6 Tips to Maintaining Your Scanner for Longevity

With any piece of technology or equipment, regular maintenance is key to ensuring you get the most out of your purchase. 

A well-maintained scanner enhances performance and can save you from replacement costs and repairs down the line. This is especially essential for those on a budget or who rely heavily on their scanner for their business.

So, in order to keep your scanner in great condition, it’s important to follow these six steps:

1. Clean the Scanner Regularly

Scanners can harbour dust, grime, and dirt, causing technological issues such as smudges and paper jams. 

Dirt buildup on the scanner glass can affect the clarity of your scans, whilst a buildup of debris on the rollers can cause your documents to misfeed or jam. 

To avoid this, unplug your scanner from the socket and clean the scanner glass with a lint-free cloth and glass cleaner. Move the cloth in a circular motion to get rid of fingerprints and smudges. 

Then, clean the rollers with a damp cloth and water or a mild cleaning solution. Ensure the rollers are dry before inserting them back into your scanner.

2. Handle with Care

Due to the fragility of scanners, they need to be handled with care and precision to prevent long-term damage. 

Reckless handling can lead to cracks, scratches, or internal damage, rendering the scanner useless. To avoid this, always keep your scanner on a flat surface and in a dust-free area.

Always use a storage box when transferring your scanner to a new location to prevent it from breaking against pressure or force. When scanning documents, always ensure they are free from staples or clips. 

3. Use the Scanner Correctly

Improper use of your scanner can damage the device, causing it to break quite quickly. 

Never use more than the specified maximum document size and document feed load. Always read the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure you’re inserting the documents correctly.

To ensure high-quality scans, use high resolutions for text recognition or detailed images and low resolutions for basic documents. If you need to scan a large batch of documents at once, give the scanner time to cool down between scans to prevent overheating. 

To preserve accuracy and colour fidelity, use the calibration tool to re-calibrate your scanner regularly. 

4. Regular Software Updates

Keeping your scanner up to date with the current software updates is crucial to maintaining performance and compatibility with modern devices. 

This can improve bugs, speed up your scanner, and give you access to new features. Updates can provide you with a whole new scanner without paying for a new model. 

To do this, go to the manufacturer's website, search for your scanner model, and download any new updates. You will be provided with instructions for the installation process. 

On the other hand, you can set up automatic updates by going to the settings and turning this feature on.

5. Perform Regular Maintenance Checks

By performing regular maintenance checks, you can identify and solve any issues before they worsen and potentially render your scanner inoperable. 

Similar to step one, identify any wear and tear both internally and externally on your scanner, resolving any issues. Rollers and pads can wear out over time, causing performance issues, so check if these need replacing. 

Check the paper path for obstructions and perform test scans regularly to ensure everything is working as it should. If necessary, apply lubricants to any moving parts to ensure smooth operation. 

6. Professional Servicing

Regular maintenance can help solve minor issues. However, more complex problems should be left to a professional. 

Professional technicians have access to knowledge and tools that the average scanner owner doesn’t, so attempting to fix more complex problems alone could cause further damage. 

If you experience mechanical failures, such as motor failures and broken parts, recurring paper jams, software glitches, or poor quality, seek professional servicing. 

Choose Us for Your Scanner Repairs

At the Scanner Shop, we provide professional repair services for more complex scanner issues. 

Simply contact us today to enquire about our services and your scanner issues, and we will send you a quote!