Read the instructions that came with the printer or check the printer manufacturer’s website for instructions about how to do this. Many printers have a menu option to test the printer’s wireless connectivity. Run the printer’s wireless connectivity test. To learn where this button is located on your printer and to find instructions about how to turn it on, see the instructions that came with the printer or check the manufacturer's website for instructions. Many printers have a button that displays a blue wireless icon when a wireless connection option for the printer is available. Make sure the printer’s wireless option is turned on and available. While you may not see it, the printer is sensitive enough to know it is there and will not work until it is cleared away.Check the cables (for wired printers). Make sure that the printer's USB cable is properly connected from the printer to your PC. If your USB isn’t recognized, see Automatically diagnose and fix Windows USB problems.Ĭheck the wireless connection (for wireless printers). Sometimes when you are removing paper after a paper jam, a small bit of paper remains. Open up the printer to check for problems like a paper jam or the remains of a paper jam. Check to see if the printer lights are green and there are no blinking lights indicating a problem. Loose connections can cause printer errors since the printer is not getting all the information it needs to print your document.

Check to be sure the printer is turned on and the cable between the printer and computer is plugged in.

While printer problems can be frustrating, you also might want to check a few things in addition to the printer test before chucking the printer under your car. You also run it when your printer is prints out odd black marks, black lines, smudges or continually jams.

One of the main reasons you run printer self-tests is to check to see why the printer is not printing a page.

Laser test print