Monochrome Image Quality Problems
I. Introduction
CAUTION: Cartridges are delicate mechanisms requiring gentle handling. Never shake a cartridge
toner can leak out after seals have been removed.
• You use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) approved, letter size, plain bond paper.
CAUTION: Non-approved media can cause imaging problems or damage the printer.
• The printer is used under the environmental conditions for which is was intended.
• You can operate the control panel for menu test prints.
• Paper feeds lengthwise through the printer.
NOTE: Some HP models feed letter pages sideways so print defects repeat across the page rather
than down the page. Examples include LaserJets 5000/5100, 5200, 5500/5550, 5Si, 8000, 8100/8150
and 9000 Series.
• You have another cartridge to cross check against.
Locate the brief description or go directly to the illustration which best fits your print defect and solution.
1. Blank Print Pages Without Error Message
• Toner seal still installed
> Remove Seal
• Cartridge empty
> Replace toner cartridge
• Laser shutter not opening
> Replace toner cartridge
> Laser Scanner Shutter Not Opening Call Service
• HP LaserJet 1160/1320, P2015 only
> Check print cartridge door for broken laser beam shutter tab
> Check for dislodged laser beam shutter
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
2. Blank Printed Pages With error message
• Error code displayed with blank page
> Interpret error code and troubleshoot accordingly
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
3. Light Printing
• “Economode” set to ON
> Turn Economode OFF*
• Print density set too low
> Adjust print density darker
• Cartridge malfunction or out of toner
> Replace toner cartridge
• Bad paper
> Install approved paper
• Transfer roller mounted incorrectly
> Correctly install transfer roller
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
4. Backgrounding
• Incorrect print density setting
> Adjust print density
• Cartridge malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
5. Black Print (Edge to Edge)
• Cartridge malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
6. Fine Vertical Black Line(s) or Irregular Dark Vertical Line(s)
• Cartridge malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• Soiled copy scan lens (copier, fax, mpf, all-in-one only)
> Clean copy scanner lens
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
7. Dark, Fuzzy Vertical Streak(s)
• Cartridge malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• Damaged or Stained Fuser Roller or Sleeve
> Fuser Needs Replacing Call for Service
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
8. Fine Vertical White Line(s)
• Cartridge malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• Blocked laser beam pathway
> Clear laser beam pathway above toner cartridge
• Dirty printer optical mirror
> Get printer service
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
9. White Streak(s)
• Cartridge malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• Dirty or blocked printer optical mirror
> Get printer serviced
10. Horizontal Line(s)
• Cartridge malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
11. Repeating Defects
• 3 to 4 per page (3” to 3.7” or 75mm to 94mm spacing)
> Replace toner cartridge (drum defect)
> Replace fuser (fuser roller/sleeve defect) Call for Service
• 5 to 7 per page (1.3” to 2.5” or 32mm to 63mm spacing)
> Replace toner cartridge (developer defect)
> Replace fuser (fuser roller/sleeve defect)
• 7 per page (1.5” to 1.7” or 38mm to 43mm spacing)
> Replace toner cartridge
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
12. Random Spots or Sprinkles
• Debris in cartridge
> Replace toner cartridge
• Leaking cartridge
> Replace toner cartridge
• Dirty printer
> Vacuum or wipe toner from paper path
> Get printer serviced
13. Ghosting Image
2 to 6 per page spacing
• Cartridge malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
14. Backside Markings
• Lower roller contamination
> Clean transfer roller
> Replace fuser, Call For Service
• Leaking cartridge
> Replace toner cartridge
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
15. Bubbly or Grape-like Pattern
• Cartridge malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• Bad drum grounding in printer chassis
> Get printer service
16. Blurred Print
• Poor print media
> Replace media
• Cartridge malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
17. Banding
• Cartridge malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• Gear jitter, toner on high voltage circuit, contaminated fuser roller
> Get printer service
18. Lead or Trailing Edge Backgrounding
• Stiff or thick media
> Adjust density to darker setting
> Repeat adjusting as needed
> Consult users manual for maximum media thickness
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
19. Character Void(s)
• Poor print media
> Replace media
• High relative humidity
> Replace media
> Consult owners manual for proper environmental conditions
• Damaged fuser roller or sleeve
> Replace fuser Call for Service
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
20. Toner Blasting
• Cartridge malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
21. Compressed Print
• Cardridge Malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• Worn or Broken Gear
> Replace Gear Call for service
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
22. Creases
• Print Media Loaded Incorrectly
> Check Paper Reload Print media
• Fuser Assembly Malfunction
> Replace Fuser Assembly Call For Service
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
23. Distorted Images
• Print Media does not meet with printer specifications
> Try Different Media
• Poor Connectons to engine controller/DC Controller
> Reseat Connections
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
24. Faded Print/Bubbles
• Cardridge Malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• No Drunm Ground
> Check Drum Ground Spring and reconnect it
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
25. Horizontal Smudges
• Paper-path Contamination
> Replace Toner Cartridge
> Replace Fuser Assembly Call For Service
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
26. Loose Toner
• Wrong Fuser Setting For paper Type
> Change Fuser Mode For Proper Media Type
• Cartridge Malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• Fuser Assembly Malfunction
> Replace Fuser Assembly Call For Service
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
27. Misshapen Characters
• Fuser Assembly Malfunction (Bad Fusing of Toner to media)
> Replace Fuser Assembly Call For Service
• Dirty, Finger Oil or Worn-out Transfer Roller Assembly
> Replace Transfer Roller Call for Service
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
28. Partial Blank Page
• Dirty Shutter or Scanner Mirror
> Clean Mirror on Scanner
• Shutter Not Opening Correctly
> Check shutter for Proper Operation
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
29. Skew/Faulty Registration
• Media Guides In Tray In Wrong Position
> Correct Guides to Proper Position
• Pickup/Feed Rollers are Worn
> Replace Rollers
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
30. Tire Tracks
• Cartridge Worn Out
> Replace toner cartridge
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
31. Toner Smear
• Cartridge Malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• Wrong Fuser Setting For paper Type
> Change Fuser Mode For Proper Media Type
• Fuser Assembly Malfunction
> Replace Fuser Assembly Call For Service
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
32. Vertical Dots
• Deformed or Deteriorated Transfer Roller
> Replace Transfer Roller Assembly Call For Service
• Contaminated Contacts
> Clean Contacts
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
33. White Spots On Black
• Cartridge Malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• Fuser Assembly Malfunction
> Replace Fuser Assembly Call For Service
• High Voltage Power Supply Malfunction
> Replace High Voltage Power Supply Call For Service
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
34. White Stripes Parallel To Path
• Cartridge Malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
35. Blank Spots
• Cartridge Malfunction
> Replace toner cartridge
• Dirty, Finger Oil or Worn-out Transfer Roller Assembly
> Replace Transfer Roller Call for Service
• If Not Resolved Call For Service
36. Curl
• Print Media Does Not meet Printer Specifications
> Replace Media
• Print Media Stored Improperly
> Replace Media
> Store Media In Different Place
• Wrong Fuser Setting For paper Type
> Change Fuser Mode For Proper Media Type