Lexmark 3500, 4500 Poor copy quality

Poor copy quality

•Blank pages

•Checkerboard pattern

•Distorted graphics or pictures

•Missing characters

•Faded print

•Dark print

•Skewed lines

•Smudges

•Streaks

•Unexpected characters

•White lines in print

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

Check messages

If an error message is displayed, see “Error messages” on page 94.

Check ink

Check the ink levels, and install a new print cartridge if necessary.

Clean the scanner glass

If the scanner glass is dirty, gently wipe it with a clean, lint-free cloth dampened with water.

Review steps to improve print quality

See “Improving print quality” on page 72.

Adjust the brightness of the copy

1Load the document facedown on the scanner glass.

2From the control panel, press Copy Mode.

3Press Lighter/Darker.

4Press or repeatedly to lighten or darken the copy.

5Press Start Color or Start Black.

Check quality of original document

If the quality of the original document is not satisfactory, try using a clearer version of the document or image.

Are you scanning from photo or glossy paper, a magazine, or a newspaper?

If you are copying or scanning from photo or glossy paper, a magazine, or a newspaper, see “Removing wavy

patterns from scanned photos, magazines, or newspapers” on page 66.

Check document placement

Make sure the document or photo is loaded facedown on the scanner glass in the upper left corner.

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Contents

Main Contents Page Page Page Page Page Finding information about the printer Help Lexmark Solution Center 1 2 Customer support 1 2 3 4 5 Page Setting up the printer Checking the box contents Installing another language control panel Networking the printer Installing the printer on a network Installing an internal wireless print server 1 2 Finding your MAC address Learning about the printer Understanding the parts of the printer Using the control panel buttons and menus Using the control panel Page Using the Copy menu Using the Scan menu Using the Photo Card menu Saving Paper Size, Paper Type, and Photo Size settings Using the PictBridge menu Using the Settings menu Page Saving settings Page Learning about the software Using the printer software Using the Lexmark Imaging Studio Using the Solution Center Page Using Printing Preferences Opening Printing Preferences Using the Printing Preferences tabs Using the Save Settings menu Using the I Want To menu Using the Toolbar A Resetting printer software settings to defaults Windows 2000 or Windows XP users only: Windows Vista users only: Page Loading paper and original documents Loading paper Loading various paper types Page Page Loading original documents on the scanner glass Page Printing Printing a document Printing high-quality graphics Printing a Web page Printing photos or images from a Web page Printing collated copies Printing the last page first (reverse page order) Printing transparencies Printing envelopes Printing cards Printing multiple pages on one sheet Printing files from a memory card or flash drive Working with photos Retrieving and managing photos Inserting a memory card Inserting a flash drive 1 2 Transferring photos from a memory device to the computer using the control panel Transferring all photos from a memory card using the computer Transferring selected photos from a memory card using the computer Transferring all photos from a CD or flash drive using the computer Transferring selected photos from a CD or flash drive using the computer Transferring photos from a memory card to a flash drive Printing photos using the control panel Printing photos stored on a memory device using the proof sheet Printing all photos Printing photos by number Printing photos by date range Printing photos using color effects Printing photos from a digital camera using DPOF Using a PictBridge-enabled digital camera to control printing photos Printing photos using the computer Viewing / Printing photos from the Photo Library Printing photos from a media device using the computer Printing Photo Packages Creating photo projects Creating Photo Greeting Cards Creating a Photo Slideshow Printing an image as a multiple-page poster Copying Making a copy Adjusting copy quality Copying photos Making borderless copies using the control panel Making a copy lighter or darker Collating copies using the control panel Repeating an image on one page Enlarging or reducing an image Copying a document using the computer Copying a photo using the computer Scanning Scanning a document Scanning to a computer over a network Scanning a document using the computer Scanning text for editing Scanning images for editing Scanning a photo to the Photo Library Scanning multiple photos at one time using the computer Scanning documents or images for e-mailing Removing wavy patterns from scanned photos, magazines, or newspapers Customizing scan settings using the computer Faxing Sending a fax using the software Receiving a fax automatically Maintaining the printer Changing print cartridges Removing a used print cartridge Installing print cartridges Page Achieving better print quality Improving print quality Aligning print cartridges Cleaning the print cartridge nozzles Wiping the print cartridge nozzles and contacts Preserving the print cartridges Cleaning the scanner glass Ordering supplies Ordering print cartridges Ordering paper and other supplies Using genuine Lexmark print cartridges Refilling a print cartridge Recycling Lexmark products Troubleshooting Setup troubleshooting Incorrect language appears on the display Change the language selection during initial setup Select a different language after initial setup Power button is not lit Software does not install Reinstall the software Reconnect power supply Disable anti-virus programs Page does not print Check power Reload paper Check cartridges Reconnect power supply Cannot print from digital camera using PictBridge Enable PictBridge printing from camera Make sure the camera is a PictBridge-enabled digital camera Check USB cable Remove memory cards Print troubleshooting Partial 4 x 6 in. (10 x 15 cm) photo prints when using a PictBridge-enabled digital camera Make sure photo size and paper size are set correctly Improving print quality Check paper Select a higher print quality Check print cartridges Poor text and graphic quality Review steps to improve print quality Remove sheets as they are printed Use a different brand of paper Check paper condition Poor quality at the edges of the page Check minimum print settings Select the Borderless print feature Select the Borderless resize feature (when copying) Select the Borderless photo feature (when printing photos) Print speed is slow Maximize computer processing speed Add memory Select a lower print quality Partial document or photo prints Copy troubleshooting Copier does not respond Scanner unit does not close Poor copy quality Clean the scanner glass Review steps to improve print quality Adjust the brightness of the copy Check quality of original document Scan troubleshooting Scanner does not respond Check power Scan was not successful Check USB cable connection Restart computer Uninstall and reinstall software Scanning takes too long or freezes the computer Jams and misfeeds troubleshooting Paper jam in the printer Paper jam in the paper support Paper or specialty media misfeeds Check paper condition Check paper loading Remove each page as it is printed Memory card troubleshooting Memory card cannot be inserted Nothing happens when memory card is inserted Error messages Alignment Error Remove tape from print cartridge Use new paper Black Ink Low / Color Ink Low / Photo Ink Low Clear Carrier Jam Remove any obstructions Remove print cartridges Computer not connected Check computer connection Check USB cable Check external print server Could not detect a proof sheet Left Cartridge Error / Right Cartridge Error Left Cartridge Incorrect / Right Cartridge Incorrect Left Cartridge Missing / Right Cartridge Missing Memory Failure Reduce memory use No images have been selected No photo/paper size selection has been made No proof sheet information No valid photo image files detected Only one photo enhancement may be chosen at a time Settings are not saved Change time-out settings Save settings for future jobs Resetting to factory default settings Removing and reinstalling the software Notices Edition notice UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT RIGHTS Trademarks Conventions Noise emission levels Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive ENERGY STAR Power consumption Product power consumption Power Saver Off mode Total energy usage End-user license agreement* Index A B C D F G H I J N O P Q R S T U V W