How much does Printer repair cost?

While the world may be moving toward online records and electronic communication, there are still plenty of tasks that require printed-out documents. As a result, most of us still use a home or office printer, or both. Even if you bought the best printer you could afford, you may encounter frustrating problems—such as poor printing quality or not being able to print at all.

Most users can perform simple maintenance on their own, such as replacing the ink or fixing a paper jam. But more serious issues usually require a printer or computer repair professional. Before you take your printer in, call local shops and ask about their repair rates. Look for repair technicians who have experience with your printer brand and model, and check online reviews for trustworthiness and quality. 

While some printer repair shops offer a free diagnostic assessment, many charge a small upfront fee (around $25) to identify the problem—which will often be applied toward the cost of repairs. When you get an estimate, you can decide whether it’s worth the cost to have your printer serviced. If so, most fixes can be done in an hour or two by a trained technician.

This guide will explain various printer repair costs, and when to fix your busted machine or buy a new one.

The cost of printer repair varies widely, depending on the type of printer, complexity of the problem, replacement parts needed, and the shop’s labor rates. The average price to get the unit functioning again is $50–200, including parts and labor. Printer repair technicians typically charge $40–100 per hour for labor, and most problems can be fixed in 1–2 hours.

Given that you can buy a good home printer these days for under $100, replacement might be the best option for that category of device.

Here are the most common printer types and average repair costs including parts and labor.

Inkjet printer. These printers use liquid ink, which is pushed through thousands of tiny holes to create text or images on paper. They’re the most common type of home printer and are relatively inexpensive to fix. Still, most inkjet printers that cost less than $200 aren’t worth repairing, due to the cost and difficulty of finding replacement parts (some manufacturers don’t even make replacement parts for cheap units). For more expensive inkjets, most repairs can be performed in under an hour. Average cost: $50–150.

Laser (toner) printer. Laser printers use a laser beam to heat toner—a powder-based printing material—and embed it onto paper. They’re faster than inkjets and produce higher-quality prints, but are more expensive to fix. Most laser printer repairs involve 1–2 hours of labor costs, plus the price of replacement parts. Average cost: $75–200.

Thermal printer. These use a special thermal paper that changes color when heat is precisely applied. Though priced similarly to laser printers, thermal printers typically require less maintenance. Most repairs take 1–2 hours of labor, plus replacement parts. Average cost: $75–200.

Multifunction printer (MFP). These are larger than most other types and combine the functionality of a printer, scanner, and sometimes a fax machine or copier in one machine. MFPs can be inkjet, laser, or thermal. Because of their complexity and additional features, MFPs tend to cost more when purchased, and are also more expensive to repair. Average cost: $100–250.

The biggest question people have about printer repair is whether it’s worth doing—especially for simple home models that are relatively inexpensive to purchase new. If the fix would cost more than half the price of a new printer with similar features, it generally makes more sense to replace it. 

Here are some other factors to consider when deciding whether to fix your printer or buy a new one.

Cost per page. Newer-model printers are sometimes more efficient or have higher-capacity ink or toner cartridges—which means the price of printing every page may be lower. If so, it may make more sense to upgrade than repair your current model. To determine the cost per page of your old printer, divide the price of a toner or inkjet cartridge by the number of pages you can print before needing to replace it.

Lifetime volume. With most printer models, when you print a configuration page it will tell you how many pages (or “impressions”) it’s already printed. While the maximum lifetime potential varies widely among printers, a high number suggests your unit might not be worth repairing.

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Here are a few ways to reduce the cost of printer repairs.

Are printers worth repairing?

A high-priced, high-quality, relatively new printer is often worth the cost of the repair. If a printer isn’t under warranty, and the price to repair it would be more than half the price of a replacement, it probably makes sense to buy a new machine. 

Is it cheaper to repair a printer or buy a new one?

It’s usually more cost-effective to buy a replacement, especially if a new printer costs less than $200. At an average cost of $50–200—depending on the type of printer and problem that needs to be fixed—repairs may be worthwhile for a higher-priced model.

What is the average life of a printer?

The average printer lifespan depends on the brand, model, and style, and how often it’s used. As a general rule, printers in the $100–200 range can be expected to last 3–5 years, while more expensive, state-of-the-art printers can last 5–8 years.

Find a printer repair service in your area.