Solving print quality problems

Isolating print quality problems

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

Turn the printer off.
Load Letter- or A4-size paper in the tray.
Hold down and while turning the printer on.
Release the buttons when the screen with the progress bar appears.
The printer performs a power-on sequence, and then the Configuration menu appears.
Touch the down arrow until Print Quality Pages appears.
Touch Print Quality Pages.
The print quality test pages print.
Touch Back.
Touch Exit Configuration.

Blank pages

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

Packing material may be on the print cartridge

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

The toner may be low

When 88 Cartridge low appears, order a new print cartridge.

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

Clipped images

These are possible solutions. 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:

From the printer control panel, check the Paper Size setting from the Paper menu.
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:

From the printer control panel, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.
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:

From the printer control panel, check the Paper Size setting from the Paper menu.
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:

From the printer control panel, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.
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

graphic of two pages with irregular text and art

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:

From the printer control panel, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.
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 print 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.

From the printer control panel, change these settings from the 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:

From the printer control panel, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.
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 print cartridge may be defective

Replace the print 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.

From the printer control panel, change these settings from the 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:

From the printer control panel, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.
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 print cartridge.

The print cartridge may be defective

Replace the print cartridge.

Repeating defects

Repeating marks occur evenly down the page

Replace the charge roll assembly if the defects occur every 28.3 mm (1.11 in.).

Replace the transfer roll assembly if the defects occur every 51.7 mm (2.04 in.).

Replace the print cartridge if the defects occur every:

47.8 mm (1.88 in.)
96.8 mm (3.81 in.)

Replace the fuser if the defects occur every:

88.0 mm (3.46 in.)
95.2 mm (3.75 in.)

If after measuring, you find a defect that does not fit the preceding categories, replace the print cartridge.

Skewed print

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

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

Replace the print cartridge

Install a new print cartridge in case your existing cartridge has become damaged.

Solid black or white streaks

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

Make sure the fill pattern is correct

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

Check the paper type

Try a different type of paper.
Use only transparencies recommended by the printer manufacturer.
Make sure the Paper Type and Paper Texture settings match the paper loaded in the tray or feeder.

Make sure the toner is distributed evenly in the print cartridge

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

The print cartridge may be defective or low on toner

Replace the used print cartridge with a new one.

Solid color pages

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

Make sure the print cartridge is properly installed

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

The print cartridge may be defective or low on toner

Replace the used print cartridge with a new one. If the problem continues, the printer may need to be serviced. For more information, contact Customer Support.

Streaked horizontal lines

These are the 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, select the Default Source from the Paper Menu.
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 print cartridge may be defective

Replace the print cartridge.

The paper path may not be clear

Check the paper path around the print 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

Clean any visible toner from the paper path. If the problem persists, then 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, select the Default Source from the Paper Menu.
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 print cartridge is defective

Replace the print cartridge.

The paper path may not be clear

Check the paper path around the print 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

Clean any visible toner from the paper path. If the problem persists, then contact Customer Support.

Toner fog or background shading appears on the page

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

The print cartridge may be defective

Replace the print cartridge.

The charge roll assembly may be defective

Replace the charge roll assembly.

There is toner in the paper path

Clean any toner from the paper path. If the problem persists, then 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:

From the printer control panel, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.
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 print cartridge may be defective

Replace the print cartridge.

There is toner in the paper path

Clean any toner from the paper path. If the problem persists, then contact Customer Support.

Transparency print quality is poor

Try one or more of the following:

Check the transparencies

Use only transparencies recommended by Lexmark.

Check the paper type setting

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

From the printer control panel, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.
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.