Plug in the printer and switch it on.
Ascertain that the printer has paper and toner.
Switch off the printer for 10 seconds again switch it on.
Make sure that the printer cable is firmly secured by checking.
To carry out the next step and get over with printer problem, plug off the cable and then reconnecting it. But one thing you have to careful in this case. In case you use a shared printer, make sure that you have access to it and you are authorized to do so. To be in safer side, take out a test print-out page first to ensure that the printer itself is functioning properly. Also make it sure that the computer is connected to the same AirPort network if your printer is connected to an AirPort Base Station.
Then proceed further in your attempt to solve your printer problem and try plugging your printer into another port of the same type on your personal computer. Try by plugging the printer directly into a port on your computer in case your printer is connected to a hub. To see whether the current cable is faulty, use any spare cable. To detect if the problem is in the application that you are using, try printing from another application.
Then ensure that your printer is the selected printer in the Print dialog.
Select it from the Printer pop-up menu if you do not find it listed.
Take care that your operating software is up-to-date.
Also ensure that you are using the manufacturer's latest printer driver.
Try deleting and then re-adding your printer through the Printer Setup Utility.
Finally, open Printer Setup Utility and check the print job queue by double-clicking your printer in the list, and checking the status message next to the printer icon. You have to click on Start Jobs if you see the message Jobs Stopped. Click to select the job and then click on Delete if a print job shows an error. A careful observation of all these steps will definitely help you sort out the printer problem.