Which component should you check if you are getting garbled output to a printer?

When experiencing garbled output from a printer, the most likely cause is an issue with the device driver. The device driver acts as the intermediary between the operating system and the printer. If the driver is outdated, corrupt, or incompatible with the printer or the operating system, it can result in incorrect data being sent to the printer, which manifests as garbled text or images.

Updating or reinstalling the printer driver can often resolve the issue, ensuring that the correct protocols and data formats are used during the printing process. Properly functioning drivers help ensure that the data sent from the computer is correctly interpreted by the printer.

While the other components mentioned could potentially affect printing, they are less likely to directly cause garbled output. For instance, issues with printer settings might lead to formatting errors or printing in wrong configurations but wouldn’t typically result in garbled text. The printer cartridge could influence print quality and clarity, but a malfunctioning cartridge usually results in blank pages or streaks rather than garbled text. A network connection issue may prevent printing altogether or lead to delays, but it wouldn’t alter the text format once the printer starts receiving data. Thus, focusing on the device driver is the most effective troubleshooting step for garbled output.