Prints are Unsatisfactory

This section explains how to troubleshoot the printer when printing is uneven (due to the wrong amount of ink being used) or when prints are smudged, smeared, or blotchy.

Have you printed the nozzle check test pattern?

Print the nozzle check test pattern to check whether the print head nozzles are all ejecting ink properly, and, if necessary, carry out head cleaning or head-flushing. The procedure is as follows:

Print the nozzle check test pattern.
If the pattern is patchy, clean the print head, print the pattern again, and then check the result.
Do not use the printer for 5 to 10 minutes then, print the nozzle check test pattern again, and then check the result.
Clean the print head and print the nozzle check test pattern, clean and print a second time, and then check the result.
If the pattern is still patchy, flush the print head, print the pattern again, and then check the result.
Do not use the printer for 5 to 10 minutes, print the nozzle check test pattern again, and then check the result.
If the pattern is still patchy, switch the printer off, do not use it for about 8 hours, switch it back on, print the nozzle check test pattern, and then check the result.

If the pattern is still patchy, contact your sales or service representative.

See Nozzle Check, Head-cleaning and Head-flushing.

Does the envelope selector setting match?

Set the envelope selector according to the type of paper. For envelopes, set the lever to the rear position; for everything else, set the lever to the forward position. See Envelope Selector Position Mismatch.

Has the printer not been used for a long time?

The ink may be dry or the nozzles of the print heads may be clogged. Print the nozzle check test pattern and clean the print heads as necessary. See Nozzle Check, Head-cleaning.

Have you changed the envelope selector setting?

Depending on the thickness of the envelopes, changing the envelope selector setting might result in blurred or double lines being printed. If you switch the envelope selector to, be sure to select [Head Position], as this will position the print heads correctly. If you switch the envelope selector to, be sure to select the [Uni-directional printing only] check box in the printer properties dialog box.

Have the print heads been aligned?

Blurred or double lines indicate the print heads are incorrectly positioned. Resolve this by switching the envelope selector to and then selecting [Head Position]. If the problem persists, print the nozzle check test pattern and clean the print heads as necessary. See Head Position, Nozzle Check and Head-cleaning.

Is there a problem with the printer's location?

Make sure that the printer is level. Place the printer in a location where it will not be subject to shaking or excessive force.

Have you performed registration?

Perform registration if the print start point indicates misalignment.

After attaching the paper feed unit, and the bypass tray, you must register where to start printing on paper loaded in each paper tray. See Registration.

Have you changed the paper feed setting?

If horizontal lines are printed unaligned, print images are patchy, or a black or white line is printed at regular intervals, print a test pattern, and then adjust the paper feed setting. Adj.Paper Feed.

Does the paper type setting match?

Make sure that the paper type setting of the printer driver matches the type of paper loaded.

Are you printing on the wrong side of the paper?

Check which side should be printed on when using inkjet plain paper. If you print on the wrong side, the quality of the printing may be lower and the inside of the printer may get dirty. See Paper Handling Precautions, Compatible Paper Types

Is the paper being used too thick or thin?

Check if the paper is compatible. The print heads will rub against paper that is too thick or thin, and this will cause smearing. See Loadable Paper Sizes and Quantities.

Have you touched the printed side of paper?

Avoid touching the printed side of paper. Particularly, avoid touching glossy paper that have just been printed because these require longer than normal to dry. Remove them one at a time from the output ramp without touching the printed side, and then let them dry fully. See Paper Handling Precautions.

Is the paper loaded in the correct orientation?

Some paper cannot be loaded lengthwise depending on the size of the paper. Check the orientation in which the paper is loaded. See Loadable Paper Sizes and Quantities.

Are you printing densely colored images on both sides of paper?

When a large amount of ink is used to completely cover a side, one-sided printing is recommended.