Printer Care and Safety

Printers need very little care, but a few habits prevent the most common problems. Always check your model's user guide first: it describes the maintenance tools built into your printer and which parts you may handle.

Everyday care

• Print something every week or two if you have an inkjet. Regular use keeps ink from drying in the print head.
• Use the power button to switch off, rather than unplugging or switching off at the wall. Many inkjets park and cap the print head when switched off properly.
• Store paper flat and dry, in its wrapper. Damp or curled paper causes jams.
• Keep it level, ventilated and dust-free, away from direct sunlight and heaters.

Built-in maintenance tools

Most printers have maintenance functions in their control panel, companion app or driver, such as a nozzle check, print-head cleaning, print-head alignment or a cleaning page for lasers. A nozzle check pattern shows whether any colour has gaps. Cleaning cycles use ink, so run one, check the result, and don't repeat them many times in a row.

Safety

• Switch off and unplug before reaching inside, except where the guide says the printer must be on (for example, for some cartridge changes).
• Laser printers get hot inside. The fuser area can burn. Let the printer cool and follow the labels inside the covers.
• Don't remove screws or panels that aren't meant to be opened by users, and don't attempt electrical repairs.
• Keep ink and toner away from children and pets. If toner spills, don't use an ordinary household vacuum (fine powder can pass through it); wipe it with a damp cloth and see the safety data sheet from the manufacturer.
• Moving a printer: some ink-tank printers need their tanks locked or transport mode set to avoid leaks. Check the guide before moving or shipping one.

When to involve the manufacturer

Hardware faults, leaks, damaged parts and anything under warranty are for the manufacturer or an authorized repair service. See Finding your manufacturer's documentation.