Solving print quality problems

Dirt inside of the printer or improper paper loading may reduce print quality. See the table below to troubleshoot problems.

Condition	Suggested solutions

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

Light or faded		page 8.3. If this does not improve print quality,
Light or faded		install a new toner cartridge.
print		install a new toner cartridge.
print	•	The paper may not meet paper specifications
	•	The paper may not meet paper specifications
AaBbCc		(for example, the paper is too moist or too
AaBbCc		rough). See page 5.3.
AaBbCc		rough). See page 5.3.
AaBbCc	•	If the entire page is light, the print resolution
AaBbCc		setting is too light or toner save mode is on.
AaBbCc		Adjust the print resolution and toner save mode
AaBbCc		in the printer properties. See the Software
		Section.

•A combination of faded or smeared defects may indicate that the printer needs cleaning. See page 8.1.

•The surface of LSU may be dirty. Clean the LSU. See page 8.1.

Toner spots	•	The paper may not meet specifications (for
AaBbCc		example, the paper is too moist or too rough).
AaBbCc		See page 5.3.
AaBbCc	•	The transfer roller or paper path may be dirty.
AaBbCc		See page 8.1.
AaBbCc
AaBbCc
	If generally rounded, faded areas occur randomly
	on the page:
Dropouts	•	A single sheet of paper may be defective. Try
Dropouts		reprinting the job.
		reprinting the job.
AaBbCc	•	The moisture content of the paper is uneven or
AaBbCc		the paper has moist spots on its surface. Try a
AaBbCc		different brand of paper. See page 5.3.
AaBbCc	•	The paper lot is bad. The manufacturing
AaBbCc		processes can cause some areas to reject
AaBbCc	•	toner. Try a different kind or brand of paper.
	•	The toner cartridge may be defective. See
		“Vertical repetitive defects” on the next page.

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

Condition

Suggested solutions

Vertical lines

AaBbCcbc	If black vertical streaks appear on the page:
AaBbCcbc	•	The drum inside the toner cartridge has
AaBbCcbc		probably been scratched. Install a new toner
AaBbCcbc		cartridge.
AaBbCcbc

Gray	If the amount of background shading becomes
background	unacceptable, the procedures below may fix the
	problem.

	AaBbCc	• Change to lighter weight pages. See page 5.3.
	AaBbCc	• Check the printer’s environment; very dry (low
	AaBbCc	humidity) or high humidity (higher than 80%
	AaBbCc	RH) conditions can increase the amount of
	AaBbCc	RH) conditions can increase the amount of
	AaBbCc	background shading.
	AaBbCc	background shading.
	AaBbCc	• Remove the old toner cartridge and install a
		new one. See page 8.3.

Toner smear	•	Clean the inside of the printer. See page 8.1.
	•	Check the type and quality. See page 5.2.
	•	Remove the toner cartridge and install a new
		one. See page 8.3.

	If marks repeatedly appear on the printed side of
Vertical	the page at even intervals:
Vertical	•	The toner cartridge may be damaged. If a
repetitive		repetitive mark occurs on the page, print a
defects		repetitive mark occurs on the page, print a
defects		cleaning sheet several times to clean the
		cleaning sheet several times to clean the
A a B b C c		cartridge; see page 8.2. After the printout, if
A a B b C c		you still have the same problems, install a new
A a B b C c		you still have the same problems, install a new
A a B b C c		toner cartridge. See page 8.3.
A a B b C c	•	Parts of the printer may have toner on them. If
A a B b C c		the defects occur on the back of the page, the
A a B b C c		problem will likely correct itself after a few more
		pages.

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

9.11 <Troubleshooting>

Samsung ML-3470 manual Solving print quality problems