PDF User Manual

Print quality guide

Many print quality problems can be solved by replacing a supply or maintenance item that is approaching the end of its intended
life. Check the printer control panel for a message about a printer supply.

This section provides solutions to print quality problems.

Printer is printing blank pages

Try one or more of the following:

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THERE

 

IS

 

NO

 

PACKING

 

MATERIAL

 

LEFT

 

ON

 

THE

 

TONER

 

CARTRIDGE

Remove the toner cartridge and make sure the packing material is properly removed. Reinstall the toner cartridge.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

TONER

 

CARTRIDGE

 

IS

 

NOT

 

LOW

 

ON

 

TONER

When 

88.xx [color] cartridge low

 appears, make sure the toner is distributed evenly within the toner cartridge:

1

Remove the toner cartridge.

2

Firmly shake the cartridge side-to-side and front-to-back several times to redistribute the toner.

3

Reinsert the toner cartridge.

Note: 

If print quality does not improve, replace the toner cartridge.

If the problem continues, the printer may need to be serviced. For more information, contact Customer Support.

Characters have jagged or uneven edges

If you are using downloaded fonts, verify that the fonts are supported by the printer, the host computer, and the software
program.

Print quality guide

Page 1 of 12

 

Clipped images

Try one or more of the following:

C

HECK

 

THE

 

GUIDES

Move the width and length guides in the tray to the correct positions for the paper size loaded.

C

HECK

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

SIZE

 

SETTING

Make sure the paper size setting matches the paper loaded in the tray:

1

From the printer control panel Paper menu, check the Paper Size setting.

2

Before sending the job to print, specify the correct size setting:

•

For Windows users, specify the size from Print Properties.

•

For Macintosh users, specify the size from the Page Setup dialog.

Fine horizontal lines appear on color pages

You may notice fine, horizontal lines in photographs or pages with a high concentration of color. This can occur when the printer
is in Quiet Mode. To fix this, set Quiet Mode to 

Off (Image/Photo)

.

Shadow images appear on prints

ABCDE

ABCDE

ABCDE

ABCDE
ABCDE
ABCDE

C

HECK

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

TYPE

 

AND

 

WEIGHT

 

SETTINGS

Make sure the paper type and weight settings match the paper loaded in the tray:

1

From the printer control panel Paper menu, check the Paper Type and Paper Weight settings.

2

Before sending the job to print, specify the correct type setting:

•

For Windows users, specify the type from Print Properties.

•

For Macintosh users, specify the type from the Print dialog.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

PHOTOCONDUCTOR

 

UNIT

 

IS

 

NOT

 

DEFECTIVE

Replace the defective photoconductor unit.

Print quality guide

Page 2 of 12

 

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

TONER

 

CARTRIDGE

 

IS

 

NOT

 

LOW

 

ON

 

TONER

When 

88.xx [color] cartridge low

 appears, make sure the toner is distributed evenly within the toner cartridge.

1

Remove the toner cartridge.

Warning—Potential Damage: 

Be careful not to touch the photoconductor drum. Doing so may affect the print quality of

future print jobs.

2

Firmly shake the cartridge side-to-side and front-to-back several times to redistribute the toner.

3

Reinsert the toner cartridge.

Note: 

If print quality does not improve, replace the toner cartridge.

If the problem continues, the printer may need to be serviced. For more information, contact customer support.

Gray background

ABCDE

ABCDE

ABCDE

C

HECK

 

THE

 T

ONER

 D

ARKNESS

 

SETTING

Select a lighter Toner Darkness setting:

•

From the printer control panel Quality menu, change the setting.

•

For Windows users, change the setting from Print Properties.

•

For Macintosh users, change the setting from the Print dialog.

T

HE

 

TONER

 

CARTRIDGE

 

MAY

 

BE

 

WORN

 

OR

 

DEFECTIVE

Replace the toner cartridge.

Incorrect margins

These are possible solutions. Try one or more of the following:

Print quality guide

Page 3 of 12

 

C

HECK

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

GUIDES

Move the guides in the tray to the correct positions for the paper size loaded.

C

HECK

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

SIZE

 

SETTING

Make sure the paper size setting matches the paper loaded in the tray:

1

From the printer control panel Paper menu, check the Paper Size setting.

2

Before sending the job to print, specify the correct size setting:

•

For Windows users, specify the size from Print Properties.

•

For Macintosh users, specify the size from the Page Setup dialog.

Light colored line, white line, or incorrectly colored line appears on prints

ABCDE
ABCDE

A

B

C

D

E

A

B

C

D

E

A

B

C

D

E

Try one or more of the following:

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THERE

 

IS

 

NO

 

DEFECTIVE

 

TONER

 

CARTRIDGE

Replace the defective toner cartridge.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

PHOTOCONDUCTOR

 

UNIT

 

IS

 

NOT

 

DEFECTIVE

Replace the defective photoconductor unit.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

TRANSFER

 

MODULE

 

IS

 

NOT

 

DEFECTIVE

Replace the defective transfer module.

C

LEAN

 

THE

 

PRINTHEAD

 

LENSES

1

Open the front door, and then the internal cover.

2

Locate the printhead wipers.

3

Gently pull the printhead wiper out until it stops, and then slowly slide it back into place.

4

Clean the remaining three printhead lenses.

Print quality guide

Page 4 of 12

 

Paper curl

Try one or more of the following:

C

HECK

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

TYPE

 

AND

 

WEIGHT

 

SETTINGS

Make sure the paper type and weight settings match the paper loaded in the tray or feeder:

1

From the printer control panel Paper menu, check the Paper Type and Paper Weight settings.

2

Before sending the print job, specify the correct paper type setting:

•

For Windows users, specify the paper type from Print Properties.

•

For Macintosh users, specify the paper type from the Print dialog.

L

OAD

 

PAPER

 

FROM

 

A

 

FRESH

 

PACKAGE

Paper absorbs moisture due to high humidity. Store paper in its original wrapper until you use it.

Print irregularities

These are possible solutions. Try one or more of the following:

T

HE

 

PAPER

 

MAY

 

HAVE

 

ABSORBED

 

MOISTURE

 

DUE

 

TO

 

HIGH

 

HUMIDITY

•

Load paper from a fresh package.

•

Store paper in its original wrapper until you use it.

C

HECK

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

TYPE

 

SETTING

Make sure the paper type setting matches the paper loaded in the tray:

1

From the printer control panel, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.

2

Before sending the job to print, specify the correct type setting:

•

For Windows users, specify the type from Print Properties.

•

For Macintosh users, specify the type from the Print dialog.

C

HECK

 

THE

 

PAPER

Avoid textured paper with rough finishes.

Print quality guide

Page 5 of 12

 

T

HE

 

TONER

 

MAY

 

BE

 

LOW

When 

88 Cartridge Low

 appears or when the print becomes faded, replace the toner cartridge.

T

HE

 

FUSER

 

MAY

 

BE

 

WORN

 

OR

 

DEFECTIVE

Replace the fuser.

Repeating defects appear on a page

Try one or more of the following:

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

PHOTOCONDUCTOR

 

UNIT

 

IS

 

NOT

 

DEFECTIVE

The photoconductor unit may be defective if marks occur repeatedly in only one color and multiple times on a page.

•

Replace the photoconductor unit if the defects occur every 94.2 mm (3.71 in.) or 37.68 mm (1.48 in.).

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

FUSER

 

IS

 

NOT

 

DEFECTIVE

The fuser may be defective if the marks occur down repeatedly in all colors.

•

Replace the fuser if the defects occur every 141 mm (5.55 in.).

Skewed print

Try one or more of the following:

C

HECK

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

GUIDES

Adjust the length and width guides in the tray to the correct positions for the paper size loaded.

•

Make sure the guides are not too far from the paper stack.

•

Make sure the guides are not pressing too lightly against the paper stack.

C

HECK

 

THE

 

PAPER

Make sure you are using paper that meets the printer specifications.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

PRINTER

 

IS

 

CLEAN

 

OR

 

IS

 

NOT

 

CONTAMINATED

 

WITH

 

PAPER

 

DUST

Clean the exterior of the printer

1

Make sure that the printer is turned off and unplugged from the wall outlet.

Warning—Potential Damage: 

To avoid the risk of electric shock when cleaning the exterior of the printer, unplug the power

cord from the wall outlet and disconnect all cables to the printer before proceeding.

2

Remove paper from the standard exit bin.

3

Dampen a clean, lint-free cloth with water.

Warning—Potential Damage: 

Do not use household cleaners or detergents, as they may damage the finish of the printer.

Print quality guide

Page 6 of 12

 

4

Wipe only the exterior of the printer, making sure to include the standard exit bin.

Warning—Potential Damage: 

Using a damp cloth to clean the interior may cause damage to your printer.

5

Make sure the paper support and standard exit bin are dry before beginning a new print job.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

FEED

 

ROLLERS

 

ARE

 

CLEAN

 

AND

 

ARE

 

NOT

 

CONTAMINATED

 

WITH

 

DUST

1

Turn the printer off using the power switch, and then unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

2

Remove the paper feed rollers.

Note: 

For instructions on how to remove and reinstall the paper feed rollers, see the setup sheet that came with the rollers

inside the compartment box of Tray 1.

3

Dampen a clean, lint-free cloth with water.

4

Clean the paper feed rollers.

Warning—Potential Damage: 

Do not touch the rubber. Doing so will damage the rollers.

5

Reinstall the paper feed rollers.

Note: 

Make sure to replace the worn or defective paper feed rollers.

Solid color pages

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

PHOTOCONDUCTOR

 

IS

 

NOT

 

DEFECTIVE

 

AND

 

IS

 

INSTALLED

 

CORRECTLY

Remove and then reinstall the photoconductor. If the problem continues, then the photoconductor may need to be replaced.

Streaked horizontal lines appear on prints

ABCDE
ABCDE
ABCDE

Try one or more of the following:

Print quality guide

Page 7 of 12

 

S

ELECT

 

ANOTHER

 

TRAY

 

OR

 

FEEDER

•

From the printer control panel Paper Menu, select Default Source.

•

For Windows users, select the paper source from Print Properties.

•

For Macintosh users, select the paper source from the Print dialog and pop-up menus.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THERE

 

IS

 

NO

 

WORN

, 

DEFECTIVE

, 

OR

 

EMPTY

 

TONER

 

CARTRIDGE

Replace the worn, defective, or empty toner cartridge.

C

LEAR

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

PATH

 

AROUND

 

THE

 

TONER

 

CARTRIDGE

CAUTION—HOT SURFACE: 

The inside of the printer might be hot. To reduce the risk of injury from a hot component, allow

the surface to cool before touching.

Clear any paper you see or clean any visible toner from the paper path. If the problem persists, then contact Customer Support.

Streaked vertical lines appear on prints

ABCDE
ABCDE
ABCDE

Try one or more of the following:

S

ELECT

 

ANOTHER

 

TRAY

 

OR

 

FEEDER

•

From the printer control panel Paper menu, select Default Source

•

For Windows users, select the paper source from Print Properties.

•

For Macintosh users, select the paper source from the Print dialog and pop-up menus.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THERE

 

IS

 

NO

 

WORN

, 

DEFECTIVE

, 

OR

 

EMPTY

 

TONER

 

CARTRIDGE

Replace the worn, defective, or empty toner cartridge.

C

LEAR

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

PATH

 

AROUND

 

THE

 

TONER

 

CARTRIDGE

Check the paper path around the toner cartridge.

CAUTION—HOT SURFACE: 

The inside of the printer might be hot. To reduce the risk of injury from a hot component, allow

the surface to cool before touching.

Clear any paper you see.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THERE

 

IS

 

NO

 

TONER

 

IN

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

PATH

Print quality guide

Page 8 of 12

 

Print is too dark

Try one or more of the following:

C

HECK

 

THE

 

DARKNESS

, 

BRIGHTNESS

, 

AND

 

CONTRAST

 

SETTINGS

The Toner Darkness setting may be too dark, the Brightness setting may be too dark, or the Contrast setting may be too high.

•

Change these settings from the printer control panel Quality menu.

•

For Windows users, change these settings from Print Properties.

•

For Macintosh users:

1

Choose 

File

 > 

Print

.

2

From the “Orientation pictures” menu, choose 

Printer Features

.

3

Choose a lower value for the Toner Darkness, Brightness, and Contrast settings.

L

OAD

 

PAPER

 

FROM

 

A

 

FRESH

 

PACKAGE

The paper may have absorbed moisture due to high humidity. Store paper in its original wrapper until you use it.

A

VOID

 

TEXTURED

 

PAPER

 

WITH

 

ROUGH

 

FINISHES

C

HECK

 

THE

 P

APER

 T

YPE

 

SETTING

Make sure the paper type setting matches the paper loaded in the tray or feeder:

•

From the printer control panel Paper menu, check the Paper Type setting.

•

For Windows users, check this setting from Print Properties.

•

For Macintosh users, check this setting from the Print dialog.

Print is too light

Try one or more of the following:

Print quality guide

Page 9 of 12

 

C

HECK

 

THE

 

DARKNESS

, 

BRIGHTNESS

, 

AND

 

CONTRAST

 

SETTINGS

The Toner Darkness setting may be too light, the Brightness setting may be too light, or the Contrast setting may be too low.

•

Change these settings from the printer control panel Quality menu.

•

For Windows users, change these settings from Print Properties

•

For Macintosh users:

1

Choose 

File

 > 

Print

.

2

From the Orientation pictures drop-down menu, choose 

Printer Features

.

3

Choose a higher value for the Toner Darkness, Brightness, and Contrast settings.

L

OAD

 

PAPER

 

FROM

 

A

 

FRESH

 

PACKAGE

The paper may have absorbed moisture from high humidity. Store paper in its original wrapper until you use it.

A

VOID

 

TEXTURED

 

PAPER

 

WITH

 

ROUGH

 

FINISHES

C

HECK

 

THE

 P

APER

 T

YPE

 

SETTING

Make sure the Paper Type setting matches the paper loaded in the tray or feeder:

•

From the printer control panel Paper menu, check the Paper Type setting.

•

For Windows users, check this setting from Print Properties.

•

For Macintosh users, check this setting from the Print dialog.

Transparency print quality is poor

Try one or more of the following:

C

HECK

 

THE

 

TRANSPARENCIES

Use only transparencies that meet the printer specifications.

C

HECK

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

TYPE

 

SETTING

Make sure the paper type setting is set to Transparency:

1

From the printer control panel Paper menu, check the Paper Type setting.

2

Before sending the job to print, specify the correct type setting:

•

For Windows users, specify the type from Print Properties.

•

For Macintosh users, specify the type from the Print dialog.

Print quality guide

Page 10 of 12

 

Toner specks

Try one or more of the following:

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THERE

 

IS

 

NO

 

DEFECTIVE

 

TONER

 

CARTRIDGE

Replace the defective or worn cartridges.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

PHOTOCONDUCTOR

 

UNIT

 

IS

 

NOT

 

DEFECTIVE

Replace the defective photoconductor unit.

C

ALL

 

CUSTOMER

 

SUPPORT

Toner fog or background shading appears on the page

Try one or more of the following:

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

TONER

 

CARTRIDGE

 

IS

 

INSTALLED

 

CORRECTLY

 

OR

 

IS

 

NOT

 

DEFECTIVE

Reinstall or replace the defective toner cartridge.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

TRANSFER

 

MODULE

 

IS

 

NOT

 

WORN

 

OR

 

DEFECTIVE

Replace the worn or defective transfer module.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

PHOTOCONDUCTOR

 

UNIT

 

IS

 

NOT

 

WORN

 

OR

 

DEFECTIVE

Replace the word or defective photoconductor unit.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

FUSER

 

IS

 

NOT

 

WORN

 

OR

 

DEFECTIVE

Replace the worn or defective fuser.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

PRINTER

 

HAS

 

RECALIBRATED

 

RECENTLY

Perform color adjust from the Quality menu.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

APPLICATION

 

HAS

 

NOT

 

SPECIFIED

 

AN

 

OFF

-

WHITE

 

BACKGROUND

Check the application settings.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

NO

 

TONER

 

IS

 

IN

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

PATH

Contact customer support.

Print quality guide

Page 11 of 12

 

Toner rubs off

Try one or more of the following:

C

HECK

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

TYPE

 

AND

 

WEIGHT

 

SETTINGS

Make sure the paper type and weight settings match the paper loaded in the tray or feeder:

1

From the printer control panel Paper menu, check the Paper Type and Paper Weight settings. Change the Paper Weight
setting from Normal to Heavy.

2

Before sending the print job, specify the correct paper type setting:

•

For Windows users, specify the paper type from Print Properties.

•

For Macintosh users, specify the paper type from the Print dialog.

C

HECK

 

THE

 

PAPER

 

TEXTURE

 

SETTING

From the printer control panel Paper menu, make sure the Paper Texture setting matches the paper loaded in the tray or feeder.
If necessary, change the Paper Texture setting from Normal to Rough.

M

AKE

 

SURE

 

THE

 

FUSER

 

IS

 

NOT

 

WORN

 

OR

 

DEFECTIVE

Replace the worn or defective fuser. For more information, see the instruction sheet that came with the replacement part.

Print quality guide

Page 12 of 12