Overview

Occasionally, there could be some issues with print quality. The information in the following document helps to identify and resolve these issues.

Improving print quality

Use the print-quality settings to prevent print-quality problems.

Understanding print-quality settings

Print-quality settings affect how light or dark the print is on the page and the style in which the graphics are printed. Also use the print-quality settings to optimize the print quality for a specific media type.

Change the settings in the device properties to accommodate the types of jobs which are printing. The following settings are available, depending on the printer driver for the printer:

• 600 dpi
• Custom: This setting produces the same resolution as the default setting, but scale patterns can be changed.

To temporarily change print-quality settings

To change the print-quality settings only for the current software program, open the properties through the Print Setup menu in the program.

To change print-quality settings for all future jobs

For Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 2000, and Microsoft Windows Me:

1. In the Windows system tray, click Start , select Settings , and then click Printers .
2. Right-click the device icon.
3. Click Properties (in Microsoft Windows 2000), and click Printing Preferences ).
4. Change the settings, and click OK .

For Microsoft Windows XP:

1. In the Windows system tray, click Start , click Control Panel , and then click Printers and Faxes .
2. Right-click the device icon.
3. Click Properties , or click Printing Preferences .
4. Change the settings, and click OK .

Identifying and correcting print defects

General print-quality problems can be solved by using the following checklist:

1. Make sure that the paper or print media that meets the specifications. Generally, smoother paper provides better results.
2. If a special print media is being used such as labels, transparencies, glossy, or letterhead, ensure that they are printed by type.
3. Print a Configuration page and Supplies Status page at the device.
   • Check the Supplies Status page to see if any supplies are low or empty. No information is provided for non-HP print cartridges.
   • If the pages do not print correctly, the problem is with the hardware. Contact HP Customer Care.
4. Print a Demo page from the HP Toolbox. If the page prints, the problem is with the printer driver. Try printing from the other printer driver. For example, if using the PCL 6 printer driver, print from the PS printer driver.
   • Use the Add Printer Wizard in the Printers (or Printers and Faxes in Microsoft Windows XP) dialog box to install the PS driver.
5. Try printing from a different program. If the page prints correctly, the problem is with the printing program.
6. Restart the computer and the device and try printing again. If the problem is not resolved, choose one of these options:
   • If the problem is affecting all printed pages, see General print quality issues.
   • If the problem is affecting only pages printed in color, see Solving issues with color documents.

General print quality issues

The following examples depict letter-size paper that has passed through the device short edge first. These examples illustrate problems that would affect all of the pages, whether printing in color or in black only. The topics that follow list the typical cause and solution for each of these examples.

Problem	Cause	Solution
Print is light or faded.	The media might not meet HP specifications.	Use media that meets HP specifications. See
	One or more print cartridges might be low. If the Cartridge is non-HP one, no messages appear on the device control panel or in the HP Toolbox.	Replace any low print cartridges.
	The imaging drum might be low.	Print the Supplies Status page to check the remaining life.
	If the light printing is on the left side of the page, the carousel might be dislocated.	Contact the local HP Call Center or HP Authorized Dealer for service.
Toner specks appear.	The media might not meet HP specifications.	Use media that meets HP specifications.
	The paper path might need cleaning.	Clean the paper path.
Dropouts appear.	A single sheet of print media might be defective.	Try reprinting the job.
	The moisture content of the paper is uneven or the paper has moist spots on its surface.	Try different paper, such as high-quality paper that is intended for color laser printers.
	The paper lot is flawed. The manufacturing processes can cause some areas to reject toner.	Try different paper, such as high-quality paper that is intended for color laser printers.
	The imaging drum might be defective.	Replace the imaging drum. If the error persists, contact HP Customer Care.
Vertical streaks or bands appear on the page.	One or more print cartridges might be low or defective. If the Cartridge is non-HP one, no messages appear on the device control panel or in the HP Toolbox.	Replace any low print cartridges.
	The imaging drum might be low.	Click here to go to the Print Defect ruler for more information.
The amount of background toner shading becomes unacceptable.	The media might not meet HP specifications.	Use a different paper with a lighter basis weight.
	Very dry (low humidity) conditions can increase the amount of background shading.	Check the device environment.
	One or more print cartridges might be low. If the Cartridge is non-HP one, no messages appear on the device control panel or in the HP Toolbox.	Replace any low print cartridges.
	The imaging drum might be low.	Replace the imaging drum.
Toner smears appear on the media.	The media might not meet HP specifications.	Use media that meets HP specifications.
	If toner smears appear on the leading edge of the paper, the media guides are dirty, or debris has accumulated in the print path.	Clean the media guides and the paper path.
	The imaging drum might be low.	Replace the imaging drum.
	Media might be jammed in the imaging drum.	Complete the following steps to clear the jam:
The toner smears easily when touched.	The device is not set to print on the type of media on which has to be print.	In the printer driver, select the Paper tab and set Type is to match the type of media on which is used for printing. Print speed might be slower if a heavy paper is used.
	The media might not meet HP specifications.	Use media that meets HP specifications.
	The paper path might need cleaning.	Clean the device.
Marks repeatedly appear at even intervals on the printed side of the page.	The device is not set to print on the type of media on which has to be print.	In the printer driver, select the Paper tab and set Type is to match the type of paper on which is getting printed. Print speed might be slower if a heavy paper is used.
	Internal parts might have toner on them.	The problem typically corrects itself after a few more pages.
	The paper path might need cleaning.	Clean the device.
	The imaging drum might be low.	Click here to go to the Print Defect ruler for more information.
	The fuser might be damaged.	Click here to go to the Print Defect ruler for more information.
Marks repeatedly appear at even intervals on the unprinted side of the page.	Internal parts might have toner on them.	The problem typically corrects itself after a few more pages.
	The paper path might need cleaning.	Click here to go to the Print Defect ruler for more information.
	The imaging drum might be low.	Click here to go to the Print Defect ruler for more information.
	The fuser might be damaged.	Click here to go to the Print Defect ruler for more information.
The printed page contains misformed characters.	The media might not meet HP specifications.	Use a different paper, such as high-quality paper that is intended for color laser printers.
	If characters are incorrectly formed so that they produce a wavy effect, the laser scanner might need service.	Verify that the problem also occurs on the Configuration page. If so, contact HP Customer Care.
The printed page is curled or wavy.	The device is not set to print on the type of media on which has to be print.	In the printer driver, select the Paper tab and set Type is to match the type of paper on which it is getting printed. Print speed might be slower if a heavy paper is used.
	The paper path is curling the media.	Open the rear output door to print to the straight-through paper path.
	The media might not meet HP specifications.	Use a different paper, such as high-quality paper that is intended for color laser printers.
	Both high temperature and humidity can cause paper curl.	Check the device environment.
Text or graphics are skewed on the printed page.	The media might be loaded incorrectly.	Make sure that the paper or other print media is loaded correctly and that the media guides are not too tight or too loose against the stack.
	The media might not meet HP specifications.	Use a different paper, such as high-quality paper that is intended for color laser printers.
The printed page contains wrinkles or creases.	The media might be loaded incorrectly.	Turn over the stack of paper in the input tray, or try rotating the paper 180° in the input tray.
	The media might not meet HP specifications.	Use a different paper, such as high-quality paper that is intended for color laser printers.
	The paper path is curling the media.	Open the rear output door to print to the straight-through paper path.
Toner appears around the printed characters.	The media might be loaded incorrectly.	Turn over the stack of paper in the tray.
	If large amounts of toner have scattered around the characters, the paper might have high resistivity.	Use a different paper, such as high-quality paper that is intended for color laser printers.
An image that appears at the top of the page (in solid black) repeats farther down the page (in a gray field).	Software settings might affect image printing.	In the software program, change the tone (darkness) of the field in which the repeated image appears.
	The order of images printed might affect printing.	Change the order in which the images are printed. For example, have the lighter image at the top of the page, and the darker image farther down the page.
	A power surge might have affected the device.	If the defect occurs later in a print job, turn the device off for 10 minutes, and then turn on the device to restart the print job.

Solving issues with color documents

This section describes issues that can occur when printing in color.

Problem	Cause	Solution
Only black is printing when the document should be printing in color.	Color mode is not selected in the program or printer driver.	Select color mode instead of gray scale mode.
	The correct printer driver might not be selected in the program.	Select the correct printer driver.
	The device might not be correctly configured.	Print a Configuration page. If no color appears on the Configuration page, contact HP Customer Care.
One or more colors are not printing, or are inaccurate.	Sealing tape might be on the print cartridges.	Verify that the sealing tape has been completely removed from the print cartridges.
	The media might not meet HP specifications.	Use a different paper, such as high-quality paper that is intended for color laser printers.
	The device might be operating in excessively humid conditions.	Verify that the device environment is within humidity specifications.
	One or more print cartridges might be low. If the Cartridge is non-HP one, no messages appear on the device control panel or in the HP Toolbox.	Replace any low print cartridges.
A color is printing inconsistently after loading a new print cartridge.	Another print cartridge might be low. If the Cartridge is non-HP one, no messages appear on the device control panel or in the HP Toolbox.	Check the control-panel display or HP Toolbox to see if a print cartridge is low, and replace it if necessary.
	Print cartridges might be incorrectly installed.	Remove the print cartridge for the color that is printing inconsistently and reinstall it.
The colors on the printed page do not match the colors as they appear on the screen.	The colors on the computer monitor might differ from the device output.	Select Screen Match in the Color tab of the printer driver.
	The printer driver might affect color printing.	Try printing from a different program or one of the other printer drivers. For example, if using the PCL 6 printer driver, try the PS printer driver.
	If extremely light colors or extremely dark colors on screen are not printing, the software program might interpret extremely light colors as white or extremely dark colors as black.	If possible, avoid using extremely light or extremely dark colors.
	The media might not meet HP specifications.	Use a different paper, such as high-quality paper that is intended for color laser printers.
The finish on the printed color page is inconsistent.	The media might be too rough.	Use a smooth paper or print media, such as a high-quality paper that is made for color laser printers. Generally, smoother media produces better the results.

Repetitive image defect ruler

Callout	Description	Measurement
1	First occurrence of defect	0 mm (0 inches)
2	Pre-ICL roller	22.1 mm (.87 inches)
3	Developer sleeve	33.9 mm (1.33 inches)
4	ICL roller and Charge roller	ICL Roller 37.9 mm (1.49 inches)
5	RS roller	41.9 mm (1.65 inches)
6	T1 transfer	44.3 mm (1.74 inches)
7	T2 transfer	56.9 mm (2.24 inches)
8	Pressure roller	66.6 mm (2.62 inches)
9	Fuser film	75.6 mm (2.98 inches)
10	Transfer belt drive roller	89.0 mm (3.50 inches)
11	Transfer belt tension roller	90.0 mm (3.54 inches)
12	Cartridge drum	148.3 mm (5.84 inches)