How to Reset Printer

Printers can be annoying, especially when they start acting out and you find it’s giving you faint printing. In addition, you have no idea how to reset a high-performing printer. Your spoon is left in a pickle. Let’s face it, printing has never been enjoyable, especially when it’s bulk work. At times, it gets annoyingly redundant standing there watching paper gush out of the feeder again and again. For another tip on using your printer, you can read our guide on how to send a fax from an all-in-one printer.

Modern printers are made for the user’s convenience, like wireless connectivity. And if you are new to them, we have a guide on how to connect a wireless printer to help you out. They hardly present any problems and don’t need a lot of input from the user. But like any other technical equipment, users may encounter problems. So, what do you do when a paper jam doesn’t clear after carefully getting out the stuck paper or trying to clear a queue?

At this point, you may need to perform a printer reset. The reset process may be a little different if you have a 3D printer, like the one in our Monoprice Voxel review.

Why do I need to Reset my Printer?

If you cannot print on your printer after trying all laid-out solutions, resetting your system could help. It is essential to note that a printer reset will delete all printers from your printer list, clear all completed and queued print jobs, and delete all stored printer presets.

This feature is common, especially when users want to clear a queue, jam, or solve different troubleshooting options. It’s also important to note that some manufacturers have installed a printer button on their devices that don’t have a laid-out process to reset the printer.

Resetting your Printer

If you are experiencing connectivity or troubleshooting issues that you can’t resolve, resetting your printer settings may just help you get back and running again. It is also a great way to prevent users’ personal information, like security settings and passwords, from being accessed by third parties. Additionally, if you are using a wireless printer, you should learn what WAP/WEP is on a printer. After resetting your printer, you can also reset your printer cartridge and prevent ink waste, thus saving money on ink replacement costs.

To successfully reset your printer, do the following:

1. First, turn your printer off. Disconnect the printer’s cable from the mains for about 30 seconds before reconnecting it back to power.
2. Next, turn on your printer while you press and hold the “Resume button for about 10 to 20 seconds. You will notice the printer’s “Attention” button light up.
3. Release the “Resume” button. The printer’s “Attention” and “Ready” lights will begin to cycle. At this point, your printer is restoring its factory defaults.

How to Hard Reset your Printer

Hard resetting your printer is relatively easy. Do the following;

1. Before you begin the reset process, check to make sure your printer cartridge is still installed. Turn off the printer and remove the cord from its power source. Remember, the reset process won’t initiate without the cartridge or removing the device from power.
2. Next, wait for about a minute, plug your printer back into the mains, and turn it on. Wait a few seconds for the printer cartridge to center, and then try to print again.

It’s important to note that resetting your printer returns its settings to factory defaults. This process will not reset most printers’ page count, language, or tray size. If you are still experiencing issues resetting your printer, check your printer’s owner manual for specific instructions for your device. These reset instructions will also work with even the best small printer. However, if this reset process does not work, it’s time to do some printer repairs at home, like cleaning the printer head.

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