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.

Characters have jagged or uneven edges

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

Check the print quality settings

• Change the Print Resolution setting in the Quality menu to 600 dpi, 1200 Image Q, 1200 dpi, or 2400 Image Q.

• Enable Enhance Fine Lines in the Quality menu.

Make sure downloaded fonts are supported

If you are using downloaded fonts, then verify that the fonts are supported by the printer, the host computer, and the software program.

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:

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 or Print 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, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.

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 or Print 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, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.

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, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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

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.

Print is too dark

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

Check the darkness settings

The Toner Darkness setting is too dark.

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

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

• For Macintosh users, change this setting 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, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.

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.

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 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, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.

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, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.

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.