Printing quality problems

If the inside of the machine is dirty or paper has been loaded improperly, you may notice a reduction in print quality. See the table below to clear the problem.

Condition

Suggested solutions

 

 

Light or faded print If a vertical white streak or faded area appears on the page:

• The toner supply is low. You may be able to temporarily extend the toner cartridge life. See page 13.4. If this does not improve the print quality, install a new toner cartridge.

• The paper may not meet paper specifications; for example, the paper is too moist or too rough. See page 5.8.

If the entire page is light, the print resolution setting is too low or the toner save mode is on. Adjust the print resolution and turn the toner save mode off. See the help screen of the printer driver and page 2.4, respectively.

A combination of faded or smeared defects may indicate that the toner cartridge needs cleaning. See page 13.5.

The surface of the LSU part inside the machine may be dirty. Clean the LSU. See page 13.2.

Toner specks

The paper may not meet specifications; for

 

 

example, the paper is too moist or too rough.

 

 

See page 5.8.

 

The transfer roller may be dirty. Clean the

 

 

inside of your machine. See page 13.2.

 

The paper path may need cleaning. See page

 

 

13.2.

Dropouts

If faded areas, generally rounded, occur

 

randomly on the page:

• A single sheet of paper may be defective. Try reprinting the job.

• The moisture content of the paper is uneven or the paper has moist spots on its surface. Try a different brand of paper. See page 5.8.

• The paper lot is bad. The manufacturing processes can cause some areas to reject toner. Try a different kind or brand of paper.

If these steps do not correct the problem, contact a service representative.

Condition

 

Suggested solutions

Vertical lines

If black vertical streaks appear on the page:

 

The drum inside the toner cartridge has

 

 

probably been scratched. Remove the toner

 

 

cartridge and install a new one. See

 

 

page 13.5.

 

If white vertical streaks appear on the page:

 

The surface of the LSU part inside the

 

 

machine may be dirty. Clean the LSU. See

 

 

page 13.2.

Gray background

If the amount of background shading becomes

 

unacceptable:

 

Change to a lighter weight paper. See

 

 

page 5.8.

 

Check the machine’s environment: very dry

 

 

(low humidity) or high humidity (higher than

 

 

80% RH) conditions can increase the amount

 

 

of background shading.

 

Remove the old toner cartridge and install a

 

 

new one. See page 13.5.

Toner smear

Clean the inside of the machine. See

 

 

 

page 13.2.

 

 

 

 

 

Check the paper type and quality. See

 

 

 

page 5.8.

Remove the toner cartridge and install a new one. See page 13.5.

Vertical repetitive

If marks repeatedly appear on the printed side of

defects

the page at even intervals:

• The toner cartridge may be damaged. If a repetitive mark occurs on the page, print a cleaning sheet several times to clean the cartridge; see page 13.5. After the printout, if you still have the same problems, remove the toner cartridge and install a new one. See page 13.5.

• Parts of the machine may have toner on them. If the defects occur on the back of the page, the problem will likely correct itself after a few more pages.

The fusing assembly may be damaged. Contact a service representative.

14.13 <Troubleshooting>