how would you troubleshoot for printers not working?

What would your troubleshooting process be for printers not working on a network?

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any error codes on the printer? How are the connections? Does rebooting help? What are the error messages from the users' computers? etc...etc..

shochan

is it using static IP or DHCP? Once you know what the IP is, you can use web interface (http/https) to configure it.

gespenstern

First, test page (are they functional?). Then, basic CCNA troubleshooting for an IP host: pure IP connectivity (DHCP, IP routing, ACLs, different VLANs), DNS if used, particular port they are on connectivity (9100?). Then application layer/drivers stuff.

NetworkNewb

This sounds like the most generic helpdesk interview question... I'm assuming that is why you are asking?

cyberguypr

1. print to PDF
2. close ticket
3. profit?

ansionnachcliste

cyberguypr wrote: »

1. print to PDF
2. close ticket
3. profit?

Such a CISSP response

McxRisley

I'm surprised no one has mentioned to check the print spooler yet...

kaiju

Definitely need more information!
What OS and printer?
Was it working before?
Is the correct driver installed?
Local or network printer?
If network: is the correct print server being used? How's the network connection for the PC and printer?
If local: Has printing been paused? In windows OS: right click on the printer icon in CP> choose "see what's print?"> Printer> uncheck pause printing

soccarplayer29

"Office Space" that printer

NetworkNewb

McxRisley wrote: »

I'm surprised no one has mentioned to check the print spooler yet...

I'm surprised so many are answering this question seriously.

kaiju

NetworkNewb wrote: »

I'm surprised so many are answering this question seriously.

Maybe somebody other than the OP can use the information.

NetworkNewb

kaiju wrote: »

Maybe somebody other than the OP can use the information.

There are so many variables that would go into this that Google would be 100x more helpful and quicker... Come on now....

I pray no one actually uses this forum as a troubleshooting step for these types of issues. (obvious interview question)

cyberguypr

Intervie wor not, my only beef with the question is that it lacks context. It reminds me of why I left most LinkedIn tech groups. People used to ask "what is the best solution for X" and then people would randomly answer without knowing anything about the environment, budget, etc.

Smart questions get smart answers. Simple.

iBrokeIT

Hello, this is TechExams' helpdesk. Did you try turning it off and back on again?

kaiju

Maybe it has a bad flux capacitor?

Or

I can be prissy and say .........

Nope! I will not go there!

Dojiscalper

There's a lot of stupid stuff that can prevent a printer from printing and most have been addressed in the thread. Here's a fun fact to show how weird this problem can get. On Canon MFPs you can have BOOTP and DHCP or MANUAL both checked as "ON" in the configuration. This will cause you problems and its very easy to not notice.

I suppose from the view of a person being asked in an interview you should probably start with simple and quick. I hate these questions because they are to simple and the interviewer could be looking for something very specific that they consider every tech should know. A good tech might have a good list of things to check in their head, but should be able to troubleshoot effectively.

I think a better question would be, "lets walk through troubleshooting a printer won't print issue and lets take it as far as you can". This would allow a tech to show what they know about the problem at hand and how they work through a problem. It would give some good insight to basic network troubleshooting, etc.

I actually just came back to my office from troubleshooting this exact situation. I was the third tech on site and the client had been down for a month. The helpdesk is basically worthless and hopes the sub contracted tech on site will figure it out eventually. Well today it paid off. I heard the place had just been remodeled so the first thing I did was use a cable toner to find the cable. Next I checked with their level 2 team to find out that the cable was in the wrong switch port. Moved it to the correct one and we got connectivity!!

Nik 99

Could I throw in a troubleshooting question too? This came up during a phone interview and just like to know how you lot would answer it.

How would you troubleshoot a application that after being run / double clicked failed to launch?

I answered that I'd check event viewer logs, do internet research and check the knowledge base. My interviewer did point out that I could also look at any logs this application generated in it's program files (I forgot about that opps).

albinorhino187

Could also check task manager to see if it's already running or hung.

paul78

NetworkNewb wrote: »

I'm surprised so many are answering this question seriously.

I love surveys and random questions with no context. It's like playing trivial pursuit

DoubleD wrote:

What would your troubleshooting process be for printers not working on a network?

Step 1 - is printer turned on?
Step 2 - is there paper in the printer?
Step 3 - is there toner/ink in the printer?

I prefer to start with the simple stuff because most problems are usually the obvious head-slapper.

DoubleD

paul78 wrote: »

I love surveys and random questions with no context. It's like playing trivial pursuit

Step 1 - is printer turned on?
Step 2 - is there paper in the printer?
Step 3 - is there toner/ink in the printer?

I prefer to start with the simple stuff because most problems are usually the obvious head-slapper.

I think the question implies that it is a network related problem as they imply that there are more than one printer that is problematic!

yoba222

Have you considered retaking or perhaps re-reading an A+ study guide? They teach printers and the basic troubleshooting process in that IIRC.

DoubleD

yoba222 wrote: »

Have you considered retaking or perhaps re-reading an A+ study guide? They teach printers and the basic troubleshooting process in that IIRC.

Well No as I said before the question was aimed at Network printers and goes above the A Plus Objectives and it is not really covered in the A Plus. But I am studying MTA Networking Fundamentals at the moment hopefully I can pick up some nuggets in there.

Panther

Is this for exam or real world?

Exam:
What type of answers does the exam want.
I guess reference practice exams to know.

Real world:
What's your role?
Help desk? Are you timed?
If so, tell user reboot printer/computer, or swap cables. Call back. Ticket "resolved". Your metrics look good!

Who is the user?
VIP?
Do whatever it takes to get it resolved.
Tell everyone else you are dealing with a VIP issue; they will know the hierarchy and understand.

Soooo, depends on context.

TechGromit

1. Can others print to the printer.
2. print test page, does it have an IP address?
3. Can you ping IP address?