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Independent Dealer in the U.S.
Number 1 Lexmark™
Independent Dealer in the U.S.
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CURRENT POSITIONSBENEFITSToll Free: 800.333.5905
Corporate Headquarters:
2675 Research Park Drive
Madison, WI 53711
Explore opportunities to join one of the country’s largest independent business technology providers!
Toll Free: 800.333.5905
Corporate Headquarters:
2675 Research Park Drive
Madison, WI 53711
Aside from the water cooler and break room refrigerator, the office printer is one of the few communal devices in the office. It's the one device almost everyone will touch or use in a given day. With heightened awareness around infection control, cleaning surfaces (and printers) has become a best practice for businesses.
If your printers are part of a Managed Print Service agreement, your technicians likely clean your devices during routine service or preventative printer maintenance visits. But do printers need to be cleaned? Yes. Cleaning printers can help prolong their life and reduce paper jams, smeared documents and downtime.
You may want to clean a printer yourself if you don’t have a service agreement. If that’s the case, be sure to check with the manufacturer’s warranty and documentation for your printer model to make sure you’re doing it properly.
We’ll share some general tips for how to manually clean printers, copiers and multifunction printer (MFP) screens and operation panels. Plus, we’ll share how to clean inside a printer, too.
RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Printer Problems You Can Fix Yourself
The interior of multifunction devices contain sensitive electronics and delicate components, so it’s best to avoid probing inside. When possible, leave this task to the pros so you don’t end up scratching the drum or breaking something, leading to costly repairs and poor print quality.
However, there are some general items you can clean. Some printer models have a cleaning cycle mode. Look for this option on your control panel or look it up in your manual to run the cleaning function.
If the paper drawers are easily removed from the unit, take them out and clean them with a damp cloth to remove any dust or paper lint. Never force a drawer that isn’t easily removed. Make sure they are completely dry before placing them back in place.
You may also want to clean the paper rollers (the rubber rollers that pick up the paper). Use isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free cloth. This small cleaning job can help prevent paper jams.
Another task that you may need to perform is replacing the waste toner container. This is a small compartment that catches excess ink. If it’s nearing capacity, a warning message typically appears on the control panel display. Locate the waste toner box and replace it with an authorized unit.
Dispose of the used waste toner box according to local ordinances or contact an authorized dealer to inquire about disposal. They might also offer toner and ink cartridge recycling.
Remove the toner cartridge and gently wipe to remove any dust or toner underneath with a dry cloth. If you notice excess toner inside the print device, it may be possible to remove it using a vacuum that is specifically designed to capture fine dust particles like toner powder. These vacuums can be costly, however.
Whatever you do, don’t use a traditional vacuum with a hose attachment; they can’t filter the toner dust properly and you will end up with a big mess on your hands (and everywhere else). Plus, they’re usually too large and can damage components.
Excess toner dust inside a machine may indicate a defective cartridge. This stresses the importance of using only reputable toner providers. Many aftermarket toner cartridges are of lesser quality and may be prone to leaking.
RELATED ARTICLE: How to Avoid Toner Pirate Scams
Also avoid using compressed air. The spray may contain moisture, and the high pressure may force dust particles or paper lint into crevices and components where it becomes lodged and can wreak havoc.
When it comes to cleaning or servicing your printer, copier or multifunction device, it’s best to seek the help of Troyka-TC’s professional service technicians. They help organizations of all sizes maintain their printer fleets, whether a single device or dozens of machines.
Cleaning and repairs are just one item to check off the list when auditing your print environment to determine if a Managed Print Service would be cost effective and beneficial. Download our Office Printer Checklist below for additional considerations.
Then, discover the benefits of our imageCARE+ service and support program for your organization when you schedule a free print assessment. Contact us today.
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