GROUP 2.
PRINTERS
A device that takes digital information from a computer or other electronic devices and
transfers it onto a physical medium (paper).
Functions of Printers
Create hard copies of digital documents and images.
Translate electronic data into visible output.
Types of Printers
1. Inkjet Printers
Spray tiny droplets of ink onto paper.
Popular for home use, especially for printing photos and color documents.
2. Laser Printers
Use a laser beam to create an image on a drum, which then transfers toner onto paper.
Commonly used in offices due to their speed.
3. 3D Printers
Build three-dimensional objects layer by layer.
Using materials like plastic, resin, or metal.
They are used in various industries from prototyping to manufacturing.
Common Printer Parts and their Functions
● Paper Tray/Sheet Feeder.
Holds the stack of paper to be printed.
● Print Head
In Inkjet Printers, this part dispenses the ink onto the paper.
In Laser printers, it is part of the drum assembly.
● Ink Cartridge/Toner Cartridge.
Contain the ink (inkjet) or toner (laser) used for printing.
● Output Tray
Where the printed pages are deposited.
● Control panel
Allows users to control printer settings and functions.
● Connectors (USB, Ethernet, WiFi)
Enable the printer to connect to computers and networks.
● Paper supports and Edge Guides.
These parts help to keep the paper aligned as it is being fed into the printer.
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How they work.
Inkjet Printers.
1. The computer sends digital data to the printer.
2. The pint head moves back and forth across the paper spraying tiny droplets of ink to
form the images
3. The paper advances and the process repeats until the page is printed.
Laser printers
1. The computer sends digital data to the printer.
2. A laser beam creates an electrostatic image on a drum.
3. Toner is attached to the charged areas of the drum.
4. The toner is transferred to the paper and a fuser unit melts the toner onto the paper.
5. The printed page is then ejected.
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Common Printer Issues
1.Paper Jam
This is a frequent issue, often caused by improper paper loading, using the wrong paper type,
or dust build-up.
2.Connectivity problems
These include issues with USB connections, WiFi connectivity, and network recognition.
Driver problems can also cause connectivity issues.
3.Ink or Toner Issues
Low ink or toner levels, clogged print head (in inkjet printers), and toner smudging (in laser
printers) are common.
Using incompatible or low-quality cartridges can also cause problems.
4.Print Quality Problems
These include faded prints, streaks, blurry images, and inconsistent colors.
They can be caused by low ink/toner, misaligned print head, or dirty printer components.
5.Printer Offline
This occurs when the computer cannot communicate with the printer.
It can be caused by connection problems, driver issues or the printer being turned off.
Print Queue Problems
Print jobs can get stuck in the queue, preventing further printing.
This can be caused by software glitches or corrupted print jobs.
Driver Issues
Outdated, corrupted, or incompatible printer drivers can cause a wide range of problems.
Troubleshooting These Problems
1. Checking connections.
2. Restarting the printer and computer.
3. Updating printer drivers.
4. Cleaning the printer.
5. Checking ink/toner levels.
6. Clearing the print queue.
