How-to guides
Step-by-step instructions for the everyday printer jobs: scanning, cleaning, updating and setting things up the right way.
Everyday tasks
- How to print a test pagePrint a test page from the printer itself or from Windows or macOS, and use the result to tell a printer fault from a computer or connection problem.
- How to print double-sidedPrint on both sides of the page from Windows, a Mac, Word, PDF readers and phones, using automatic or manual duplex and the right flip edge.
- How to print borderless photosPrint edge-to-edge photos from Windows, a Mac or a phone: pick a supported size and photo paper, turn on borderless and control how much is cropped.
- How to set or change your default printerSet the default printer on Windows 11, Windows 10, macOS or a Chromebook, and stop Windows from changing your default printer by itself.
- How to find your printer's IP addressFind your printer's IP address from its screen, a network configuration page, Windows, macOS or your router's list of connected devices.
- How to share a printer on your home networkShare a USB printer from one Windows PC or Mac so other computers on the same home or office network can print to it.
- How to check ink and toner levelsCheck ink or toner levels on the printer, in Windows, on a Mac or from your phone, and learn why the estimated levels aren't always accurate.
Setting up
- How to connect a printer with a USB cablePick the right USB cable, know when to plug it in, get Windows, a Mac or a Chromebook to find the printer, and switch to Wi-Fi later if you want.
- How to add a printer on LinuxAdd a network or USB printer on Ubuntu, Fedora or Mint with driverless IPP Everywhere, your desktop settings, the CUPS web page or the maker's driver.
- How to reset your printer's network settingsReset your printer's Wi-Fi and network settings to factory defaults, reconnect it to your network, and add it again on Windows or a Mac.
- How to reset a printer to factory settingsRestore a printer to factory settings from its control panel or built-in web page, know what gets erased, and wipe it properly before selling or recycling.
- How to secure a network printerProtect a home or office network printer: change the admin password, update firmware, turn off unused services, keep it off the internet and wipe it when done.
Scan, copy and fax
- How to scan a document on Windows 11 or 10Scan documents and photos on Windows 11 or 10 with the free Windows Scan app or Windows Fax and Scan, and choose the right resolution and file type.
- How to scan a document on a MacScan documents and photos on a Mac with the built-in Image Capture and Preview apps, choose good settings and save several pages as one PDF.
- How to set up scan to emailSet up scan to email on your printer's built-in web page or the maker's cloud service, with the right SMTP settings, a secure sign-in and a test scan.
- How to set up your printer's faxConnect an all-in-one printer to a phone line, share it with a phone or answering machine, then set the fax header, answer mode and rings and send a test fax.
- How to send a fax from your computerSend a fax from Windows with your printer's PC-fax software or Windows Fax and Scan, from a Mac with the maker's tools, or with an online fax service.
Ink, toner and ink tanks
- How to replace an ink or toner cartridgeReplace an inkjet or laser toner cartridge step by step: remove the tape and seals, seat it firmly, handle drum units and fix a cartridge that isn't recognized.
- How to refill an ink tank printerRefill an EcoTank, MegaTank, Smart Tank or other ink tank printer cleanly: match bottles to tanks, fill to the upper line and confirm the new level.
- How to move or ship an ink tank printerMove or ship an ink tank printer without leaks: lock the ink path if your model has a lock, seal the caps, keep it level and run a nozzle check afterwards.
- How to run a nozzle checkPrint a nozzle check pattern from the printer, Windows or a Mac, read what the lines and blocks mean, and decide whether to clean, align or leave it alone.
- How to clean an inkjet print headRun a nozzle check and your printer's cleaning cycle to clear clogged inkjet nozzles, and learn when to stop, let it rest or clean by hand.
- How to align the print headAlign an inkjet print head from the printer, Windows or a Mac to fix jagged lines and blurry or doubled text, using automatic or manual alignment.
- How to recycle ink and toner cartridgesRecycle empty ink and toner cartridges and ink bottles through maker take-back programs, store drop-offs or local recycling, and pack used toner safely.
Maintenance and repair
- A simple printer maintenance checklistKeep your printer reliable with a short weekly, monthly and yearly routine: regular prints, nozzle checks, roller cleaning, updates and good paper storage.
- How to restart the Print Spooler and clear stuck jobsRestart the Windows Print Spooler, clear stuck print jobs from its folder, or reset the printing system on a Mac when the queue won't empty.
- How to update printer firmware safelyCheck your printer's firmware version, update it from the printer's own menu or the maker's official website, and avoid the mistakes that cause failures.
- How to remove a printer driver completelyFully remove a printer and its driver package from Windows or macOS so you can reinstall from scratch when a driver is broken, wrong or won't update.
Buying and saving
- Inkjet vs laser: which printer should you buyDecide between an inkjet and a laser printer by comparing how much and what you print, cost per page, photo quality, speed and running costs.
- Ink tank vs cartridge printers: which costs lessCompare ink tank and cartridge printers by purchase price, cost per page and how much you print, and see when a laser printer is the better buy.
- How to choose the right printer paperPick the right paper for your printer by type, size, weight and finish, with plain-English explanations of gsm, pound weights, Letter and A4.
- How to save ink and tonerCut your printing costs by working out cost per page, using draft and grayscale modes, choosing high-yield supplies and avoiding wasted ink.
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