It’s funny how long we’ll settle with outdated tech that barely does the job.

Maybe you’re still working on an old laptop that drives you up the wall daily. I make it simple to pick the best new laptop. Tap or click to take a quick quiz and get my handpicked recommendations based on your needs.

With some devices, it’s not so obvious when we need a newer model. Your home’s router, for instance, might work OK – but if it’s several years old, your network security is at risk, and it's also probably slowing down your internet speeds. Tap or click for guidance in choosing the right router for your home.

Then there’s the trusty printer you bought for your home office. It's time to give it a little maintenance, so it works better and lasts longer. By the way, your printer has its own email address. Tap or click to find out how you can use it to print from your phone or tablet.

1. Check the nozzle

You can run a nozzle check from your computer to see if the print heads are clogged. Instructions vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Check your user manual or the manufacturer's website for specific instructions. Now, this step will use some of your valuable ink.

Don’t have the manual anymore? This handy site holds user manuals for hundreds of thousands of products.

Once you start the nozzle check, your printer will spit out a test page. If the test page has solid print lines, your nozzle is clean. If the print lines are broken up, your print head needs cleaning. Keep reading for the steps to take.

Pro tip: Print a page that uses every color at least once a month to keep your printer happy.

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If your nozzle check comes back poorly, it’s time to clean your print heads. Dust and ink can clog up the heads. Cleaning them will extend your printer’s life and make your prints look much nicer.

Print heads can be part of the printer cartridge or built into the printer, depending on your model. Again, instructions vary from printer to printer, so check with your manufacturer for specific instructions.