adam's notes

Print Quality Issues

  • If a job prints but the output is smudged, faded, or arrives with unusual marks (print defects)
    • problem is likely to be a printer hardware or media fault
    • causes of print defects tend to be specific to the technology used by the imaging process
    • consult the manufacturer’s documentation and troubleshooting notes

Laser Printer Print Defects

  • Common defects:
    • Faded or faint prints
      • user choosing an option for low density (draft output)
      • toner cartridge needs replacing
    • Blank pages
      • usually an application or driver problem
      • or toner cartridge has been installed without removing its packing seals
      • could also be a sign that the transfer roller is damaged (the image transfer stage fails)
    • White stripes
      • indicates either that the toner is poorly distributed
        • give the cartridge a gentle shake
      • transfer roller is dirty or damaged
    • Black stripes or whole page black
      • indicates that the primary charge roller is dirty or damaged
      • or that the high voltage power supply to the developer unit is malfunctioning
      • Try printing with a known good toner cartridge
    • Speckling on output
      • Loose toner may be getting onto the paper
      • Clean the inside of the printer using an approved toner vacuum
    • Vertical or horizontal lines
      • often due to dirty feed rollers
        • are rollers in the toner cartridge and fuser unit too
      • or a damaged or dirty photosensitive drum
    • Toner not fused to paper
      • Output that smudges easily indicates that the fuser needs replacing
    • Double/echo images
      • sign that the photosensitive drum has not been cleaned properly
      • drum is smaller than the size of a sheet of paper
        • so if the latent image is not completely cleared
        • it will repeat as a light “ghost” or dark “shadow” image farther down the page
      • Images may appear from previous prints
      • Try printing a series of different images, and see if the problem resolves itself
      • If not, replace the drum/toner cartridge
    • Incorrect chroma display
      • If prints come out in the wrong color
        • ensure that the toner cartridges have been installed in the correct location
        • ensure that there is sufficient toner in each cartridge
      • If there is a cast or shadow-like effect
        • transfer belt or one or all of the cartridges or rollers are probably misaligned
        • Try reseating them, and then run the printer calibration utility and print a test page to verify the problem is solved
    • Color missing
      • try replacing the cartridge
      • clean the contacts between the printer and cartridge

Inkjet Prints Defects

  • Lines running through printouts
    • indicate a dirty print head or blocked ink nozzle
    • can usually be fixed by running a cleaning cycle
  • other print quality problems
    • likely to be a media problem
    • persistent marks on output probably indicate a dirty feed roller
  • If the print head jams
    • will probably display a status message or show a flashing LED
    • Try turning the printer off and unplugging it, then turning it back on
  • Inconsistent color output
    • indicates that one of the ink reservoirs is running low
    • or that a print head for one of the color cartridges is completely blocked
    • document does not print in color
      • check that color printing has been selected

Dot Matrix Print Defects

  • Lines in dot matrix printer output
    • indicate a stuck pin in the print head
    • Output can also be affected by the platen position
      • platen adjusts the gap between the paper and the print head to accommodate different paper types
      • can cause faint printing (gap too wide) or smudging (too narrow)

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