is equipped for your personal needs.

Remember, your printer will perform at its best when properly treated and maintained. If you keep it clean and perform the regular maintenance duties on your printer the longevity of it will surprise you. Treat your printer right and you and your printer will have a long and successful relationship.
About Author:
John Pickering is the owner of EezyTrade.co.uk, an online retailer of new and refilled printer ink cartridges for Brother, HP, Canon, Epson, Lexmark and Xerox printers. Visit online today and begin saving.