How to Use and Troubleshoot Non-Dell Branded Printers

Printer Troubleshooting Steps and Procedures

1. When connected by a USB cable, reseat both ends of the cable going from the computer to the printer.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Turn the printer off.
4. Unplug the printer power cable from the A/C outlet or surge protector and wait at least 30 seconds.
5. Plug the printer power cable back into the A/C outlet or surge protector.
6. Turn the printer back on.
7. Print a test page. For instructions on how to print a test page from Windows, click the link below that corresponds to the Operating System that is installed on the computer.
   • Touch or Click Here if Windows 10 is Installed
   • Touch or Click Here if Windows 8(8.1) is Installed
   • Touch or Click Here if Windows 7 is Installed
   • Touch or Click Here if Windows Vista is Installed
   • Touch or Click Here if Windows XP is Installed
8. No further actions are required when the page prints successfully.

• Ensure that the required printer is set as the default printer.
  1. Press and hold the Windows key and then press the r key.
  2. In the Run box type, shell:PrintersFolder and then touch or click OK.
  3. Touch or click to highlight the required printer.
  4. Touch and hold or right-click the required printer.
  5. Touch or click Set as default printer.
     Note: When Set as default printer in not an option, it means that the printer is already set as the default printer, and usually has a check mark next to it.

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• For networked printers (connected by a wireless or wired network and not a USB cable) ensure that the computer is on the network and the printer portal settings and IP address are correct. (For instructions on how to ensure that the computer is on the network and the printer portal settings and IP address are correct, click the link below that corresponds to the Operating System that is installed on the computer.)
  • Touch or Click Here if Windows 10 is Installed
  • Touch or Click Here if Windows 8 is Installed
  • Touch or Click Here if Windows Vista is Installed
  • Touch or Click Here if Windows XP is Installed

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• Run the Printer troubleshooter to diagnose and automatically correct any printer spooler issues. For more information, see the Dell Knowledge Base article How to Resolve Printer Spooler Errors.

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• Print a test page.
  See the instructions detailed above.

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• Perform a System Restore to a time when the printer was working.
  For instructions on how to perform a System Restore, see Dell article:
  • For Windows 10, Reset or reinstall Windows 10 on your Dell computer.
  • For Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8, How To Restore or Reinstall Microsoft Windows on a Dell Computer.
  Note: When the printer still does not work successfully go to step 13.

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Non-Dell Printer Drivers, Manuals, and Support

• Uninstall the printer driver, then download and install the latest printer driver.
  • For instructions on how to do so for Dell printers, see the Dell Knowledge Base article, How to Download and Install Printer Drivers and Firmware.
  • For help with non-Dell printers, see the Dell Knowledge Base article Non-Dell Printer Drivers, Manuals, and Support.

For additional support, drivers, and manuals for your non-Dell printers, contact the printer manufacturer.

Recommended Articles

Here are some recommended articles related to this topic that might be of interest to you.

• Networked Printer Ports Properties and IP Address Troubleshooting in Windows 11 and Windows 10
• Clearing the Printer Spooler, Troubleshoot Printer Spooler Errors, and Removing Printers from Windows Registry
• Installing Printer Drivers From a Previous Version of Windows
• Common tasks after installing Windows 10 on a Dell computer