Use this article when BOLs, inbound tallies, or dispatch manifests are not coming out of a warehouse or office printer.
Why this usually happens
In most cases the printer itself is fine. BOL, tally, and manifest jobs are sent through a print service on a server, and when that service stops, jobs pile up and nothing prints. Only IT can restart it, so report it right away rather than resending the same jobs over and over.
Quick checks (1 minute)
- Make sure the printer is powered on and shows a ready status, with no error or "offline" message on its display.
- Check that it has paper or labels loaded and that no paper is jammed.
- Check that the network cable at the back of the printer is plugged in firmly and is not damaged.
- If another printer at your location is working, ask your supervisor whether jobs can be sent there temporarily.
Do not turn the printer off and on repeatedly or resend large batches of jobs. This can create hundreds of duplicate pending jobs that IT then has to clear.
Report it to IT
Email the help desk or open a ticket and include:
- The printer name or number (for example, "BOL printer 2" or "printer 39") and your building (for example, 1 Malcolm, 71st Street, 5905 West Side).
- What is not printing: BOLs, tallies, manifests, or everything.
- When it last printed successfully.
- Any message on the printer's display.
Once IT restarts the print service, the jobs that were waiting will usually print on their own. If they do not, let IT know so they can resend or clear them.
Physical problems: jams, missing rollers, misaligned printing
If the printer is jamming repeatedly, printing off-center, or has a loose or missing part, stop using it, note the printer number, and report it. IT will arrange a service visit with the printer vendor.