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How to Extend Your Printer’s Lifespan

Different printers have different lifespans. That’s a given. Specifications, manufacturer and usage frequency all have an effect on how long a printer will likely last. But did you know that proper care and maintenance can extend your printer’s life and help you save money in the long run?

Tips for Increasing Printer Life

You do not need to spend a fortune to keep your printer in good shape. The steps are easy. In our rush to get things done, however, we forget these simple rules. You unwittingly expose your printer to elements or situations that may cause gradual damage.

Consider the following tips below to increase your printer lifespan:

1.Close the feed tray every after use 

Most office printers have a manual feed tray, large enough to accommodate legal-sized documents. When not in use, close it right away. Modern printers sport a flexible, space-efficient tray. You pull it out and stash it in so it does not consume space.

Moreover, if you leave it open long after using it, the tray could be in danger of getting hit by random passers-by. Some people find it a hassle to fold feed trays in and out but it’s the surest way you can prevent your printer from getting damaged.

2. Clean your printer regularly 

Cleaning your printer does not only pertain to simple cleaning tasks like dusting off the surface and polishing it to make it shine. Don’t just clean the exterior. Your printer’s interior is just as important. In fact, most printer problems – why your printer malfunctions and such – have more to do with the interior.

It does not take much time to do a thorough cleanup of your printer. This is only optional but there are brushes specially designed for cleaning printer interior. Large and bulky models like the HP Photosmart 5520 and Canon Pixma models are more complicated to handle. Cleaning them can be challenging. With the help of special printer brushes, however, you’ll have an easier time pentrating difficult-to-reach areas.

How frequently should you clean your printer? Ideally at least once a month. You have the option to be hands-on and do the cleaning yourself. But if time is of the essence, call a printer maintenance service provider to assist you.

3. Do not wait for toners or ink cartridges to dry 

Not many people know that waiting for the cartridge to dry is actually bad for the printer. Dry cartridges contribute to blockage and printhead clog ups. Printers usually notify you when there’s only 20 percent of ink or toner left. Avoid printing until the prints fade out.

As soon as your printer software notifies you, replace the cartridge right away. Do not wait for a few weeks. A few days would suffice. This is more than enough time to ensure that the residue ink or toner has not dried up yet. Printer heads can smoothly move sideways as long as cartridges remain fresh.

4. Carefully place catridges in their compartments 

Depending on how frequently you use your printer, you may be changing your cartridges often. Be careful when doing so. Wrong placement or touching the part where ink is supposed to be discharged can lead to malfunctions. Or you can end up with a poor quality print.

There is a reason why cartridges, as soon as you purchase them, are packed so heavily. And if you notice, your cartridge supplier would always tape the opening. Besides preventing ink from from leaking out, the tape helps preserve ink or toner quality.

5. Set your printer on standby 

Frequent on and off can cause your printer to break down in due time. While this may save you electricty, it does not benefit your printer at all. Every time you turn your printer on, it realigns the cartridges for printing mode. When you close it, it moves to stack the cartridges.

Imagine if you repeat this cycle every time you complete a printing session. Not only does this confuse your printer software, but your cartridges will get exhausted with the repetitive movements. Leave your printer on standbymode. Close it only on days when you’re not at home or in the office for several days or weeks.

Your Printer Depends on You 

Your printer’s health depends entirely on you. There may be an average lifespan for printers of the same brand and model, but proper care and maintenance ensures longevity. At the end of the day, your printer’s lifespan is only as good as your efforts to maintain it.

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Written by David Blakey

Blogger, content marketer and web curator for https://t.co/iHDjC4K1nK, reputable retail-wholesale supplier of toner and ink cartridges online.