Printer alignment won't hold.

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I am trying to align checks to print. I go into printer setup and align. I get the printer adjustments so the print on a check's copy lines up. I click 'ok' and print on the actual check. The alignment goes back to unaligned. What am I doing wrong?

Best Answer

  • UKR
    UKR SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
    Answer ✓
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    How to Repair Printer Setup:

    Try resetting your printer definitions in Quicken and then redefine the printer:
    The printer must be powered up and connected to the PC.

    For Quicken for Windows versions 2009 and older:

    • Close Quicken
    • Use Windows File Explorer to locate and rename the file
      C:\Users\_username_\AppData\Roaming\Intuit\Quicken\Config\WPR.DAT to WPR.OLD
    • Now set up your printer again, as described below. The WPR.DAT file will be recreated next time you start Quicken.

    For Quicken for Windows 2010 until Quicken Subscription (US, 2021) R33:

    • Click File / File Operations / Validate and Repair. Select only "Reset Quicken Printer Settings", then click OK.
    • Now set up your printer (see below)

    For Quicken for Windows Subscription (US, 2021) R34 and newer:

    • Click File / Validate and Repair. Select only "Reset Quicken Printer Settings", then click OK.
    • Now set up your printer (see below)

    Printer Setup (all versions):

    • Close and restart Quicken (might not be necessary, but it can't hurt)
    • In Quicken click File / Printer Setup / For Printing and visit all selections as needed
      (a) for Reports,
      (b) for Checks,
      (c) for Invoices [Quicken HB&R users only]
      and define your printer.

    If you're printing checks, do not forget to select the correct check style.

    • For 3-per-page personal size checks choose "Wallet Checks (Check 21 ...)", not "Wallet Checks" (unless you still use some very old stock from many years ago)
    • For 3-per-page business size checks choose "Standard Checks", not "Voucher Checks".
    • For 1-per-page business size checks with 2 stubs choose "Voucher Checks".
    • Canadian users need to choose between 2 layout styles, e.g., old style "Voucher" vs. new style "Voucher - Image ready".

    Additional things to check:

    • If you are printing a logo (image) on your checks, click the Logo button and make sure that your logo image file still is where Quicken expects it to be.
    • Also choose the proper features for printing partial pages when using 3-per-page stock.
    • Users of continuous forms on dot matrix printers: Be sure to select "Continuous Forms" instead of "Page-oriented".
    • Laser / inkjet sheet-fed printers: in Windows Printer Properties select paper size 8.5*11", standard paper. Do not use any "Auto detect" or photo print settings.
    • If checks print OK on one computer but do not align properly on another computer, compare printer settings, printer port selections and installed printer driver versions.
    • Download and install the latest printer driver directly from the manufacturer's website. The driver that comes with your Windows installation may not be up to date.
    • Make sure that at least one of your printers is marked as Windows Default Printer ... doesn't have to be the one you want to use with Quicken, but you need at least one marked Default Printer
    • In some of the newer versions of Windows you may also need to do this:
      Go into Windows Settings or Control Panel, Printers & Scanners.
      Uncheck "Let Windows manage my default printer".

Answers

  • UKR
    UKR SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
    Answer ✓
    Options

    How to Repair Printer Setup:

    Try resetting your printer definitions in Quicken and then redefine the printer:
    The printer must be powered up and connected to the PC.

    For Quicken for Windows versions 2009 and older:

    • Close Quicken
    • Use Windows File Explorer to locate and rename the file
      C:\Users\_username_\AppData\Roaming\Intuit\Quicken\Config\WPR.DAT to WPR.OLD
    • Now set up your printer again, as described below. The WPR.DAT file will be recreated next time you start Quicken.

    For Quicken for Windows 2010 until Quicken Subscription (US, 2021) R33:

    • Click File / File Operations / Validate and Repair. Select only "Reset Quicken Printer Settings", then click OK.
    • Now set up your printer (see below)

    For Quicken for Windows Subscription (US, 2021) R34 and newer:

    • Click File / Validate and Repair. Select only "Reset Quicken Printer Settings", then click OK.
    • Now set up your printer (see below)

    Printer Setup (all versions):

    • Close and restart Quicken (might not be necessary, but it can't hurt)
    • In Quicken click File / Printer Setup / For Printing and visit all selections as needed
      (a) for Reports,
      (b) for Checks,
      (c) for Invoices [Quicken HB&R users only]
      and define your printer.

    If you're printing checks, do not forget to select the correct check style.

    • For 3-per-page personal size checks choose "Wallet Checks (Check 21 ...)", not "Wallet Checks" (unless you still use some very old stock from many years ago)
    • For 3-per-page business size checks choose "Standard Checks", not "Voucher Checks".
    • For 1-per-page business size checks with 2 stubs choose "Voucher Checks".
    • Canadian users need to choose between 2 layout styles, e.g., old style "Voucher" vs. new style "Voucher - Image ready".

    Additional things to check:

    • If you are printing a logo (image) on your checks, click the Logo button and make sure that your logo image file still is where Quicken expects it to be.
    • Also choose the proper features for printing partial pages when using 3-per-page stock.
    • Users of continuous forms on dot matrix printers: Be sure to select "Continuous Forms" instead of "Page-oriented".
    • Laser / inkjet sheet-fed printers: in Windows Printer Properties select paper size 8.5*11", standard paper. Do not use any "Auto detect" or photo print settings.
    • If checks print OK on one computer but do not align properly on another computer, compare printer settings, printer port selections and installed printer driver versions.
    • Download and install the latest printer driver directly from the manufacturer's website. The driver that comes with your Windows installation may not be up to date.
    • Make sure that at least one of your printers is marked as Windows Default Printer ... doesn't have to be the one you want to use with Quicken, but you need at least one marked Default Printer
    • In some of the newer versions of Windows you may also need to do this:
      Go into Windows Settings or Control Panel, Printers & Scanners.
      Uncheck "Let Windows manage my default printer".

  • Tony Robinson
    Tony Robinson Member ✭✭
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    You're a genius, thank you. Is the Windows version supposed to only add a couple *** after the written payment amount (the Apple version places them all the way across the check)?

  • UKR
    UKR SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Is the Windows version supposed to only add a couple *** after the written payment amount (the Apple version places them all the way across the check)?

    Yes, there are only a few asterisks after the amount in words.
    That was changed many years ago, however. Before that, in very old versions of Quicken for Windows, the line of asterisks went all the way across.

    BTW, was there any of my answers which specifically help solve your problem? If so, which one?

  • Tony Robinson
    Tony Robinson Member ✭✭
    Options

    Yes, you helped with the alignment question I originally asked. Your directions were clear and resolved my issue. Thanks again.