Printer Problem

[AnneL]

The HP Laserjet 2605dn we use to print previews of photos for clients is having issues. It is currently refusing to print anything from Lightroom or Photoshop. It was printing from those 2 programs just fine 2 days ago.

So far Gary has tried uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers, running it from a different computer, and changing the printer cord with no luck. His brother, who repairs printers for a living, has been able to come up with anything. Any ideas what's going on?

 

[Jerry Ervin]

Can it do a print test page through Windows?

 

[AnneL]

I'm not sure. I know he got something to print from Publisher earlier. Closing for the day so we'll work on it in the morning.

 

[Mike Labbe]

It sounds like the issue could even be inside the printer. Does that model have indicator lights or a screen that might give a message as to why? Does the screen say "READY" ? If not, there's a detailed list of what the message indicates in the manual (link below)

If it prints the internal test page, then the printer is probably OK. To try a printer status and test page, hold the left and right arrows at the same time (on the printer).

If that didn't print.... Open up the back and close it (checking that there are no paper jams), open up the toner cartridge area and re-seat the 4 toners (are any of them low?), try printing a test page. With some printers you turn the power on as you're holding down one of the buttons to do this. Some models also have a drum assembly that has to be replaced periocally.

Here's a copy of the user's manual, which will have additional info:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00509634/c00509634.pdf

Mike

 

[AnneL]

He's says no test page. It does have indicator lights and a screen. The frustrating part is that when he tries to print, the green light flashes which means it is receiving the info but nothing happens! It just sits there flashing. No error messages, nothing.

 

[Pat Murphey]

Do laser printers from HP have the ridiculous feature in inkjets that refuses to print if a cartridge (toner?) has expired? If they do, try changing the date in Windows and see if it prints.

 

[AnneL]

Never run across that one but we print so much off this printer that we change cartridges pretty regularly. I would think old ink would be more of a problem with inkjets since it might dry up if it sits too long.

 

[Jerry Ervin]

If it can't print a self test page using the buttons and it doesn't give any kind of errors like flashing lights etc, it may be toast.

It could be taken to a PC repair shop for a quick evaluation.

Did you try putting an old cartridge in just to see how it reacted?

 

[more_so]

Turn it upside down and shake it. My Epson C88 stopped printing, turned out somehow a piece of cake had fallen into it during a party and was pressing the paper jam sensor or something like that. After a lot of fooling around I picked it up and shook it, and VIOLA! Let them eat cake.

Edit, I actually meant VOILA!

 

[AnneL]

Haven't had a chance to work on it today. If we can't get it going, we'll let Gary's brother have a look at it. Meantime, we'll us the Epson to print things out.

 

[framah]

Yeah, cake. That must be what's wrong!

The first thing I look for in my printers is cake.

(kidding!!!)

 

[more_so]

Yeah, cake. That must be what's wrong!

The first thing I look for in my printers is cake.

(kidding!!!)

You have obviously never been to my workshop.

 

[framah]

There's cake??

Where do I sign up??