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Other Printing Problems

This section describes likely causes of and possible solutions for problems that can occur when printing from a computer.

When you cannot print clearly

Problem

Cause

Solution

The printed image is smudged.

Settings for thick paper have not been made when printing on thick paper in the bypass tray.

PCL 5e

On the printer driver's [Paper] tab, select [Bypass Tray] in the "Input Tray:" list. And then in the "Type:" list, select "Thick 1-2".

PCL 6

On the printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Paper] in the "Menu:", and select [Bypass Tray] in the "Input Tray:" list. And then in the "Paper Type:" list, select "Thick 1-2".

PostScript 3

On the printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Paper] in the "Menu:", and select [Bypass Tray] in the "Paper Source:" list. And then in the "Media Type:" list, select "Thick 1-2".

The printed image is faded over the entire page.

When is blinking, toner is beginning to run out.

Add toner. See Adding Toner.

The printed image is faded over the entire page.

The paper is damp.

Use paper that has been stored in the recommended temperature and humidity condition. See "Paper Storage", About This Machine.

The printed image is faded over the entire page.

The paper is unsuitable.

Use recommended paper. Printing on coarse or treated paper might result in faint print image. See "Recommended Paper Sizes and Types", About This Machine.

The printed image is faded over the entire page.

If the [Toner Saving] is selected in the printer driver settings, the entire page will be faded when printed.

PCL 5e

On the printer driver's [Print Quality] tab, select [Off] in the "Toner Saving" area.

PCL 6

On the printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Print Quality] in the "Menu:", and then select [Off] in the "Toner Saving:" list.

PostScript 3

On the printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Print Quality] in the "Menu:", and then select [Off] in the "Print Mode" list.

Images smudge when rubbed. (Toner is not fixed.)

The specified paper type and the paper that is actually loaded might be different. For example, thick paper might be loaded but not specified as the paper type.

PCL 5e

On the printer driver's the [Paper] tab, select a proper paper type in the [Type:] list.

PCL 6

On the printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Paper] in the "Menu:", and then select a proper paper type in the "Paper Type:" list.

PostScript 3

On the printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Paper] in the "Menu:", and then select a proper paper type in the "Media Type:" list.

The printed image is different from the image on the computer's display.

With certain functions, such as enlargement and reduction, image layout might be different to that on the computer display.

In the application, change the layout, character size, and character settings.

White lines appear.

When is blinking, toner is beginning to run out.

Add toner. See Adding Toner.

When printing graphics, the output and the screen are different.

If the printer driver is configured to use the graphics command, the graphics command from the machine is used to print.

If you want to print accurately, set the printer driver to print without using the graphics command. See the printer driver Help.

Lines of garbled or unwanted alphanumeric characters appear.

An incorrect printer language might have been selected.

Set the correct printer language.

Images are cut off, or excess is printed.

You may be using paper smaller than the size selected in the application.

Use the same size paper as that selected in the application. If you cannot load paper of the correct size, use the reduction function to reduce the image, and then print. See the printer driver Help.

Photo images are coarse.

Some applications print at lower resolution.

Use the application's settings to specify a higher resolution.

Fine dot patterns are not printed, or solid lines are printed as broken lines.

Dither patterns do not match.

Only when using PostScript 3

On the Printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Print Quality] in the "Menu:", and then change the "Dithering" setting.

Fine lines are fuzzy, of inconsistent thickness, or do not appear.

Super fine lines have been specified in the application.

Only when using PostScript 3

On the Printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Print Quality] in the "Menu:", and then change the "Dithering" setting.

If the problem continues after you change the dithering settings, use the settings of the application in which the image was created to change the thickness of the lines.

When paper is not fed properly

Problem

Cause

Solution

Paper is not fed from the selected tray.

When you are using a Windows operating system, printer driver settings override those settings using the display panel.

PCL 5e

On the printer driver's [Paper] tab, select the desired input tray in the "Input Tray:" list.

PCL 6

On the Printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Paper] in the "Menu:", select the desired input tray in the "Input Tray:" list.

PostScript 3

On the Printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Paper] in the "Menu:", select the desired input tray in the "Paper Source:" list.

Images are printed at a slant.

The tray's side fences might not be locked.

Check the side fences are locked. See Changing the Paper Size.

Images are printed at a slant.

The paper is feeding in at a slant.

Load the paper correctly. See Loading Paper.

Misfeeds occur frequently.

The number of sheets loaded exceeds the capacity of the machine.

Load paper only as high as the upper limit markings on the side fences of the paper tray or bypass tray.

Misfeeds occur frequently.

The paper is damp.

Use paper that has been stored in the recommended temperature and humidity condition. See "Paper Storage", About This Machine.

Misfeeds occur frequently.

The paper is too thick or too thin.

Use recommended paper. See "Recommended Paper Sizes and Types", About This Machine.

Misfeeds occur frequently.

The copy paper is wrinkled or has been folded/creased.

Use recommended paper only and be sure its storage environment meets the recommended temperature and humidity conditions. For details about recommended paper and the proper way to store it, see "Recommended Paper Sizes and Types" and "Paper Storage", About This Machine.

Misfeeds occur frequently.

Printed paper is being used.

Do not use paper that has been already copied or printed onto.

Misfeeds occur frequently.

The paper tray's side fences are set too tightly.

Push the side fences lightly, and then reset it. Also, we recommend you set at least 20 sheets of thick paper.

Copy paper becomes creased.

The paper is damp.

Use paper that has been stored in the recommended temperature and humidity condition. See "Paper Storage", About This Machine.

Copy paper becomes creased.

The paper is too thin.

Use recommended paper. See "Recommended Paper Sizes and Types", About This Machine.

Duplex printing is malfunctioning.

Duplex printing cannot be done with paper set in the bypass tray.

When using duplex printing, make settings to use paper from a tray other than the bypass tray.

Duplex printing is malfunctioning.

You have loaded thick paper heavier than 169 g/m2.

Change the paper.

Duplex printing is malfunctioning.

[Apply Duplex] is set to [No] for "Paper Type".

In [Tray Paper Settings], under "Paper Type", set [Apply Duplex] to [Yes].

Duplex printing is malfunctioning.

You cannot select duplex printing if the paper thickness is set to [Thick Paper 2].

In [Tray Paper Settings], under "Paper Type", select a paper thickness other than [Thick Paper 2].

Other printing problems

Problem

Cause

Solution

It takes a long time to complete a print job.

"Sleep mode" might be set.

The machine requires time to warm up if it has been in "Sleep mode". In [System Settings], under [Timer Settings], select [Auto Off Timer], and then specify "Sleep mode".

It takes a long time to complete a print job.

Photographs and other data intensive pages take a long time for the machine to process, so simply wait when printing such data.

If the Data In indicator is blinking, data has been received by the printer. Wait for a moment.

Changing the following settings with the printer driver may help speed up printing:

Only when using PCL5e

On the printer driver's [Print Quality] tab, select a lower resolution in the "Resolution" area.

Images are printed in the wrong orientation.

The feed orientation you selected and the feed orientation selected in the printer driver's option setup might not be the same.

Set the machine's feed orientation and the printer driver's feed orientation accordingly. See the printer driver Help.

When using Windows 2000/ XP/ Vista and Windows Server 2003/ 2003 R2/2008, optional components connected to the machine are not recognized.

Bidirectional communication is not working.

Set up optional devices on the Properties of the printer. See the printer driver Help.

When using Windows 2000/ XP/ Vista and Windows Server 2003/ 2003 R2/2008, combined printing, booklet printing, or Auto Reduce / Enlarge printing does not come out as expected.

The correct application or printer driver settings are not made.

Make sure the application's paper size and orientation settings match those of the printer driver. If a different paper size and orientation are set, select the same size and orientation.

A print instruction was issued from the computer, but printing did not start.

User Authentication may have been set.

Contact the administrators.

The print job is not canceled even when the machine is switched to offline status.

Even when the machine is offline, printing is performed when [Job Acceptance Priority] has been set in [Parallel Interface] in the [Interface Settings] in the [System Settings] menu.

Change the setting of Signal Control to Printer priority. See "Interface Settings", General Settings Guide.

PDF files do not print out/cannot perform PDF direct print.

PDF files are password-protected.

To print password-protected PDF files, enter the password in the [PDF Menu] or on Web Image Monitor. For details, see "Printing a PDF File Directly", Printer Reference, or the Web Image Monitor's Help.

PDF files do not print out/cannot perform PDF direct print.

PDF files cannot be printed if they are print-disabled in PDF file security setting.

Change the PDF file security setting.

PDF files do not print out/cannot perform PDF direct print.

High compression PDF files created using the machine's scanner function cannot print directly.

Open the application used to create the PDF, and then print the file using the application's driver.

Re-save the file in normal (non-compressed) PDF format.

Some types of High Compression PDF files are not supported. Consult your sales representative about the supported file types.

PDF direct print produces strange or malformed characters.

Fonts were not embedded.

Embed fonts in the PDF file you want to print and then print.

Printing by Bluetooth is slow.

The number of jobs exceeds the capacity of the machine.

Reduce the number of jobs.

Printing by Bluetooth is slow.

  • A communication error might have occurred.

  • Interference from the wireless LAN devices can reduce communication speed.

  • Bluetooth transmission speeds are not high.

  • Remove the machine from close proximity with the wireless LAN devices.

  • If there are active wireless LAN devices or other Bluetooth devices nearby, relocate the machine or disable those devices.

If the problem cannot be solved, contact your service representative.