Like anything else in life, if you take care of your printer, it will last longer. Many people are unaware that there is routine maintenance that needs to be done on your printer in order to maintain optimal use. Did you know the average life of a home printer is 2-3 years? That can easily be extended another year or two if you take proper care of it. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Clean your printer heads

Printer heads tend to get clogged, and need to be cleaned. Many printers will have an “auto clean” option, but can be cleaned manually, as well. Be sure to check the manual before you do this. Also, don’t clean the printer heads too much, as some ink is used in the cleaning process.

Keep the dust away

It’s easy to overlook the dust and debris that build up inside your printer, but removing it is crucial to your printer’s well being. If you start seeing streaks on your paper, and your ink cartridge is full, this is most likely the issue. Try using a canned air duster to get the best results!

Purchase a maintenance kit

A maintenance kit is a great investment if you want to get the most out of your printer. Most times, you can contact the printer’s manufacturer to inquire about one. They typically come with cleaning supplies and extra printer parts such as rollers.

Be cautious when resolving mechanical errors

Always check the manual before resolving any errors. Even something as simple as a paper jam should be treated with care. If you are not cautious, you could be causing more internal problems or damages that will ultimately lead to your printer’s demise. For instance, when dealing with a paper jam, be sure to use both hands to gently pull the paper out. This will ensure that no little pieces of paper are going to be stuck in there, and also that no internal parts are damaged.A printer is a tool and no one wants to have to buy one every couple years. There are many ways you can preserve your printer, in turn saving you hundreds of dollars! I don’t know about you, but saving money to me is always a good thing. Keep your printer clean, and you will get the longest, best use out of your home or office printer. 

Be sure to check out www.Macroenter.com for all of your printer paper,ink and maintenance needs.