How to Troubleshoot an HP Officejet 4500 (5 Steps)

Check both ends of the power cord and the printer's USB cable to make sure they are securely plugged in. Plug the power cord directly into a power outlet instead of a surge protector or backup battery. Plug the USB cable into the computer and not a USB hub or other device.
Check the Officejet 4500's power light to see if it is illuminated solidly or is blinking. Wait for the light to stop blinking if you installed a new print cartridge in the previous 12 minutes, giving the printer time to initialize the new cartridge.
Unplug the power cord, open the printer's covers and remove the paper from the input and output trays if the power light continues to blink. Pull out any stuck pieces of paper from the inside of the printer and gently slide the cartridge carriage to the left and right sides of the printer, removing any debris that obstructs its movement.
Use the software application you used to send the print request to make sure the Officejet 4500 is set as the default printer. Click the 'File' menu at the top of the window, then click 'Print' and make sure the Officejet 4500 is selected in the pull-down menu at the top of the print window. Select the printer from the menu if it is not the default, then click the 'Print' button to try printing again.
Right-click the small printer icon on the right side of the task bar, then see if a check mark appears next to 'Pause Printing.' Click 'Pause Printing' if you see a check mark, resuming the pending print jobs. Close any other applications that are open on the printer to eliminate potential conflicts.

How to Use an HP F 2430 Printer Scanner

Place the media you wish to print on face-down in the printer's input tray, sliding it into the printer until you feel resistance. Slide the width guide on the left of the media over until it touches the edge of the stack of media.
Open the document you wish to print using your preferred software application on the attached computer. Click the 'File' option at the top of the window, then click 'Print.'
Click the drop-down menu at the top of the print window and click the F2430 in the list. Click the 'Properties' button to make changes to the printer's settings. Click the 'OK' button to save any changes you make and then click the 'Print' button to process the print job.



Lift up on the printer's top cover to expose the scanning glass. Place the original document face-down on the scanning glass, positioning the upper-left corner of the document in the front-right corner of the scanning glass.
Close the printer's cover gently so you do not disturb the position of the document. Click the 'Start' or windows button on the computer's task bar and then click 'Programs' or 'All Programs.'
Hover the mouse over the 'HP' folder and click the 'HP Photosmart Software' icon. Click the 'Scan' button in the software's window and wait for the scanned document to be sent to the software window. Click the 'Finish' button to finalize the scan. Click in the window on the computer's hard drive where you wish to save the scanned file.

How to Share a Printer With a VirtualBox

Click the 'Start' button in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Click 'Control Panel.'
Double-click 'Devices and Printers.'
Right-click the printer to be shared, then click the 'Sharing' tab.
Click 'Change Sharing Options.'
Click to check the 'Share this printer' box, then click 'OK.'
Connect to the shared printer from the VirtualBox virtual machine. For example, use the operating system's Control Panel to add the shared printer. This steps may vary, depending on the guest operating system running in the VirtualBox virtual machine.

How to Fix an HP Color Laser Printer Alignment Problem

Double-click the HP printer icon in the system tray at the lower right end of your desktop. Navigate to the 'Toolbox' tab.
Click on the 'Status' link on the left side of the window. Scroll through the 'Status' menu and click on the 'Print Info Pages' link.
Click the blue 'Print' button located to the right of the 'Configuration Page' heading. Check the print page to see if the 'L' shaped bars are overlapping or bleed into each other.
Contact HP directly for a repair or replacement if the 'L' bars do not have any overlap, as that will indicate an extensive mechanical problem that can't be fixed through troubleshooting.
Return to the 'Toolbax' tab if the color bars are overlapping. Click on the model number of your HP color laser printer at the upper left end of the window. Click on the 'Device Settings' link.
Choose the 'Print Quality' option and then click on the 'Calibrate' button on the right side of the window. Click 'OK' in the new window that appears and wait for the alignment calibration process to finish.
Attempt to print a document again and see if the alignment is still off. If the alignment is not correct, repeat the calibrating, since the HP color laser printer may need to be calibrated more than once to fix the alignment.

How to Scan Documents With an Epson Printer

Place the original document you want to scan on the printer's automatic document feeder. (This is the clear surface under the printer's hardware cover.)
Open the Epson Printer portal on your computer. (Epson installs a print setup module on your computer with the installation of the device's software drivers.)
Click the drop-down bar below the 'Mode' setting to select what type of document scan you want to conduct.
Choose a scanning mode based on the three options available for Epson printers. (See Tips for scan mode suggestions.)
Click the radio button next to the color mode you want for the document. Three options, 'Color,' 'GrayScale,' and 'Black and White' will be available.
Select the ADF action to indicate the document is placed in the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for scanning. This will direct the printer to the document.
Click the drop-down bar below the 'Scanning Resolution' settings and select the resolution that best fits your particular document.
Click on the 'Scan' at the bottom of the scan settings to send the action to the Epson printer. The scanned document will appear in a new preview window on your computer screen once the scan is complete.

How to Receive a Fax on a Multi

Connect the multi-function printer to a phone line. Most printers with fax capability have more than one phone jack, so make sure you are plugged into the right one.
Turn the printer on and access the start-up menu. Pick an answering mode based on your expected usage of the fax capabilities of your machine (see the next steps for more information about this).
Put the printer in manual mode if you expect little fax traffic. The manual mode usually requires you to pick up every call that comes to the machine. If you hear the signal for a fax, you push the start button and hang up.
Choose the automatic mode if you expect a lot of faxes or have a dedicated fax line. In automatic mode, the printer listens to incoming calls and determines whether they are faxes or voice calls. Voice calls get sent on to your phone, and faxes are picked up by the printer.
Select the number of rings you want your multi-function printer to give you before dropping a call. If you are using the manual mode you may want to go with four or more rings. Two rings should be sufficient in the automatic mode.
Load paper into the paper tray. Check on the paper level frequently if you receive a lot of faxes.
Set the desired print quality, and you are ready to receive faxes.

How to Stop Low Toner Message HP Laser Printer

Press the 'Menu' button on the printer. Choose 'Configuration' from the menu.
Scroll through the 'Configuration' menu until you see the 'Toner Low' setting. Change that setting to 'Toner Low=Continue.'
Click 'Select' to accept the new setting, then send a test page to the printer Remove the toner cartridge, shake it to redistribute the toner, then put the cartridge back in the printer. Depending on the amount of toner remaining, this could give you an extra day to an extra week or more of printing.

How to Create a Custom Paper Size for My Printer

Click 'File' then 'Print' in your program. Choose the printer from the dialog drop-down list and click 'Properties.' You can also access printer properties from the 'Start' menu. Select 'Control Panel,' click 'Printers and Settings,' right-click the printer that you want to use, then select 'Printing Preferences.'
Select the 'Paper,' 'Size' or similar tab on the printer properties dialog box. Click 'Custom' or the similar option under the 'Size' section.
Type in the paper width and height in inches. Take note of the maximum size, which you may see displayed underneath each entry box. Name the custom size setting, if that is an option, then click 'OK.'
View the new size setting under the printer 'Size' section then click 'OK' to close the printing properties dialog box.
Open the printer tray as large as it will go and place your blank sheet of paper inside. Adjust the tray as needed so it fits snugly. Print your document as usual.

How to Bypass Low Ink in a Brother Printer

Cover the 'spine' part of the LC41 cartridge with a small piece of electrical tape.
Place the cartridge back into the printer.
Power off the printer and turn it back on to reset it. You should no longer receive an error message.



Cover the square-shaped hole in the bottom of the LC51 cartridge with black electrical tape.
Place it back into the printer.
Power off the printer and turn it back on to reset it. You should no longer receive an error message.



Cover the tiny 'eye holes' on a toner cartridge with black electrical tape.
Place it back into the printer.
Power off the printer and turn it back on to reset it. You should no longer receive an error message.

How to Connect a USB Printer to Parallel Port

Shut down the computer and turn off the power.
Connect the parallel-to-USB conversion adapter to the LPT (parallel) printer port on the computer. Use the screwdriver to tighten the retaining screws on both sides of the port connector (or use your fingers if they are thumbscrews).
Connect the AC adapter for the conversion adapter to the power input and then plug the other end into an electrical wall socket. If the parallel-to-USB adapter draws its power from the keyboard, remove the keyboard connector from the computer and plug it into female socket of the 'Y' adapter that leads from the adapter. Plug the male end of the adapter cable into the keyboard connector slot on your computer.
Plug the flat end of the USB cable into the open female slot on the conversion adapter. Plug the other end of the cable into the printer.
Refer to the printer manufacturer's installation instructions for setting up the new USB printer and installing any needed software.

How to Stop HP Printer Pop

Click on 'Start,' and then 'Control Panel.' Select 'Printers and Faxes' from the list.
Select the 'File' menu and then 'Server Properties.' Click on the 'Advanced' tab, and then uncheck the option for 'Notify when remote documents are printed.' Select 'Ok' to save the changes you made.
Make sure that you are logged in as 'Administrator' before you can continue disabling the 'HP Solution Updates.' When you are sure that you are logged in as 'Administrator,' click 'Start' and then 'All Programs.' Look for 'HP Product Assistant.'
Select 'View Events' to find out the current error messages being displayed. Click on the error message, and then under 'If this event happens again...,' select 'Don't notify me again.'
Install HP updates whenever they become available so the program does remind you to install updates every now and then. Click 'Start,' All Programs' and 'HP Software Update.' Select your HP product from the list shown and then the operating system your are using. Click on 'Full Feature Software and Drivers,' follow other on-screen instructions and wait for the update to complete. Reboot if necessary.
Uninstall the 'HP Product Assistant' feature from your computer to completely get rid of the HP updates. Load your 'Control Panel,' and then select 'Add or Remove Programs.' Select 'HP Software Tool,' HP Update Tool' or something similar and then 'Uninstall.'

How to Print a Self Test Report on a Printer

Plug the printer into a working electrical outlet. Ensure the printer is turned to ��On.��
Select several sheets of clean, white printer paper. Tap the paper stack on a hard, flat surface to align the edges. Check the paper for rips, curls, wrinkles or bent edges. Remove and discard any unsatisfactory pages. Insert the stack of paper into the input tray, short edge forward. Slide the stack forward until it stops. Do not force the stack beyond its initial stopping point.
Locate the control panel on the front of the printer. Press the Setup Button located on the bottom center of the control panel, beneath the LED readout. Press 2 to select ��Print Reports,�� then press 6 to select ��Self-Test Report�� on the number keypad on the control panel located to the left of the Setup Button.
Examine the resulting self-test page that prints. There should be lines extending all the way across the page in black, yellow, cyan and magenta. A missing black line indicates a problem with the black or photo cartridge. Faded, streaked or missing lines in the other colors indicates a problem with the color ink cartridge.

How to Fix the Dreaded 'Waste Tank Filled' Error Message for Your Canon Printer

With the printer power turned off, while pressing the Resume/Cancel button, press and hold the Power button. (DO NOT release the buttons. The LED lights in green to indicate that a function is selectable.)
While holding the Power button, release the Resume/Cancel button. (DO NOT release the Power button.)
While holding the Power button, press the Resume/Cancel button 2 times, and then release both the Power and Resume/Cancel buttons. (Each time the Resume/Cancel button is pressed, the LED lights alternately in orange and green, starting with orange.)
When the LED lights in green, press the Resume/Cancel button 4 times - Waste ink counter resetting. (Each time the Resume/Cancel button is pressed, the LED lights alternately in orange and green, starting with orange.)
After the function (menu) is selected, press the Power button. The LED lights in green, and the selected function is performed. (When the operation completes, the printer returns to the menu selection mode automatically.)
If the printer is now off, the process is finished, otherwise press the Power button one more time to set the function and to shut down the printer.

How to Manually Clean a Canon Inkjet Cartridge

Remove the ink cartridge. For most printers, you simply pop the top of the printer off, wait for the ink cartridges to move into place, and then remove them from the printer. Consult the user manual of your printer if you are having problems performing this step.
Locate the contacts on the ink cartridge. They are generally on the back of the ink cartridge and tend to be copper or gold colored. Use a dry cleansing cloth and remove any residue from the contacts.
Wipe the rest of the ink cartridge off. Use a dry cleansing cloth to remove any dirt or spots on the ink cartridge.
Clean your cartridge's print head. Use a cleansing cloth with a little bit of rubbing alcohol. Wipe the print head from top to bottom and allow drying. Do this prior to the reinstallation of your cleaned ink cartridge.
Reinstall your ink cartridge. Once you have finished cleaning both the cartridge and the print head, reinstall your cartridge. Consult your printer manual if you have any troubles reinstalling your ink cartridge.

How to Share the Scanner From Multifuntion Printers

Connect your multifunction printer from the Ethernet port on the printer to your network router.
Insert the multifunction printer's driver CD into the drive of each networked computer that you want to be able to access the scanner.
Install the driver software and select the 'Network' option when the install program prompts you for the connection type. The driver software will automatically find the location of the multifunction printer and set the software to use that location.
Use the multifunction software that is installed on the computer to scan an image from the multifunction device. You are now connected to the scanner from across the network.



Connect your multifunction printer to the primary computer or server on the network with a USB cable.
Insert the driver CD that came with the printer into the drive on the computer that the printer is connected to and install the software. Select 'USB Connection' when prompted to select the connection type.
Use the newly installed multifunction printer software to scan an image and make sure the scanner is working correctly on the computer to which the printer is directly hooked.
Install the third-party software to allow your scanner to be accessed over the network. Popular options include RemoteScan, Blindscanner and the freeware software SaneTwain (see Resources).
Install the multifunction printer driver CD and third-party scanner-sharing software on each PC that you want to be able to have access to the scanner. Use the scanning software installed by the driver disc to scan an image and make sure it works correctly over the network.

How to Enable Bidirectional Communication on a Dell Printer

Log on to your computer, and click the 'Start' button. Choose 'Control Panel' from the list.
Double-click the 'Printers and Faxes' icon, and select your Dell printer from the list. Right-click the Dell printer, and choose 'Properties.'
Click 'Ports,' and check the box titled 'Enable Bidirectional Support.' Click 'OK' to confirm your setting.

How to Take a Printer Offline (7 Steps)

Click the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of your desktop, and then click 'Devices and Printers.'
Right-click the printer you want to disable, and then click 'Printer Properties.'
Click 'Sharing' and uncheck the box next to 'Share this printer.'
Click 'OK' to save the settings.



Click the Apple menu, and then click 'System Preferences.'
Click 'Print & Fax' in the System Preferences window.
Click the printer's name in the side menu of the Print & Fax window, and then uncheck the box next to 'Share this printer on the network.'

How to Fix Streaking and Lines on a Laser Color Printer

Power on the printer and open the toner cartridge cover. Lift the first toner cartridge out and set it aside.
Use the vacuum cleaner to remove toner residue from under the toner cartridge. This residue tends to accumulate under the cartridge, and it can cause streaks, lines and uneven coloration as the paper moves through the paper path.
Clean the area thoroughly with a soft cloth to remove any remaining paper dust and toner residue. Make sure the area is completely clean before moving on to the next area.
Rotate the toner cartridge carrier to the left and remove the next cartridge. The exact procedure for rotating the cartridge carrier varies from model to model, so consult your owner's manual. Many color printers use a button on the menu to advance each toner cartridge.
Clean the area under each remaining toner cartridge thoroughly, using first the vacuum cleaner and then the cloth. Continue cleaning the interior of the printer until no more toner residue is found.
Wipe each toner cartridge thoroughly before putting it back in the printer. Toner residue and paper dust tend to accumulate on top of the cartridge, and that residue will find its way on to the printouts. Replace any toner cartridges that appear to be leaking. A leaking toner cartridge can contaminate the entire paper path, and this problem is very difficult to resolve without a professional service technician.

How to Set Up a Canon Wireless Printer

Power on your Canon wireless printer after you have removed it from the packaging. Insert the ink cartridges when prompted on the screen. Your first printer ink cartridges are included. If you have a computer already connected to a desktop or Windows XP, skip to step 7.
Print and scan the alignment sheet as prompted on the printer screen. Press OK when done.
Insert the setup CD even if you are connecting your Canon printer via wireless network. There are printer drivers created for wireless networks on this CD.
Follow the CD setup instructions on the screen. Have the printer find the actual wi-fi network signal that you will be using and select that on the printer screen and on your computer. The wi-fi light will be on when the network is connected.
Print a test page from your computer when everything is completed on the screen and if you are prompted by the Canon setup CD to do so.
Go into printers and ensure Canon is set as your default printer. This will ensure all software will use this as your primary printer. There will be a check mark next to it.
Go into printer setup and search for a printer connected via network on your computer. This may take a few minutes. You must enable printer and file sharing on both computers before you will be able to view a USB connected printer on a network.
Select use this printer when it finds your printer. Make sure it is set to be the default printer and print a test page.

How to Install HP C4180 Ink Cartridges

Turn on your HP Photosmart C4180 all-In-one printer. Grasp the print cartridge door at the front of the printer and flip it down toward you until it lies against the flat table or desktop.
Push down on the label on top of the used cartridge (if applicable) until the cartridge unsnaps from the print carriage. Slide and pull the cartridge from the print carriage and set it aside to dispose of later.
Remove the new ink cartridge from its packaging. While holding the cartridge by its black plastic sides, remove the pink tab and attached tape covering the copper-colored contacts and end of the cartridge by gripping the tab and pulling on it gently.
Install the new cartridge--with the label facing up--by sliding it into its corresponding slot inside the print carriage and then pushing until it snaps into place. The black or photo cartridge goes into the slot on the right marked with a black and orange label. The tri-color cartridge goes into the slot on the left marked with a green label.
Lift and close the front print cartridge access door and print a test page to confirm that the cartridges are seated correctly and that everything is working correctly.