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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

Causes

Solutions

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. Then in the "Type:" list, select a proper paper type.

PCL 6

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

PostScript 3

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

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 conditions. 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.

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 [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 "Paper Type:" list.

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

Printing will be performed by the machine's graphic processing function.

PCL 6

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

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.

Select the correct printer driver, and then print the file again.

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.

A solid line is printed as a dashed line or appears blurred.

Dither patterns do not match.

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.

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.

Images appear only partially.

The paper is damp.

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

When paper is not fed properly

Problem

Causes

Solutions

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 "Input Tray:" list.

Images are printed at a slant.

The tray's side fences might not be locked.

Check that the side fences are locked. See "Changing the Paper Size", About This Machine.

Images are printed at a slant.

The paper is feeding in at a slant.

Load the paper correctly. See "Loading Paper", About This Machine.

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 the markings on the paper guides of the bypass tray.

Misfeeds occur frequently.

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

Push the side fences lightly, and then reset them.

Misfeeds occur frequently.

The paper is damp.

Use paper that has been stored in the recommended temperature and humidity conditions. 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 paper is wrinkled or has been folded/creased.

  • Use recommended paper. For details about recommended paper, see "Recommended Paper Sizes and Types", About This Machine.

  • Use paper that has been stored in the recommended temperature and humidity conditions. For details about the proper way to store paper, see "Paper Storage", About This Machine.

Misfeeds occur frequently.

Printed paper is being used.

Do not load sheets that have already been copied or printed onto by another machine.

Misfeeds occur frequently.

Sheets are sticking together.

Fan the sheets thoroughly before loading them. Alternatively, feed the sheets into the machine one at a time.

Sheets are feeding in together, resulting in jams.

Sheets are sticking together.

Fan the sheets thoroughly before loading them. Alternatively, feed the sheets into the machine one at a time.

Copy paper becomes creased.

The paper is damp.

Use paper that has been stored in the recommended temperature and humidity conditions. 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.

Edges of sheets are creased.

The paper is damp.

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

Edges of sheets are creased.

You are using non-recommended paper.

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

Duplex printing is malfunctioning.

You have loaded thick paper heavier than 105 g/m2 (28 lb.).

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]. For details, see "Tray Paper Settings", Network and System Settings ReferenceIllustration indicating instructions stored on a CD-ROM.

Duplex printing is malfunctioning.

You have selected a paper type that cannot be used for duplex print.

In [Tray Paper Settings], select a paper type that can be used for duplex print. For details about the paper types that can be used, see "Duplex Copying", Copy and Document Server ReferenceIllustration indicating instructions stored on a CD-ROM.

The image on the back side of duplex printings has mottled blank patches or is smudged.

Missing patches and smudges are caused by moisture leaking from the paper.

  • Do not install the machine in areas that are susceptible to low temperature.

  • Use paper that has been stored where temperature and humidity conditions meet the limitations we recommend. For details about the paper storage conditions we recommend, see "Paper Storage", About This Machine.

White stripes appear on the OHP.

Fragments of paper are stuck to the OHP.

Use a dry cloth to wipe any paper fragments off the back of the OHP.

Other printing problems

Problem

Causes

Solutions

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:

PCL 5e

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 XP/Vista/7, and Windows Server 2003/2003 R2/2008/2008 R2, 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 XP/Vista/7, and Windows Server 2003/2003 R2/2008/2008 R2, 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 your administrator.

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", Network and System Settings ReferenceIllustration indicating instructions stored on a CD-ROM.

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 "PDF Menu", Printer ReferenceIllustration indicating instructions stored on a CD-ROM, or Web Image Monitor 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 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.