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When You Cannot Print Properly

Toner smears appear on the print side of the page.

  • The paper setting may not be correct. For example, you are using thick paper but the setting for thick paper might not be set.

  • Check the paper settings.

  • Check the printer driver's paper settings. See the printer driver Help.

  • Check that the paper is not curled or bent. Envelopes can easily become curled. For details, see Supported Paper Types

Photo images are coarse.

  • Some applications lower the resolution for making prints.

    Raise the resolution in the settings of the application.

Fine dot patterns do not print.

  • Change the [Dithering:] setting in the printer driver's dialog box.

    For details, see the printer driver Help.

Solid lines are printed as broken lines.

  • Change the [Dithering:] setting in the printer driver's dialog box.

    For details, see the printer driver Help.

The whole printout is blurred.

  • Using the control panel, select [System], [Anti-Humidity], and then set [Anti-Humidity Level] to [Level 2 (Medium)] or [Level 3 (Strong)].

  • The paper is damp, probably due to improper storage. Use dry paper that has been stored properly.

    For details, see Supported Paper Types.

  • If you select [On] for [Economy Color:] on the [Print Quality] menu in the printer properties dialog box, print will be at lower density.

    For details, see the printer driver Help.

  • Print cartridge is almost depleted. When the “Replcmnt Requrd: Print Cart” / "(color)", or “Repl Soon:Prt.Cart.” /"(color)" message appears on the display panel, or the toner indicator on the initial screen shows empty, replace the print cartridge with new print cartridge of the appropriate color.

    For details, see Replacing the Print Cartridge.

  • Condensation may have collected. If rapid change in temperature or humidity occurs, use this printer only after it has acclimatized.

Color shift occurs.

Speckling occurs in areas of solid black print.

  • Select [CMY + K] for [Gray Reproduction (Text/Line Art):] in the printer driver's dialog box.

    For details, see the printer driver Help.

Colors are faded or missing from the bottom part of an image.

White streaks or color streaks appear.

  • Print cartridge is almost depleted. When the “Replcmnt Requrd: Print Cart” / "(color)", or “Repl Soon:Prt.Cart.” /"(color)" message appears on the display panel, or the toner indicator on the initial screen seems empty, replace the print cartridge of the displayed color.

    For details, see Replacing the Print Cartridge.

  • The paper is damp. Use paper that has been stored at a suitable temperature and humidity.

    Specks of paper may be attached to the registration roller. Clean the registration roller.

    For details, see Cleaning the Registration Roller and the Paper Tray.

Images are not printed in the right position.

Illustration of printed position

  • Adjust the printing position.

    Adjust the printing position for each tray by specifying the adjustment values for [Registration] in [Quality Maintenance] under [Maintenance] using the control panel. For details, see Adjusting Printing Position.

  • Adjust the front end paper guide and both side paper guides to match the paper size. See Loading Paper in Trays.

Images are printed at an angle.

Illustration of printed position

  • Adjust the front end paper guide and both side paper guides to match the paper size. See Loading Paper in Trays.

White lines appear.

Illustration of printed position

  • The intermediate transfer belt is dirty.

    Follow the procedure below to clean the belt:

    1 Open the top cover while the power is on.

    2 Remove all print cartridges from the printer.

    3 Close the top cover with both hands carefully.

    The printer performs cleaning automatically. The cleaning process takes approximately 10 seconds.

    4 When cleaning finishes, open the top cover and reinsert all the print cartridges.

    If this procedure does not resolve the problem, contact your sales or service representative.

Horizontal lines appear on the printed paper.

  • Impact can cause lines to appear on printed paper and other malfunctions.

    Protect the printer from impact at all times, especially while it is printing.

  • If lines appear on prints, turn the printer off, wait a few moments, and then turn it back on again. Then, repeat the print job.

The backs of printed sheets are blemished.

  • When removing a jammed sheet, the inside of the printer may have become dirtied. Print several sheets until they come out clean.

  • If document size is larger than paper size, e.g. A4 document on B5 paper, the back of the next printed sheet may be dirtied.

If rubbed with your finger, it smears out.

  • The setting of the paper may not be correct. For example, although thick paper is used, the setting for thick paper may not be set.

    • Check the paper settings of this printer.

      For details, see Supported Paper Types.

    • Check the paper settings of the printer driver.

      For details, see the printer driver Help.

  • The fusing unit is deteriorated or damaged. Replace the unit.

    For details, see Replacing the Maintenance Kit.

When printing on plain paper, white dots are obvious.

After replacing a color print cartridge, colorless dots appear in solid color printouts.