Isolating print quality problems

To help isolate print quality problems, print the print quality test pages:

1. Turn the printer off.

2. Load Letter- or A4-size paper in the tray.

3. Hold down and while turning the printer on.

4. Release the buttons when the screen with the progress bar appears.

   The printer performs a power-on sequence, and then the Configuration menu appears.

5. Touch the down arrow until Print Quality Pages appears.

6. Touch Print Quality Pages.

   The print quality test pages print.

7. Touch Back.

8. Touch Exit Configuration.

Blank pages

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

Packing material may be on the toner cartridge

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

The toner may be low

When 88 Cartridge Low appears, order a new toner cartridge.

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

Clipped images

Try one or more of the following:

Check the guides

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

Check 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.

Ghost images

Check the paper type setting

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

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.

Gray background

Check the Toner Darkness setting

Select a lighter Toner Darkness setting:

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

• For Windows users, change the setting from Print Properties.

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

Incorrect margins

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

Check the paper guides

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

Check 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.

Paper curl

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

Check the paper type setting

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

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.

The paper has absorbed moisture due to high humidity

• Load paper from a fresh package.

• Store paper in its original wrapper until you use it.

Print irregularities

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

The 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.

Check the paper type setting

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

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.

Check the paper

Avoid textured paper with rough finishes.

The toner may be low

When 88 Cartridge Low appears or when the print becomes faded, replace the toner cartridge.

The fuser may be worn or defective

Replace the fuser.

Print is too dark

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

Check the darkness, brightness, and contrast settings

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

• Change these settings from the printer control panel Quality menu.

• For Windows users, change these settings from Print Properties.

• For Macintosh users, change these settings from the Print dialog and pop-up menus.

The paper has absorbed moisture due to high humidity

• Load paper from a fresh package.

• Store paper in its original wrapper until you use it.

Check the paper

Avoid textured paper with rough finishes.

Check the paper type setting

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

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.

The toner cartridge may be defective

Replace the toner cartridge.

Print is too light

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

Check the darkness, brightness, and contrast settings

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

• Change these settings from the printer control panel Quality menu.

• For Windows users, change these settings from Print Properties.

• For Macintosh users, change these settings from the Print dialog and pop-up menus.

The paper has absorbed moisture due to high humidity

• Load paper from a fresh package.

• Store paper in its original wrapper until you use it.

Check the paper

Avoid textured paper with rough finishes.

Check the paper type setting

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

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.

The toner is low

When 88 Cartridge Low appears, order a new toner cartridge.

The toner cartridge may be defective

Replace the toner cartridge.

Repeating defects

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

Replace the transfer roller if the defects occur every:

58.7 mm (2.31 in.)

Replace the photoconductor if the defects occur every:

44 mm (1.73 in.)

Replace the fuser if the defects occur every:

• 78.5 mm (3.09 in.)

• 94.2 mm (3.71 in.)

Skewed print

Check the paper guides

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

Check the paper

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

Solid black or white streaks appear on transparencies or paper

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

Ensure that the fill pattern is correct

If the fill pattern is incorrect, choose a different fill pattern from your software program.

Check the paper type

• Try a different type of paper.

• Use only the recommended transparencies.

• Ensure that the Paper Type setting matches what is loaded in the tray or feeder.

• Ensure that the Paper Texture setting is correct for the type of paper or specialty media loaded in the tray or feeder.

Ensure that the toner is distributed evenly within the toner cartridge

Remove the toner cartridge and shake it from side to side to redistribute the toner, and then reinstall it.

The toner cartridge may be defective or low on toner

Replace the used toner cartridge with a new one.

Streaked horizontal lines

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

The toner is smeared

Select another tray or feeder to feed the paper for the job:

• From the printer control panel Paper Menu, select the 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.

The toner cartridge may be defective

Replace the toner cartridge.

The paper path may not be clear

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.

There is toner in the paper path

Contact Customer Support.

Streaked vertical lines

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

The toner is smeared

Select another tray or feeder to feed paper for the job:

• From the printer control panel Paper Menu, select the 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.

The toner cartridge is defective

Replace the toner cartridge.

The paper path may not be clear

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.

There is toner in the paper path

Contact Customer Support.

Toner fog or background shading appears on the page

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

The toner cartridge may be defective

Replace the toner cartridge.

The charge rolls may be defective

Replace the charge rolls.

There is toner in the paper path

Contact Customer Support.

Toner rubs off

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

Check the paper type setting

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

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.

Check the Paper Texture setting

From the printer control panel Paper menu, make sure the Paper Texture setting matches the paper loaded in the tray.

Toner specks

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

The toner cartridge may be defective

Replace the toner cartridge.

There is toner in the paper path

Contact Customer Support.

Transparency print quality is poor

Try one or more of the following:

Check the transparencies

Use only transparencies recommended by the printer manufacturer.

Check the paper type setting

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

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.