Print-quality troubleshooting

If you are experiencing problems with print quality, the following sections might help you identify the cause of the problem.

Print-quality problems associated with media

Some print-quality problems arise from the use of inappropriate media.

●Use media that meets HP paper specifications. See Supported media sizes.

●The surface of the media is too smooth. Use paper that meets HP paper specifications. See Supported media sizes.

●The moisture content is uneven, too high, or too low. Use media from a different source or from an unopened ream.

●Some areas of the media reject toner. Use media from a different source or from an unopened ream.

●The letterhead you are using is printed on rough paper. Use a smoother, xerographic paper. If this solves your problem, ask the supplier of your letterhead to use paper that meets the specifications for this printer. See Supported media sizes.

●The paper is excessively rough. Use a smoother, xerographic paper.

●The driver setting is incorrect. To change the media type setting, see Type and Size.

●The media that you are using is too heavy for the media type setting that you selected, and the toner is not fusing to the media.

Overhead transparency defects

Overhead transparencies can display the same image-quality problems as other types of media and also defects that are specific to printing on transparencies. Also, because transparencies are pliable in the print path, the paper-handling components can mark their surface.

NOTE The HP Color LaserJet 3000 series printers do not support printing in color on transparencies.

NOTE Allow transparencies to cool for at least 30 seconds before handling them.

●In the printer driver Paper tab, select Transparency as the paper type. Also, make sure that the tray is correctly configured for transparencies.

●Make sure that the transparencies meet the specifications for this printer. See Supported media sizes.

●The transparencies are not designed for correct toner adhesion. Use only transparencies that are designed for HP Color LaserJet printers.

●Handle transparencies by the edges. Oil from fingers can cause spots and smudges.

●Small, random, dark areas on the trailing edge of solid-fill pages might result when transparencies stick together in the output bin. Try printing the job in smaller batches.

ENWW

Print-quality troubleshooting 169