Printer repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What printer repair is

A technician diagnoses paper jams, streaky prints, connection failures and feed problems, cleans or replaces worn parts and tests the printer. You need it when the printer stops working, prints poorly, or wastes ink and paper on every job.

Signs you need it

  • Paper jams often or the feed rollers slip
  • Prints come out streaky, faded, or with lines in one direction
  • The printer will not connect to the computer or to the network
  • The printer makes grinding or clicking sounds during a print
  • The printer shows an error code that the owner cannot clear

What the pro does

  • Runs a test page and checks the connection to the computer or network
  • Opens the printer to inspect the rollers, the feed path and the print head
  • Cleans or replaces the worn parts, such as rollers, pads or the print head
  • Checks the fuser, the drum or the cartridge contacts where the model uses them
  • Tests the printer with a full range of pages and gives you a summary

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The type of printer, such as inkjet, laser or large format
  • Whether the fault is simple cleaning or a part replacement
  • The model and whether its parts are common or hard to find
  • Whether the print head or drum must be replaced
  • Whether the printer is still under warranty
  • Whether the repair cost is higher than replacing the printer

What a written quote should spell out

  • The diagnosis and the test used to confirm it
  • Each part replaced, with the model and whether it is new or used
  • Cleaning or service steps included
  • Labor for each step
  • Warranty for the parts and the repair

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is the printer worth repairing, compared with replacing it?
  • Which parts are worn, and how did you confirm it?
  • Will you clean the print head and the feed path?
  • Is the printer still under warranty?
  • Do you use genuine or compatible parts?
  • What warranty do you give on the repair?

Red flags

  • Says the printer needs a new part without showing the test results
  • Pushes a service plan or a subscription without explaining it
  • Will not explain the cost of the repair in writing
  • Works on the printer without checking the warranty status

What you can do yourself

You can clear visible paper jams following the printer's manual, run the built in cleaning cycle, and check the cable or the wireless connection. Do not open the power supply, the high voltage parts of a laser printer or the fuser unit, since they can be hot or dangerous. Call a technician for any worn roller, print head problem or laser fault.

Licenses and permits

A license is usually not required for printer repair. Check with your state or local licensing agency about any business registration that applies, and ask the technician to show proof of training.

Printer repair questions

Why are my prints streaky?

Clogged print heads, dirty rollers or a low cartridge are common causes. A cleaning cycle often helps, but a worn part may need replacing.

Should I repair or replace my printer?

It depends on the repair cost, the age of the printer and the parts it needs. A technician should tell you when a new printer is the better option.

Can I use third party ink?

It can work, but some third party ink can clog the print head. Ask the technician whether your model is sensitive to it.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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