This article will help you with the common issues a printer might have.
Printing directly from your browser
Whenever you print directly from the Internet, the printing job results are not guaranteed to look as expected. Printing directly from the Internet can cause inconsistent results due to web developers using different methods to keep their pages updated. If these pages are not updated properly, it can cause documents to print blank or as a collection of random characters. If it is vital that your printed document looks the same as it does on the screen, it is highly recommended that you convert the document to a .pdf rather than attempt to print it directly from the Internet.
Opening a document instead of saving
When you Open a document in the web browser rather than Save it to your computer, computer-to-printer issues often result. This is because the document may not register as fully downloaded, which can sometimes cause inconsistencies with the printer. These inconsistencies usually cause the printer to print blank pages.
To resolve this issue, download the document in question and save it as a .pdf before printing.
Paper jam on campus
If the jam is easily visible and can be removed quickly and effortlessly, feel free to remove the jammed paper yourself by taking hold of it and slowly pulling it from the printer.
If you cannot see where the jam has occurred, or do not feel comfortable fixing the jam on your own, you can submit a ticket to I.T. and someone will come help you. You can also contact the I.T. Service Desk at (208) 496-1411 or through the Live Chat bubble.
Poor print quality
If your printer is printing documents too lightly, make sure that the printer you are using is stocked with the appropriate paper for your print job. You may have to locate a printer that can correctly print your job.
It is also possible that the printer is low on toner or ink. Check the screen on the printer for a notification. To get help replacing the cartridges, you can submit a ticket to I.T. and someone will come help you. You can also contact the I.T. Service Desk at (208) 496-1411 or through the Live Chat bubble
Printer took my money but didn't print
Check your Pharos account. If the print job is still uploaded to Pharos, it may be an issue with Pharos not releasing it. If the print job released from Pharos but nothing printed, then it is likely an issue with the printer.
If it's likely an issue with your Pharos account, contact the I.T. Service Desk at (208) 496-1411 or through their Live Chat function.
If it's likely an issue with the printer, try another printer on campus and let the I.T. Service Desk know that that printer is having issues.
You can make a request for Printer Support through this form.
Printer out of paper
To request more paper for this printer, contact the I.T. Service Desk at (208) 496-1411 or through their Live Chat function. They will be able to service the printer.
Print job failed to print
If you you try to print a document and nothing happens or you get an error that the document could not be printed, follow the steps below.
Word and Powerpoint files
A Tip for more successful printing of Word (doc or docx files) and PowerPoint (pptx) files:
- Print the Word document or PowerPoint file as a PDF.
- Under "printer" choose "PDF"
- Then, open the PDF using a web browser (such as Chrome or Edge) .
- Select the print option. Then under "destination" choose "PDF" to re-save the file as another new PDF file.
- Submit the newest PDF file for printing.
While the print system can print Word and PowerPoint files, the content embedded in a Word or PowerPoint file (especially PowerPoint files) can cause issues with printing. Therefore, outputting the Word or PowerPoint file as a PDF reduces the embedded content to actual document size, then the second PDF generation (using a web browser) has the effect of "flattening" the file, reducing the file's internal complexity and making it more 'print friendly' without losing the quality of print.
More Complex PDF Files
A Tip for more successful printing of 'more complex' PDF files:
- Open the PDF using a web browser (such as Chrome or Edge)
- Select the print option. Then under "destination" choose "PDF" to re-save the file as another new PDF file.
- Submit the newest PDF file for printing.
Many PDF files (especially forms like tax forms, documents with a lot of legalese, or multiple embedded images) will have a fair amount of embedded content in the document that has not been suitably prepared for printing, resulting in files that either take a very long time to print each page or may not print at all. By using a web browser to 'print' as a new PDF, the output is more "flattened" and the internal content is no longer as complex as only the content that is viewable remains, thus making a file that is more 'print friendly' without losing the quality of print.
Contact Us
If you still need help, call us at (208) 496-9009 or start a Live Chat with us.
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