my printer won't turn on.

[mitgrimes]

I decided I better get my Christmas letters in the mail, so I read through it one more time, then called up the printer to do 20. It did 7 and started smearing the bottom half of the letter. I pulled all of the paper from the tray so it couldn't print more garbage. The last one to come through stopped half way, so I pulled it on out despite its protest. It didn't like that and shut itself off. Completely off. Cold, dead, turkey off. Now I can't turn it on. None of the buttons or lights work. That's a genuine Snit!
Maybe I better buy lots of tickets on the raffle Saturday?
Maybe I need a new printer? This one came home with me February 12, 2013.

[loneeagle]

Hi Mit:

You don't say the make and model of your printer but I have some experience with Epson. Something that will make an Epson stop working is when the waste ink pads become full and they need to be changed.

Now Epson users will tell you to just throw the machine away and buy a new one; however, if you look on Epson's website you may find instructions on taking the printer apart and replacing or washing out the ink pads. I know Epson used to have a way to prolong the useful life by inputing a code through the computer. They said it would extend the life of the machine for a short while.

Since I don't know the brand or number of your printer this suggestion may not be for you.

Loneeagle

[Trudy]

Mit -- find your printer under devices -- and cancel any printing jobs that are pending. Turn off the printer, disconnect from power and your computer [if it is USB connected.} Wait 10 minutes. Now turn the computer on, turn the printer on and see if the computer 'finds' the printer. Check again that there are no pending print jobs, and try printing again - only 1 to test. Sounds like the printer wanted to print faster than the paper was rolling -- might check for any paper ends caught in the rollers.

Good luck - and let us know what happens.