Five Tips to Make Your Printer Last Longer

Today's technology and manufacturers' marketing savvy have made printers, especially inkjet printers, indispensible in any home office. Over the years, these printers have transformed into lightweight, durable, quick and efficient equipment. Many models even serve multiple functions, from fax machine to copier and scanner.

Despite the versatility of printers these days, one thing still does not change about them and that is the fact that they are still fragile tools that must be handled carefully. Sure, these machines have become so cheap in recent years that many of us would not bat an eyelash at the thought of buying a new one just because the old one broke down. However, it is unseemly to be wasteful, especially in the light of the current global economic crisis and especially when there are ways to make the life of your printer last longer.

In fact, here are five tips to extend the life of your printer so you can enjoy its use for years to come.

1. Clean your machine regularly. There are two advantages that you can get from a printer that is clean inside and out. First is that you can have less incidences of paper jams if your machine is clean. Second is that you will continue to have pristine prints whenever you use your printer. So, wipe the insides and the outside of your machine at least once a month with a lint-free cloth.

2. Always remember that your printer is fragile. Your machine may look like it is solid through and through, but what you may not be aware of is that it has little screws and nuts and bolts and other parts inside that are easily damaged when rattled.

3. Avoid paper jams. Paper jams are just one of the leading causes of printers bogging down. You can actually avoid paper jams by replacing the rollers in your printer when they start to look shiny and worn down, and by not fanning the sheaf of paper that you will put in the paper feed tray.

4. Avoid grounding and static electricity. Static electricity is another cause of printer damage. It also hurts to touch anything that is grounded. So, make sure that the wiring on your machine is safe and properly installed. Again, do not fan the paper that you will put in the feeding tray because it also contributes to static electricity.

5. Get a hold of the user manual. Printers always come with a user manual prepared by its manufacturer. However, it is always likely to be misplaced. In case you do misplace it, buy a replacement copy or download it for free from a reliable source. Having the user manual around is always useful whenever your printer displays a printer error message or bogs down out of the blue.

Whatever kind of printer you have, whether it is a laser printer or an inkjet printer, it is always good to take care of your machine. Taking good care of it will make your machine last you a very long time and save you money.

John C Arkin