Problem Overview

Tally.ERP 9 and TallyPrime are powerful accounting software, but getting them to print correctly can sometimes be a source of frustration. Users frequently encounter issues such as no print output, garbled characters, incorrect paper size, slow printing, or even Tally crashing when attempting to print. These problems often stem from misconfigurations in Tally itself, outdated or incorrect printer drivers, incorrect port settings, or conflicts with Windows printer settings. Understanding the common pitfalls is the first step towards resolving these pesky printing headaches and ensuring your financial documents are produced accurately.

Solution

Follow these steps to systematically troubleshoot and resolve Tally printer configuration issues:

  1. Check Physical Connections & Printer Status: Ensure the printer is powered on, cables (USB, Ethernet) are securely connected, and there are no paper jams or low ink/toner warnings. Run a self-test page from the printer itself.
  2. Verify Printer Drivers: Ensure you have the correct and latest drivers installed for your printer model. Outdated or corrupt drivers are a common cause of printing failures. Reinstalling the driver can often resolve persistent issues.
  3. Configure Tally Printer Settings:
    • From the Tally screen, press `Alt + P` (Print) and then `F12` (Configure) or `Ctrl + P` for printing and `F8` for Printer Setup.
    • Select the correct printer from the list.
    • Verify `Print Mode` (e.g., Dot Matrix, Auto, PLP) based on your printer type and desired output.
    • Check `Paper Size` and `Orientation` settings to match your physical paper and document layout.
    • Crucially, ensure the `Printer Port` in Tally matches the one configured in Windows (e.g., LPT1, USB001, IP address for network printers).
  4. Review Windows Printer Settings:
    • Go to `Control Panel > Devices and Printers`.
    • Set your desired printer as the `Default Printer`.
    • Right-click the printer, go to `Printer Properties > Ports`, and ensure the correct port is selected. For network printers, verify the IP address or hostname.
    • Print a `Test Page` from Windows to confirm the printer's basic functionality outside Tally.
  5. Network Printing Specifics: If printing over a network, ensure printer sharing is enabled, firewall settings aren't blocking communication, and the network path/IP address is correct in both Tally and Windows.
  6. Restart: Sometimes, simply restarting Tally, the printer, and the computer can clear temporary glitches.

Conclusion

Resolving Tally printer configuration issues often requires a methodical approach, checking settings across Tally, Windows, and the physical printer. By systematically going through driver verification, port settings, paper configurations, and connectivity, most common problems can be quickly identified and fixed. For businesses looking to maintain seamless operations and minimize manual intervention in such IT challenges, considering automation tools like Behold can provide a robust solution, ensuring your critical Tally printing tasks run effortlessly and reliably.