Is your printer skipping lines while printing? Well, there’s no need to worry. Many users have reported it. There are many reasons why it happens. If you have been facing this issue for a long time now, we have the right solution for you.
This article will tell you everything about this error, including its causes, how to fix it, and how you can avoid it in the future. With that said, let’s get started.
Causes of Printer Skipping Lines While Printing
These causes may result in the printer missing lines error.
- The most common cause is when the printer’s nozzle gets clogged.
- Sometimes the printer’s head is misaligned. It can be the issue causing your device to leave some lines.
- Before printing, you have to mention the properties of the paper, such as its thickness. If you have not mentioned it correctly, the device might not be able to read it.
- Your printer settings might be out of support or set to low quality; hence, your device is skipping lines.
Make sure to check all the points mentioned above before printing. With that said, let’s take a look at how you can fix this issue.
How to Fix Printer Skipping Lines
There are different methods you can use to fix the printer’s missing lines issue. All of them are mentioned below with simple steps to follow:
- Clean the Print Cartridge through the Utility
- Make sure that the printer is connected to your computer.
- Go to Control Panel and locate Devices and Printers
- From there, find your Printer device, right-click on it, and select Printing Preferences.
- Under the Services tab, select Service this Device.
- Click on Clean the Print Cartridge and follow its simple instructions.
Now, you can print on a page to test whether it is still missing lines. If this does not solve the issue for you, there are some solutions that you can try.
- Clean Electrical Contacts
- Disconnect the printer’s power source.
- Remove the cartridges of the printer. Keep the nozzle plate facing up to avoid ink leaks.
- Locate the electrical contacts. They can be identified easily as they have a copper color.
- Use distilled water and a lint-free cloth to clean the contacts.
- Leave them to dry for a few minutes.
- Place the cartridges back.
- Turn on the printer and connect it to your computer.
Print test a page to see if the printer missing lines error is still occurring.
- Take out the Black Ink Cartridges for a Few Hours
- Turn off the printer and disconnect the power source.
- Take out the black ink cartridge from the device.
- Put it on a piece of thin cloth or paper, but make sure that the nozzle faces up. It will prevent ink leaks.
- Now, wait for at least two hours.
- Put the cartridge back into the printer.
- Turn on the printer and connect it to your computer.
- Replacing with a New Cartridge
If removing the cartridge does not work, it may be time to replace it with a new one. To find out which part is right for your printer, you can go to a nearby store or call customer service. It is recommended to bring your customer to an expert. They can tell the model only by looking at it and providing you with the right cartridge.
Hopefully, one of these methods will fix your printer’s missing lines problem. However, it is still important to know how to avoid it in the future. It will save you money and time from having to fix it again. So, let’s take a look.
How to Avoid Printer Skipping Lines
There are several ways you can avoid this issue. Here are some of the most helpful and effective ones.
- Printing with an Updated Driver
An outdated driver can cause missing lines as well as not printing at all. If you are using windows 10, there are always new updates in it. With these updates, it is also recommended to check your printer driver. There are usually new updates every week or two after a major operating system update. Always check with your manufacturer to keep up with the latest news and updates.
- Printer Maintenance
As mentioned earlier, how cleaning the electrical contacts can fix the problem. It shows how important printer maintenance is. You should clean and remove the components after every month or two. It keeps all the parts working and safe from dust, which can prevent the cartridge from working.
If you have not used the printer for a long time, it is best to perform maintenance before using it. You can find printer cleaning sheets that are made only to clean the device properly, so there is no debris left.
- Use your Printer at least Once a Week
If you do not use your printer for a long time, its ink starts drying. This will cause the printer missing lines issue. That is why it is recommended to use the device at least once a week. This way, your ink remains intact.
You may think you do not have enough work to print multiple documents every week, right? Well, a single page will do the job. You can test print a page every once in a while to make sure your device works correctly. Also, it will keep you informed about when to replace the cartridge.
Conclusion
This problem usually occurs when the nozzle gets clogged. However, there are many other factors involved as well. It is best to clean your printer and perform maintenance regularly. Also, using your printer every few days can also help. These tips can prevent many issues.
All the points mentioned above will help you get a clearer picture of the issue and fix it with simple steps.