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Most printers are used until something goes wrong — and by that point, a small problem has often become a bigger one. A handful of maintenance tasks done once a year can prevent the majority of common printer issues: streaky output, paper jams, connection dropouts, and cartridges that seem to run out faster than they should. None of them take more than a few minutes. Here's what's worth doing and why.
Run a Full Print Head Cleaning Cycle
Over time, ink can partially dry in the print head nozzles — particularly if the printer isn't used frequently, or if it's been sitting in a cooler room. The result is streaky, patchy, or faded output that looks like the cartridge is running low when it isn't.
Most inkjet printers have a built-in cleaning cycle in the settings or maintenance menu — or via the manufacturer's app on your phone. Running a full clean once a year, followed by a nozzle check print to confirm everything is flowing evenly, takes about five minutes and can restore print quality significantly. For step-by-step guidance, see our posts on cleaning HP ink cartridges and cleaning Canon ink cartridges.
Run a Print Head Alignment
Print head alignment corrects the positioning of the heads relative to the page. Over time — particularly after cartridge changes, bumps, or being moved — heads can drift slightly out of alignment, causing text to look slightly blurry, colours to be marginally offset, or fine detail to lose sharpness.
The alignment tool is usually found in the same maintenance menu as the cleaning cycle. The printer prints a test pattern, sometimes scans it automatically, and adjusts itself accordingly. Run it after the cleaning cycle as part of the same annual session. For more detail on what alignment fixes and when to run it, see our post on how to fix misaligned or crooked prints.
Clean the Paper Feed Rollers
Paper feed rollers are the rubber components that grip paper and pull it through the printer. Over time they accumulate dust, paper fibres, and residue that reduces their grip — leading to paper misfeeds, skewed prints, and jams. Cleaning them annually keeps the paper path clear and reliable.
Most printers include a roller cleaning option in the maintenance menu that runs a dry cleaning cycle. For a more thorough result, you can usually access the rollers manually through the rear panel: wipe them gently with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water, rotating the rollers as you go to clean the full surface. Allow them to dry completely before printing. Check your printer's manual for the specific access method for your model.
Clean the Exterior and Paper Tray
Dust inside the paper tray and around the paper feed area is a surprisingly common cause of feeding problems and alignment issues. It doesn't take much — a layer of fine dust on the rollers or paper guides can cause sheets to slip or feed at a slight angle.
Wipe down the exterior with a dry lint-free cloth. For the paper tray, remove it completely, shake out any paper debris, and wipe the inside surfaces. While the tray is out, look into the paper feed area with a torch and remove any visible dust or paper fragments with a soft brush or dry cloth. Reconnect the tray and load a fresh, properly fanned stack of paper.
Update Printer Drivers and Firmware
Printer drivers are the software on your computer that manages communication with the printer. Firmware is the software built into the printer itself. Both can become outdated — particularly after operating system updates — and outdated versions can cause connection issues, slow printing, and reduced print quality.
Once a year, check for driver updates via your computer's device settings or the manufacturer's website. Search for your exact printer model and download the latest driver if one is available. For firmware, check the printer's own settings menu or the manufacturer's app — most modern printers can update firmware directly from the menu without needing a computer connection.
Check and Clean Cable Connections
If your printer connects via USB, cables can work loose over time — particularly in households where the printer gets moved occasionally or cables get tugged. A loose connection can cause intermittent connection failures that look like a printer fault when the fix is simply reseating the cable.
Unplug the USB cable at both ends, check the connectors for dust or debris, and plug them back in firmly. While you're at it, check the power cable connection at the back of the printer. If the cable looks worn or damaged, replacing it is worthwhile — a failing cable is an underappreciated cause of unexplained printer errors.
Check Your Wireless Connection Settings
For wireless printers, the annual check is slightly different. Confirm that the printer is still connected to the correct network — particularly if you've changed your router or Wi-Fi password in the past year. Print a network configuration page from the printer's settings menu (most models have this option) to see which network it's connected to and whether the connection is stable.
If you've upgraded your router recently, check whether the printer is connecting to the 2.4GHz band rather than 5GHz — most home inkjet printers only support 2.4GHz, and this mismatch is one of the most common causes of wireless printing problems. Our guide on why your printer won't connect to Wi-Fi covers this in detail.
Check Your Paper Stock
Paper that's been sitting in a tray or storage for a long time can absorb moisture from the air, causing it to curl, clump, or feed unevenly. Once a year, replace any paper that's been sitting open for more than a few months with a fresh ream. Store new paper in its original sealed packaging in a cool, dry place until needed.
Also check that you're using the right paper for your printing needs. Standard 80gsm plain paper is fine for documents but can produce noticeably weaker results for colour prints or anything decorative. Keeping a small supply of better quality inkjet paper for colour work is a worthwhile investment in output quality.
Check Ink Levels and Rotate Your Stock
If you keep spare cartridges in reserve, the annual maintenance session is a good time to check the use-by dates on any unopened ones. Most genuine cartridges carry a shelf life of 12 to 24 months from manufacture. Using the oldest cartridges first — rotating your stock like you would food in a cupboard — ensures you're always getting the best performance from your ink.
Check current ink levels at the same time and order replacements if any are running low. It's much better to discover a low cartridge during a planned check than mid-way through an important print job. Genuine cartridges from HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother are available with free UK delivery from Crazy Kangaroo.
Recycle Your Empty Cartridges
While you're doing your annual tidy, gather any empty cartridges that have accumulated and recycle them. Every HP and Canon order from Crazy Kangaroo includes a free prepaid recycling envelope — just fill it with empties and drop it in the post. You can also download a free Freepost recycling label at any time for any brand, with no minimum quantity required.
When to Do It
The best time for annual printer maintenance is either early autumn — before the busy winter printing season of Christmas cards, school projects, and gift labels — or in January when routines are being reset for the new year. Either works well. Add it to a calendar as a recurring annual reminder and it becomes one of those small habits that quietly prevents a lot of frustration over time.
