Don’t ignore that whirring, clicking, and humming. If it doesn’t sound right, it might be your printer in need of a little tweak’. In this blog, we will explain how to reduce printer noise…

Printers can turn any peaceful office or home workspace into a symphony of mechanical noise. 

In this mini guide, we’ll get under the hood of printers to see why they get loud, give you the quickest and simplest fixes, consider solutions for more serious problems, and tell you about the quietest printers on the market.

Skip to: 

• Reasons for loud printer noise
• Quick fixes for loud printers
• Long term solutions for loud printers
• Quietest printers 2025

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Reasons for loud printer noise

Before we go any further, let’s discuss why printers get loud.

Mechanical components

Modern printers contain numerous moving parts that contribute to noise production. Print heads sliding back and forth, paper feed mechanisms, and rotating drums all generate their own distinct sounds. 

In laser printers, the fuser unit adds another layer of mechanical noise, while inkjet printers produce sound from their carriage mechanisms.

Age and wear

As printers age, their components naturally degrade. Bearings become less smooth, belts stretch or wear out, and previously snug components can develop looseness. 

This wear and tear often results in increased friction and noise levels that weren’t present when the printer was new.

Poor maintenance

Accumulated dust, dried ink, and debris can cause additional friction and resistance in moving parts. 

When printers aren’t regularly maintained, these issues compound, leading to louder operation and potential damage to components.

Environmental factors

The surface on which a printer sits can amplify vibrations. 

Hard surfaces, unstable tables, or placement against walls can create a resonance that makes the printer seem louder than it actually is. Additionally, enclosed spaces can reflect and amplify printer noise.

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Quick fixes for loud printers

We know what you want. A quick, easy fix that won’t involve much time or money. So they are:

Immediate physical solutions

💡 Place anti-vibration pads under your printer’s feet to absorb vibrations

💡 Move the printer away from walls and corners where sound can reverberate

💡 Ensure the printer sits on a stable, level surface

💡 Use a rubber mat or thick mousepad under the entire printer

Simple maintenance steps

💡 Clean visible dust and debris from paper paths

💡 Check for and remove any paper jams thoroughly

💡 Ensure all panels and covers are properly secured

💡 Verify paper guides are correctly aligned

Software adjustments

💡 Reduce print speed settings for quieter operation

💡 Enable “Quiet Mode” if your printer offers this feature

💡 Use draft quality for less important documents

💡 Batch print jobs to minimize start-up and cool-down cycles

Paper handling improvements

💡 Fan paper before loading to prevent multiple sheet feeds

💡 Use recommended paper weights for your printer model

💡 Keep paper trays properly aligned and not overfilled

💡 Ensure paper guides are snug but not too tight

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Long-term solutions for loud printers

Beyond the quick fixes, there are solutions which can help to solve the loud printer problem. Before you ditch your current printer and buy a quieter model, have a think about the following:

Professional maintenance

Do you have your printer professionally serviced? Periodical servicing – especially if you use your printer frequently – is recommended. 

There are plenty of ways that a technician can quieten down your printer during a routine maintenance check. He or she can deep clean the printer’s internal components or lubricate the moving parts – both of these exercises can make a difference to the overall noise level.

The technician will also be best placed to identify worn bearings and rollers which need replacing, and then make those replacements. They can also adjust the tension and alignment of the belt if needs be; particularly if this is the cause of the noise.

Environmental modifications

There are steps you can take to quieten down your printer over the long term. You won’t need a technician for the steps below – just initiative and a few DIY skills! How about… 

👉 Installing sound-absorbing panels on nearby walls

👉 Creating a dedicated printer enclosure (with proper ventilation) using acoustic materials

👉 Using furniture with built-in printer cabinets designed for sound reduction

👉 Implementing proper ventilation to prevent overheating and excessive fan noise

Hardware upgrades

A printer that gets increasingly loud over time can also be salvaged by making updates to hardware. You could consider steps such as replacing aging cooling fans with quieter models, or installing additional internal sound-dampening materials

You may also look into upgrade firmware to versions that might include noise optimization, or replace worn components before they get even louder or fail.

Ultimately though, when faced with the issues above, it may be more cost effective to buy a new, quieter printer.

Workplace reorganization

Lastly, a simple move around can work wonders. Consider restructuring your workspace to minimize noise impact. You could:

👉 Create dedicated printing areas away from workstations

👉 Use partial walls or dividers to contain printer noise

👉 Implement centralized printing locations with appropriate sound control

👉 Consider remote printing solutions for noise-sensitive areas

Advanced tips for specific printer types

Lastly for this section, lets take a look at issues which could crop up that are specific to certain types of printer.

Laser printers

Laser printers typically generate more noise due to their complex mechanical processes. Here are specific tips for reducing laser printer noise:

Temperature management

👉 Ensure proper ventilation to prevent excessive fan operation

👉 Clean heating elements regularly to maintain efficient operation

👉 Consider room temperature when placing the printer

Toner issues

👉 Use high-quality toner to reduce friction and wear

👉 Ensure toner cartridges are properly seated

👉 Replace toner before it’s completely empty to prevent unnecessary strain

Inkjet printers

While generally quieter than laser printers, inkjet printers can still benefit from noise reduction measures:

Print head maintenance

👉 Regular print head cleaning to prevent excessive movement noise

👉 Align print heads properly to reduce unnecessary movement

👉 Use genuine ink cartridges to prevent clogging and excessive cleaning cycles

Paper path optimization

👉 Adjust paper guides to prevent misfeeds

👉 Use recommended paper weights and types

👉 Keep paper trays properly aligned and maintained

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Quietest printers 2025

Sometimes, it might make sense to bite the bullet and just buy a quieter printer. In many cases, it can cost you less than the repairs. So here are three to mull over:

1. BROTHER HL-L2320D Mono Laser Printer

2. HP LaserJet M110w

3. Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4820DWF