Solutions to Common Printing & Tech Issues
Do you need help printing or downloading teaching resources? Whether you downloaded your teaching resources from Teachers Pay Teachers or this website, I’m here to help!
Below are some common fixes to troubleshoot most issues. If your issue can’t be resolved using any of the troubleshooting tips below, then be sure to reach out and let me know! I will try my best to help! 😇
You can contact me on Teachers Pay Teachers through the Ask a Question tab at my store or via email.
Rosey
Fairy Poppins
1. When I print the page and image looks cut-off. Why?
Printing PDF files within the Google Chrome Browser is a known issue. Google developers are looking to try and fix this.
In the meantime, to work around the issue do the following:
- Right click the download button.
- Select “Save link as” and save the file to your computer.
- Locate the file and open using Adobe Reader and not through a web browser such as Google Chrome.
- If you don’t know how to do this right-click on the file (on your computer) and select open with Adobe Reader.
- Print the pages (It’s best to print from a laptop or desktop computer)
Almost all issues are solved by saving the file to your computer, then opening the file with Adobe Reader and printing from there.
2. I saved the file, but the title looks odd?
PDFs downloaded to your computer may appear with a title like this:
https_www.fairypoppins.com_wp-content_uploads_2018_07_Apple-CVC-Spelling-Mats.pdf
This is normal as its taking the file from the server.
If you wish you can rename the file by right-clicking on the title and selecting Rename.
3. When I print some pages some objects have backgrounds that appear black instead of white/transparent.
This is a known issue when printing from browsers, ‘air-printing’ and other 3rd party applications.
To work around the issue do the following:
- Download the file.
- Make sure you are using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Do not print from a web browser.
- Open the resource using Adobe Reader and do the following:
- Choose File, then Print,
- Click on Advanced,
- Check the “Print as Image” box and click OK,
- Click the Print button.
- For those using an Apple Mac, iPad, iPhone, etc., there may be no “Advanced” box.
- Apple users need to click on the file and hold it down until a pop-up appears.
- Then press Command.
- Then tell the file to open in Adobe Reader.
- After doing so, you should be able to print as normal.
Almost all issues are solved by saving the file to your computer, then opening the file with Adobe Reader and printing from there.
4. My printer won’t print
If there are no error messages pointing you to the problem, check to be sure that the printer is still connected, via USB or Ethernet cable or—if a wireless model—that the Wi-Fi is enabled and that you’re connected to the right network.
The printer driver and software may need to be re-installed on the computer you want to print from. It’s possible that the driver has become corrupted. Check the manufacturer’s download page for the latest version. If it still doesn’t work, check out the troubleshooting section in the printer’s User Manual, and contact tech support.
5. Wi-Fi printing takes too long
Placing your printer very close to your router should increase throughput and reduce printing time, but there are other ways to improve Wi-Fi performance while retaining the flexibility of printer placement that wireless printing promises.
Be sure your router is adequate (it should support 802.11n as a minimum and offer the 5GHz band as well as 2.4 GHz) —and that its firmware is up to date. You could add a wireless extender or a repeater to increase performance if need be.
6. The file won’t download.
At the bottom of each blog post you will see a large “download” button. You’ll need to press this button in order to download a resource from the blog post. In the printables section, you’ll need to print on the link provided below each resource.
Sometimes temporary download issues occur due to a browser or connection issue. Try refreshing the browser or using a major browser such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome or Safari.
If you’re using a school computer, there may be restrictions to what you can download. If this is the case, download the file at home and save the file to a USB.
7. I can’t open the zip file.
If you are having difficulty accessing a zip file, I recommend reading a useful article such as this one written by Teachers Pay Teachers.
Here is the link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Help/File-Types-26/What-is-a-ZIP-file
8. Help! I don’t know where I saved the file!?
Try checking the Desktop, My Documents or the Downloads folder to see if it’s there. If you still can’t locate the file try downloading the file again to the Desktop or Downloads folder.
9. How do I download/open something in Google Drive?
If you opened a file with Google drive, you might miss the small print button on the bar across the top. Click that button and you should get a printing menu to pop up over the file. If that doesn’t work, download the file. Now that the file is downloaded to your computer, follow the instructions above for Adobe Reader in order to print the file.
10. Why can’t I edit PDF files?
Unless otherwise stated, most PDF files are protected under the Terms of Use. This is because it is a requirement of our graphic artists to ensure their graphics remain secure.
Please note there are many other editable files available for download. These files will state whether it’s editable in the description field.
Still need help?
I hope these tips help to solve your tech issues. If your issue can’t be resolved using any of the troubleshooting tips below, then be sure to reach out and let me know!
I will try my best to help! 😇 You can contact me on Teachers Pay Teachers through the Ask a Question tab at my store or via email.