Gen Z’s kryptonite? They can’t figure out how to use a printer

In an age where smartphones are extensions of our hands and social media platforms are second nature, it’s easy to assume that Generation Z is fully equipped to handle any tech challenge. However, there’s one glaring exception: office equipment. Despite their expertise with everything digital, many Gen Z workers struggle with something as simple as using a printer or scanner. This unexpected weakness has become a point of frustration, and it’s sparking debates about expectations, technology, and what it really means to be “tech-savvy” in the modern workplace.

Expectations vs. reality: where things get awkward

There’s a strange assumption that anyone born after the late 1990s must be a tech wizard. After all, Gen Z completed school online, started work remotely, and live on their phones. But this expectation often ignores an important truth: digital fluency isn’t universal—it’s contextual.

In 2022, a survey by the LaSalle Network revealed that nearly half of recent graduates felt unprepared for the tech demands of the workplace. That’s not because they aren’t tech-savvy—it’s because the workplace tools they’re being handed feel outdated. Asking Gen Z to troubleshoot a dusty copier is like handing a vinyl record to someone who’s only ever streamed music. Sure, they could probably figure it out—but don’t expect them to be thrilled.

Personally, I remember the first time I had to fax something at an old internship. I stared at the machine like it had grown legs. I was 21, a “tech-savvy millennial,” and completely lost. It took me 15 minutes, a very kind receptionist, and two failed attempts to get it right. Now imagine being judged for not mastering that on your first day.

Are printers the new Morse code?

Let’s face it—printers and scanners aren’t exactly intuitive. Gen Z grew up with interfaces designed for instant gratification: swipe here, tap there, post. They’ve been raised on seamless user experiences, not the mysterious blinking lights and half-jammed paper trays of 2000s-era machines.

As The Guardian rightly pointed out, apps like Instagram and TikTok are engineered to feel effortless. That ease of use has become the baseline for what Gen Z expects from technology. When a device requires a manual—or worse, a call to IT—they instinctively feel like it’s broken, not that they’re at fault.

And maybe they have a point. How many of us have actually had a good experience setting up a home printer?

The slow death of home printing

Time was, having a printer at home was as normal as owning a toaster. Today? Not so much. According to HP’s own sales data reported by The Register, it wasn’t until the pandemic forced millions into remote work that home printer sales surged—by 21%, to $77 million. Translation: a huge chunk of workers, including Gen Z, had never needed or owned a printer before 2020.

So when they show up in the office and are asked to “just print that form,” it’s not that they’re helpless—it’s that they’ve never had to.

Maybe it’s time the tech caught up

It’s easy to mock younger workers for not knowing how to scan a document, but perhaps the real issue lies elsewhere. We expect digital natives to bend to outdated tools instead of asking why the tools haven’t evolved. Why do so many printers still require three menus and a degree in engineering just to connect to Wi-Fi?

Instead of laughing at Gen Z’s “printer phobia,” maybe it’s time we admitted the tech itself could use a refresh. After all, if the smartest generation yet can’t figure it out—maybe the machine’s the problem.