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Digissential

Printer Troubleshooting (Not Setup)

Serving Stellenbosch & surrounds • Transparent pricing • POPIA-aligned

printer-troubleshooting — Digissential

What’s included

  • Find and fix driver/port/queue problems
  • Clear stuck jobs and spooler errors
  • Sort Wi-Fi/USB discovery issues
  • Clean install only if truly needed

Details

TL;DR: Your printer used to work and now it won’t. We find the reason, clear the jams (in software), and get it to print again.
Local: Common for SU student digs, homes in Welgevonden/Die Boord, and Technopark offices after updates or router swaps.

Problems we fix

  • “Driver unavailable” or jobs stuck in Queue
  • Prints from one app but not others
  • Wi-Fi printer vanishes after sleep or a router change
  • USB printer seen as “unknown” or keeps re-adding itself
  • Scan app can’t find the device on an all-in-one
  • Shared printer works on one PC but not the rest

What’s included

  • Check driver/port/queue and fix the spooler
  • Remove broken vendor suites and old ghost entries
  • Re-add the printer the clean way (USB or Wi-Fi)
  • Print a test page and—if AIO—test scan too
  • Short notes so it stays stable

How we do it (at a glance)

  1. Quick check: what changed (Windows update, router, antivirus)
  2. Clean up: stuck jobs gone; old drivers and ghost devices removed
  3. Reconnect: USB or Wi-Fi, simple name, right defaults (A4, duplex if supported)
  4. Stabilise: pick a steady method (USB, or Wi-Fi with a simple fix like a reserved address)
  5. Test: print from two apps; scan if AIO; try after a sleep/wake

Plain words. No tech talk.

Time & cost in Stellenbosch

  • Troubleshoot fee: R250 for one PC + one printer
  • Extras: More devices or very heavy vendor suites may add time—we’ll confirm first
  • On-site option: Add /services/on-site-surcharge-within-20km/ if we come to you
  • Turnaround: Often same day

Do-nots (save time and ink)

  • Don’t install three different “full suites” on top of each other
  • Don’t use guest Wi-Fi for printers—PCs can’t see them there
  • Don’t yank the USB mid-print; it confuses Windows
  • Don’t keep clicking Print 20 times—clear the queue first

When to stop DIY & call us

  • Queue shows jobs but nothing comes out
  • Prints once after a reboot, then fails again
  • Wi-Fi printer drops off every night
  • Scan app can’t find the device though print works
  • Paper feeds but stops; screen shows odd errors (we’ll tell you if it’s hardware)

Real stories around town

  • SU first-year (Huis Marais): Could print from Word, not from Chrome. We fixed a broken driver link and both worked.
  • Die Boord home office: Wi-Fi printer vanished after a new router. We joined it to the main network and set a steady address—solid since.
  • Technopark front desk: Queue stuck at 0%. We cleared the spooler, removed the bad package, and loaded the right driver. Fast again.

Simple tips

  • Keep the printer on the same Wi-Fi as your PCs (not guest)
  • Use the maker driver when possible
  • Place the printer where signal is strong and clear
  • If you change the router name/password, rejoin the printer too

What to prepare

  • Printer model and how it connects (USB/Wi-Fi)
  • Any recent changes (Windows update, new router, new antivirus)
  • Your Wi-Fi name/password if the printer is wireless

POPIA-aware handling • CPA-aligned warranties • Lawful e-waste routing on request (with data-wipe certificate)