Issue
- I'm unable to print correctly from my computer, documents don't show up at the release station and I don't get a popup message.
- I get an error in the PaperCut Client when I try to print
Environment
The PaperCut Client, also known as the PCClient for macOS or the "PaperCut MF Client" in Windows, is a required piece of software that allows a printed document to be sent to the PaperCut server with the information required to know who is allowed to release the print job, as well as other details. When the client is not running or is damaged in some way, documents won't appear in the PaperCut website or at the printer's release station for printing. Many times you will also not receive a confirmation notification that your document was sent to the printer.
Resolution
There could be a variety of problems causing the issue. This document will start with the most common and work down to the more complex.
Is the PaperCut Client software running?
The PaperCut Client is supposed to run automatically at log in to a machine, however it can close if something goes wrong, and it won't restart on its own on Windows devices (there is a custom task on Bowdoin-supported Macs that will restart the client if it closes). To check to see if the PaperCut Client is running, do the following:
macOS
In macOS, look at the top Menu Bar up near the clock. There will be a black, white, or green icon of what looks like the letter "P". If this is not there, the client is not running. The icon will be a much smaller version of the following image:
- To start the application manually, navigate to your "Applications" folder and look for "PCClient" in the list.
- If found, double-click it to start the application.
- Verify that the logo shows up in the menu bar. If it does, try printing again.
- If the application is not in the folder, it will need to be installed.
Windows
In Windows, look in the task tray, which is normally in the lower-right corner of the screen, near the clock. (Hint: You might need to click the up arrow icon to show all applications in the task tray). If the icon is not there, then the PaperCut Client is not running.
- To start the application manually, navigate to the search bar near the "Start Menu" and search for "PaperCut MF Client".
- If it is found, double-click on it to start it.
- Verify that the logo shows up in the menu bar. If it does, try printing again.
- If the application is not in there, it will need to be installed.
Is there an error when trying to print?
There can sometimes be errors when trying to print. In some cases, the error message indicates that there's an issue with the PaperCut Client. You can try to repair the software on your own.
Windows
In Windows, you may see an error message similar to "Error occurred starting user client. Please contact support for assistance."
If you receive that message, you can try to repair or modify the PaperCut Client through Add/Remote Programs.
- Navigate to the "Start Menu" and click the icon. The "Settings" window should open.
- Click on Apps
- Under the "Apps and Features" section, search for or scroll through the list looking for "PaperCut MF Client"
- Once located, click on the title
- Underneath the title you'll see some options. Click on Modify. The software will attempt to repair itself to a functioning state.
- Once repaired, check to see if the application is running in the Task Tray. If not, refer to the section "Is the PaperCut Client Software Running" above for instructions on how to start the application, or you can attempt a restart of your computer.
If you need further assistance, please contact the Bowdoin College Service Desk