TL;DR: Use USB for setup (add Wi-Fi later if you want). Install the full driver, not just the lite app. Set duplex + grayscale as defaults, and if the queue jams, restart the Spooler and re-add the printer.

Driver vs app (and why it matters)

Full driver package exposes paper sizes, duplex, quality modes and maintenance (cleaning, alignment).
Brand “smart” apps are fine for scanning and quick prints, but they don’t replace proper drivers—and multiple suites from different brands conflict.
Fix: Uninstall old vendor suites, reboot, then install the correct driver for your exact model.

Wi-Fi vs USB: pick your battles

USB = stable, low-friction setup; great for exam-week hand-ins.
Wi-Fi = flexible, but sensitive to placement and channels. Keep the printer in the same room as the router if possible; prefer 5 GHz; avoid 40 MHz on a congested 2.4 GHz.
For first-time setup, plug in USB, add the printer, print a test page, then add the network queue.

Fast wins that stop waste

Default duplex + grayscale for drafts; switch to colour/photo only when needed.
Paper profile: choose the exact media (plain/photo/matte) to avoid over-inking and smears.
Weekly keep-alive: one page per week prevents clogs on inkjets.
Update firmware and drivers quarterly; some brands fix Wi-Fi sleep bugs in updates.

Stuck print queue? Try this order

Cancel all jobs in the queue.
Windows: open Services, restart Print Spooler; macOS: delete and re-add the printer.
Power-cycle the printer and router once.
Re-add the printer by IP if auto-discovery keeps failing.
Still broken? We’ll sort it in a remote session.

Scanning that just works

Install the vendor scan utility (or Windows Scan / macOS Image Capture).
Save as PDF (text) or JPEG (photos).
For multi-page PDFs, use the vendor app or Microsoft Print to PDF.

When to call in help (common pain points)

Printer sleeps and never wakes on Wi-Fi; jobs vanish.
Endless “Copy 1/USB/WS” duplicates in Windows.
macOS shows the device but can’t scan.
Duplex prints on the long edge when you wanted short edge.
Colours washed out on photo paper (wrong media profile).

We fix these fast with a remote tune-up, then save duplex + grayscale as your device defaults.

Book in minutes

Set up a new or stubborn printer → Printer setup
Fix jams, queues, Wi-Fi sleep & driver tangles → Printer troubleshooting
Hands-on help right now → Remote support session
Have questions? → Contact us

Notes for students in shared flats

Put the printer on 5 GHz with a simple SSID/password and share it from one laptop if the model is basic.
Keep a USB cable in the drawer for emergencies.
If your Wi-Fi is flaky, see our Wi-Fi quick fixes.

Final word

Most printer pain is driver choice + connection method + sane defaults. Start USB, install the proper driver, enable duplex/grayscale, and you’ll stop wasting ink and paper. If it still misbehaves, we can fix it remotely and lock in reliable settings for good.