How do I take proper care of my printer?

Printer care and maintenance is important to ensure your printer will last to its optimal lifespan. Here are a few tips to remember.

Clean your printer as needed: Ink and toner can be messy substances, so cleaning may be necessary every now and again. Check the inside of your printer for weekly maintenance for spills, dirt or paper dust. Remember to turn it off first and avoid touching its moving parts. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe.

Follow your printer manufacturer's recommendations and instructions when cleaning and troubleshooting. If you have any issues with your printer, it is best to first consult your printer's user manual. There are many helpful articles online, but not all of them will relate to your exact model. You can also check your printer manufacturer's website if you do not have the user manual.

Use your printer regularly. This applies to inkjet printers the most to care for it. Make sure to use your printer at least once a week to prevent ink clogs from hardening in the print heads.

Place in a right location. Avoid putting your printer in places under direct sunlight or that are moist. This can damage the printer's electronic parts. Allow air flow of at least 15 cm around your printer to avoid over-heating.

Only use printing paper and cartridges that are compatible with your printer. Using the wrong kind of paper in a printer that does not support that type can cause issues like toner spills. Know what kind of paper and cartridge models are usable before printing a particular document and replacing your cartridges.

Replace parts as needed: Printer parts like a laser printer's drum unit will need to be replaced after some time for maintenance. Most printers will notify you when it is time to replace these parts.