Printers are one of those office essentials that we take for granted, until they stop working! But did you know that with just a little regular maintenance, you can extend your printer’s life, avoid costly repairs, and ensure high-quality prints every time?
At Cartridge World Cyprus, we’ve seen firsthand how simple upkeep can prevent major printer headaches. Here’s your go-to DIY printer maintenance guide to keep your machine running smoothly.
Clean Your Printer Regularly
Why? Dust, ink residue, and paper debris can clog nozzles and cause streaky prints.
How to Clean Your Printer:
- Exterior: Wipe it down with a microfiber cloth to remove dust.
- Inside: Use a small vacuum or compressed air to clear paper dust.
Pro Tip: Avoid using rough tissues or cotton swabs, as they can leave fibers behind!
Use Your Printer Regularly
Why? Inkjet printers dry up if left unused for weeks.
How to Prevent Dried Ink:
- Print something or a test page at least once a week.
- If you don’t print often, switch to a laser printer, which uses toner instead of liquid ink and doesn’t dry out.
- Considering the Cyprus climate, it’s best to avoid direct sunlight and heat.
Choose High-Quality Ink & Toner
Why? Cheap ink can clog your nozzles and cause poor print quality.
What to Do:
- Buy from trusted providers (like Cartridge World Cyprus) who carefully match their refill ink to the OEM (original equipment manufacturer).
- Use remanufactured cartridges instead of quick refilled alternatives.
Pro Tip: Never mix different brands of ink, as this can cause clogging.
Avoid Paper Jams with the Right Paper
Why? Incorrect paper type and storage can lead to frustrating jams.
How to Prevent Paper Jams:
- Store paper in a dry place to avoid moisture damage.
- Fan out paper before loading it to prevent sheets from sticking.
- Use a decent quality paper, the cheap ones are filled with chalk to enhance brightness and this rubs off on paper feed rollers and becomes dust inside.
Keep Your Printer Software Updated
Be cautious on this subject, as on Ink printers we issue instructions to TURN OFF Automatic updates. Why? The OEM sends ‘Firmware Updates’ without warning to printers connected indirectly to the internet, in the pretence that it is needed, but really is a covert attempt to close-out non-OEM cartridges. Refer to our Blog page for more details.
How to turn off Updates:
- On buying a CW remanufactured cartridge, we provide step by step instructions
Turn Off Your Printer Properly
Why? Simply unplugging it can lead to mechanical issues.
How to Shut Down Correctly:
- Use the printer’s power button instead of unplugging it.
- Give it a few seconds to complete shutdown before turning off the main power source.
Bonus: When to Call a Pro
If your printer still has issues despite regular maintenance, it might need professional servicing.
Cartridge World Cyprus offers printer servicing, ink refills, and troubleshooting to keep your printer in top shape! No-FIX No-FEE
Need help? Visit our store or contact us today! – 777 777 85
