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Printers, monitors & devices
Printers, scanners, monitors, USB drives, webcams, headsets and cables. 27 guides in 6 sections.
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Printer won't print or is offline
My printer will not printA printer that will not print is usually down to a connection, a paper or ink problem, or a stuck print job.My printer says it is offlineWhen a printer shows as offline, your computer has lost contact with it, even though the printer may look perfectly fine.My printer will not connect to Wi-FiA wireless printer can only work if it is joined to the same Wi-Fi as your computer or phone.How to reinstall a printer driverA driver is the small piece of software that lets your computer talk to the printer.How to clear a stuck print queueSometimes a print job gets stuck, and everything behind it waits.
Printer quality, ink & paper
My printer prints blank or very faint pagesBlank or pale pages are frustrating, and the cause is often simple.Streaky prints and cleaning the print headsLines, bands or missing colours across your prints usually mean the nozzles that spray ink are partly blocked.How to clear a paper jam safelyPaper jams happen to every printer.My printer says the ink is not recognised or not genuineSometimes a printer shows a message saying a cartridge is not recognised, is not genuine, or cannot be used.
Printer set-up, scanning & phones
How to set up a new wireless printerSetting up a wireless printer takes about 15 minutes if you do things in the right order.How to scan a document to your computer or emailScanning turns a paper page into a file on your computer.How to print from your phone or tabletYou can print straight from a phone or tablet without a computer, as long as your printer is on Wi-Fi and supports wireless printing from mobile devices.
Monitors, screens & cables
How to set up a second monitorA second screen gives you more room to work, for example email on one and a document on the other.My monitor says no signal"No signal" means the monitor is working but is not getting a picture from the computer.My screen looks blurry or the wrong sizeIf text looks fuzzy, icons are huge or everything seems stretched, the screen resolution or scaling is probably set wrongly.My monitor flickers or flashesA flickering screen is distracting and can cause headaches.Cables explained: HDMI, USB-C and DisplayPortCables look alike, but they do different jobs.
USB drives & storage
My computer does not recognise a USB deviceYou plug something in, such as a printer, mouse or memory stick, and the computer ignores it or says it is not recognised.My USB drive is not showing or asks me to format itSeeing a message such as "You need to format the disk before you can use it" is worrying.How to safely remove a USB drive or external hard drivePulling out a drive while the computer is still using it can damage the files or the drive.My external hard drive is clicking or beepingAn external hard drive that clicks, grinds or beeps is warning you of a problem.
Webcams, headsets & accessories
My camera or microphone is not working on video callsWhen your camera or microphone does not work on a video call, it is usually down to a permission, the wrong device being chosen, or another app already using it.Bluetooth will not connectBluetooth lets devices such as headphones, speakers and keyboards connect without cables.Wireless mouse or keyboard not working: pairing and batteriesWireless mice and keyboards are handy, but they can stop working because of flat batteries or a lost connection.My webcam is not detected or not workingIf your webcam shows a black picture or the video app says no camera was found, the cause is usually a setting rather than a broken camera.My headset or earbuds microphone is not workingIf people cannot hear you on a call, or the sound goes only one way, the microphone is probably muted, switched off or not chosen as the one to use.My docking station is not working properlyA docking station lets a laptop use a monitor, keyboard, mouse and other items through one cable.
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