printers

Max is looking for a small and simple wireless printer that's easier to use. Leo says that most printers are wireless these days, connecting to the network. An inkjet is probably the best if one needs color, but understand that they'll need to use it regularly in order to keep the ink flowing without getting the heads clogged. If one seldom uses it, a color laser printer is the best bet, but the colors aren't bright and not for printing photos. 

Evelyn's HP laser printer only prints the top half of the page and gives up. Leo suspects it may be software, but a laser printer works like a Xerox Machine and as such, may need maintenance.  The printer drivers may need to be reinstalled. Go to HP.com and download the latest software for it. But laser printers are so cheap now, it may just be time to get a new one. 

Chuck can't get his air printer to work wirelessly. He can't print from the iPhone or iPad. But he can print from his Mac. Leo says that Chuck's Macs are printing straight over WiFi, not via AirPrint. That's why they can work. Go to the printer options page and make sure it isn't printing to the old printer. Also look to see if the mobile devices can "see" the printer. If it doesn't, then it can't print. So it's likely an issue with the Epson's Wifi settings. Check-in there and look to see if it's AirPrint enabled.

Steve has an Epson all in one printer, and recently it's started to print lighter and lighter, making it steadily unreadable. Leo says that the heads are clogged, preventing ink from getting through the head to the page. He cleaned the heads with a video he saw on YouTube, and now it won't print at all. Leo says that printers are always being problematic. He recommends calling Epson and see if there's a replacement head assembly. It may be cheaper than buying a new printer.  The problem with all inkjets is that if they aren't used regularly, the ink in the heads dry and clog.

Caller is having network issues with his Windows computer and a minport driver via bluetooth. Leo says that BLuetooth is notorious for dropping out, forcing you to reconnect regularly. But since he's using the Epson EcoTank, he can connect via WiFi, and that's far better. 

Ralph has an old HP draft plotter printer and wants to know how he can use it with a modern computer. Leo says that those old plotters used an RS-232 port and he will need to get a USB to Serial adapter in order to use it. Ralph will also need software to configure it. Leo says to do some google searching for user forums and YouTube videos to walk through it. The tricky thing may be drivers.

Tim wants to know if an EcoTank wireless printer can print from a USB thumb drive. Leo says most wifi-enabled printers have eliminated the need for it. But if you want to print without a computer, that's a good way to do it. From the chatroom - The Ecotank 7700 has a USB thumb drive for that purpose. You can also connect your camera.

Maria has a Windows 7 computer and with the end of life support for it, she's is looking to get a Chromebook but doesn't know which one is best. Leo says that she can still upgrade your Windows 7 machine to Windows 10 for free, and that would be cheap. But a Chromebook is a great option for someone who isn't tech-savvy. Her HP printer is rejecting her new cartridges. Leo says that's a known issue.

Dan's Epson printer won't take his wifi password anymore and he can't update the firmware. Leo says Dan may have changed the WiFi password and forgot to input that new password into the printer. That's easy to forget to do. Leo recommends resetting your printer and then re-enter the WiFi password on your network setup. You'll also be able to download and install the firmware update.  If that doesn't work, you may need to reset your WiFi password and start over. 

Brian's printer recently died after 10 years. He only prints about 50 pages a month. What printer should he get? Leo says that the Epson EcoTank is a good buy.