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In cases like this I will usually resort to a factory reset and start over. Does it copy pages ok? If yes then likely the defaults for scanning have been altered and it is now scanning smaller pages. It is also possible that the sensors in the ADF are dirty so it does not detect that a page has been inserted. Depending on who made this particular model, if it was Lexmark then there are 2 optical sensors that get tripped when a white sheet of paper is inserted. If they are dirty then they do not register at all and the machine does not know paper has been loaded. Just looked at a photo and that is a Lexmark machine, but I am not sure if it uses the optical sensor or the old flag/optical sensor.
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Even though Dell's core business is Windows based computers, there are printers available through Dell that also support Mac OS X. If your office has recently purchased a Dell printer, it's likely there's a driver available from Dell to enable you to make full use of the printer using a Mac. The quickest way to install this is to use the CD-ROM that came with the printer; however, if that's unavailable, you can download the drivers from the Dell printer support website.
Check Compatibility
Dell has been supporting various versions of Mac OS X for a long time. The best path forward is to visit the Dell support website (link in Resources) and enter your printer model in the search box to find compatibility information for your office printer. If the printer is more than a few years old, it's unlikely that there's support for the printer with the newest versions of Mac OS X. You'll have no difficulty finding support for newer printer models from Dell for Mac OS X.
Install Drivers
Installing a Mac OS X driver for your printer is the most effective way to ensure your computer can use the printer. You can find the Mac OS X drivers for download from Dell's support site (link in Resources); just click 'Start Here' under 'Support for Small and Medium Business.' Then enter the service tag, or click the 'Printers and Imaging Solutions' category, then 'Printer,' and click your printer. All that's needed is to download the driver and to install it. The printer driver installation guide contains detailed instructions (link in Resources).
Use Basic Printing
Mac OS X is able to use some printers in a basic mode even without the manufacturer's drivers installed. While this isn't true for every printer, it's worth a try on your Mac if you can't find a Mac OS X driver from Dell for your printer. You won't be able to use any advanced features of the printer, but if all you need to do is print a document, then this solution may be all you need.
Use Network Shared Printer
A similar solution to the basic printing operation is to try connecting to the printer over the network. If the printer is shared through a Windows computer or if it's otherwise directly connected to the network, you may be able to connect and to use the printer in at least a basic mode. This is most likely the scenario you would use in an office since it's likely your office printer is already connected to a network.
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About the Author
John Granby began his writing career in 2000 as a founding member of a tech industry website targeted at WAP developers. He has provided in-depth coverage of the wireless industry, served as a speaker at several conferences and authored a book on Bluetooth. Granby earned a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from Purdue University.
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Granby, John. 'Is a Dell Printer Compatible With a Mac?' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/dell-printer-compatible-mac-59565.html. Accessed 16 January 2020.
Granby, John. (n.d.). Is a Dell Printer Compatible With a Mac? Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/dell-printer-compatible-mac-59565.html
Granby, John. 'Is a Dell Printer Compatible With a Mac?' accessed January 16, 2020. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/dell-printer-compatible-mac-59565.html
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