Scanner and printer computer maintenance can be among the most annoying of all computer maintenance tasks. Not only do you often need to get your hands dirty, but each different device requires different computer maintenance. The first step is to make sure your scanner printer is installed correctly. After that, it is now time to see a few simple things you can do to make your life easier.
The Absolute First Computer Maintenance You Should Do
Right now, before you do anything else—even before you continue reading this article—stop and make a reference printout and reference scan.
I’ll tell you how to make these reference documents in a moment—first let me tell you why you need to make them.
A year or two from now, you may start to think that your device isn’t working as well as it used to. Your scans aren’t as crisp; your printouts don’t have the right colors. When that happens you’re going to need a reference document for comparison to see if quality really has gone down or if you’re just imagining things.
To create a reference printout, use the sample sheet your printer probably prints automatically when you press a particular button. (Consult your manual if you don’t know what button to press.) Or, and I prefer this option, print out a nice photo of a family member such as the baby in the family. Save this printout in a climate-controlled location such as your file cabinet.
To create a reference scan, scan a colorful document or photo. You can even scan your reference printout. Save the resulting file somewhere on your computer where you can find it again. Also save the document you scanned so that you can re-scan it later.
Computer Maintenance With Reference Documents
If you reprint or rescan your reference document and identify problems, then it’s time to perform actual computer maintenance on your printer or scanner.
Scanner maintenance is usually the more difficult—cheap scanners have few or no user-serviceable parts except the glass document bed which you can usually clean with ordinary glass cleaner. (If the surface is plastic, check your manual to make sure glass cleaner is ok—otherwise you could ruin the plastic.)
For this reason, I highly recommend buying a scanner that isn’t part of your printer. Multi-function devices are convenient and they save space, but when one device fails you either have to replace both devices or use even more space for the partial replacement. Of course most come together now so you might not have much choice.
Computer Maintenance For Printers
Many printers, even some of the ultra-cheap ones, can be maintained at home. The basic maintenance is simply replacing the ink or toner—I assume you know how to do this; if not, consult your user manual.
There are other parts in your printer which can be replaced. Every printer is different, so I don’t know what parts are in your printer, but your print manual probably lists them. The manual probably also tells you how often they should be replaced.
For best performance, you should replace printer parts when your manual says to replace them—but I’ll tell you a little secret: printer manufactures want you to buy replacement parts. It means more money for them. So if you think you can delay buying a new part, I suggest you do so. Instead of buying the unnecessary part, buy yourself a treat instead.
This is another reason I highly recommend using quality reference printouts—you can use a printout comparison to see if your printer is still performing well. If it is, then there’s probably no reason to waste computer maintenance time and money replacing still-useful parts.
Performing regular computer maintenance is something that everyday computer users often neglect. I have had thousands of customers that do not perform any computer maintenance and sometimes wait until they see a black screen with a blinking cursor , before they finally realize that looking after your computer is IMPORTANT! This goes for your external hardware and peripherals connected to your computer. My name is Mitz Pantic and I’ve been working with computers for over 25 years and love to teach people how to use their computers. Be sure to visit me at my computer tips website and say hello in the comments section. Also do not forget to sign-up for my free computer tips newsletter and receive a free 59 page Computer Terms Dictionary!
If you have any tips for computer or printer maintenance please share them with us by leaving your comment below.
Hi guys! I am a computer freak who is obsessed with computer tips, building websites, money making. Finger in every pie, love working, addicted to caffeine. Multi multi tasker, likes juggling ten jobs, should have joined the circus. Ha Ha!
Nice sharing of post I really appreciate it..
Cynthia’s recent post ..Hot Tub Services
Twitter: AmandaBlogger
says:
I have already had a great number of different problems with my printer, its colors were not the ones I wanted. But then I bought HP printer, and now I’m quite satisfied with it
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Twitter: tips4pc
says:
I have problems with my printer too.. Now I have my daughter in charge of that and I take care of the computers!
Mitz’s recent post ..Stop Spam Emails Today
My advice is to always use original ink tanks with printers. Although they are more expensive, they make your printer last longer.
original ink tanks are best, I agree but the problem is that they are soo expensive! After you go through about 3 replacements, it usually exceeds the amount that you paid for your printer.
liz’s recent post ..Diamonds For Beginners – 8 Steps to Buy Your 1st Diamond
Twitter: tips4pc
says:
Very good advice there Dan. I tried the generic brand one day and got ink everywhere! I never did that again! Also you are right about them lasting longer. There is also a big difference in the quality.
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Twitter: zaldy100
says:
Currently I am using a cannon printer but the colors is not really good, When I print the color is not really good, it looks like a black and white colored.
Thank you for sharing, its really nice article
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Twitter: shergillgames
says:
I had a difficult time recently trying to get a Windows 7 netbook to connect to a decade old printer hooked up to a print server, because of driver issues. I got that sorted out, but sometimes I think the best maintenance for an old printer is a baseball bat, Office Space style!
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Twitter: tips4pc
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Yes and the price of new printers has come down now so sometimes it is not worth trying to connect and old printer.
Mitz’s recent post ..External Hard Drive Buying Guide
Twitter: gusmiles
says:
Great article. It’s interesting the people I run across that think printers are just an annual purchase, a 1-yr appreciable item. Granted, pending your budget, you can get a good printer for the money, but never underestimate the power of unproductive time when the printer was really needed.
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Twitter: WindowsTalk
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Thanks for your comments, Gus. I am still using a network Brother all-in-one that I bought a looong time ago. My printing and faxing needs are fairly minimal, so this unit will be with me for some time yet.
Hi…I hope I can share this to my friends…Great post here!!
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It is quite difficult to choose which is the most reliable brand when it comes to printer and scanner. However, with the help of the information that you have stated here, I am sure many will be able to know how they can maintain a high and good quality scanner and printer. This will really provide great profits.
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Twitter: tips4pc
says:
Yes I have tried many! At the moment we have a Cannon Pixma and it is great but the ink costs too much money… That is really annoying me.
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Twitter: techsparx1
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hello
very nice tips to maintain scanner and computer thnx for this nice and share post
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Glad you like it Vishvast!
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These is an extra ideas for us to maintain our scanner and printer computer been better.
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Twitter: Xboxpcpro
says:
Good post ! Great idea about making reference documents to compare later on down the line – never thought of that thanks!
Twitter: tips4pc
says:
I know its a bit crazy but it does help when you are trying to get it right.
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Twitter: Janis167
says:
Maintenance is the most boring part of computer sceince
Twitter: tips4pc
says:
You are right but I like it when my computer runs smoothly and computer maintenance helps me do that!
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Great article, thanks for writing. Full of useful tips, but I think the biggest takeaway is the fact that computer maintenance is important. For most people, myself included, it’s hard to perform maintenance when everything appears to be fine. Then everything breaks and it’s too late. This is a horrible feeling, trust me lol. Most of the time this tragedy can be avoided with simple regular maintenance, just like you said!
~Sam
Thanks for this useful and helpful tips. We must know how to maintain our computer even just a little. This is very essential to all computer owners.
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