When You Cannot Make Clear Copies

Copies appear dirty.

Image density is too high.

Adjust the image density settings. For details about image density settings, see "Adjusting Copy Image Density", Copy/ Document Server.

Copies appear dirty.

Auto Image Density is not selected.

On the control panel, select [Auto Density].

Copies contain blots or are patchy.

• Depending on the type of paper, images to be printed, or the print quality, the print-head may scratch the paper, causing the ink to smear.

• Images may be too light to appear on coarse or treated paper.

Use recommended paper. For details about recommended paper, see "Recommended Paper", Paper Specifications and Adding Paper.

Copies contain blots or are patchy.

The ink may be dry or the nozzles of the print-heads may be clogged, preventing effective discharge.

If the machine has been left unused for a long time, print the nozzle check pattern to check whether a nozzle is misfiring, and then perform head cleaning, if necessary. For details about maintaining the machine, see Maintenance.

Copies contain blots or are patchy.

Ink on printed surfaces is not dry.

• Depending on the type of paper, images to be printed, or the print quality, ink on printed surfaces might take longer than normal to dry. When this happens, set a longer time for the ink to dry. For details about Sheet-dry Print Delay, see "Tray Paper Settings", Connecting the Machine/ System Settings.

• Do not touch printed surfaces immediately after copying. Remove freshly printed sheets one by one, taking care not to touch areas of print, and then allow the sheets to dry completely.

Copies contain blots or are patchy.

• The print density is too high.

• The paper is too thick or curled.

• Adjust the image density settings. For details about image density settings, see "Adjusting Copy Image Density", Copy/ Document Server.

• Set Prevent Paper Abrasion mode. For details about Prevent Paper Abrasion mode, see Checking Whether the Print-heads Scratch the Paper.

Image blurs or double lines appear.

The print-heads are misaligned.

Adjust the head positions. If they are still misaligned, print the nozzle check pattern to check whether a nozzle is misfiring, and then perform head cleaning, if necessary. For details about maintaining the machine, see Maintenance.

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

[High Speed Copy] is specified.

Cancel [High Speed Copy]. For details about High Speed Copy, see "High Speed Copy", Copy/ Document Server.

The image is too dark or too light.

The expiration date of the print cartridge has passed.

Open the print cartridge and use it before the expiration date.

Image is dirty or bleeds.

Use of non-recommended cartridges and cartridge refill ink can result in loss of print quality and other problems.

Use manufacturer-genuine cartridges. Contact your service representative.

Fine ink blots dirty the area around large single color images or ink heavy images.

Fine ink blots may appear on the paper when Prevent Paper Abrasion mode is enabled.

• Cancel Prevent Paper Abrasion mode. For details about Prevent Paper Abrasion mode, see Checking Whether the Print-heads Scratch the Paper.

• Cancel [High Speed Copy]. For details about High Speed Copy, see "High Speed Copy", Copy/ Document Server.

The reverse side of an original image is copied.

Image density is too high.

Adjust the image density settings. For details about image density settings, see "Adjusting Copy Image Density", Copy/ Document Server.

The reverse side of an original image is copied.

Auto Image Density is not selected.

On the control panel, select [Auto Density].

The reverse side of an original image is copied.

The original is thin.

On the control panel, select [Auto Density], or adjust the image density settings. For details about image density settings, see "Adjusting Copy Image Density", Copy/ Document Server.

A shadow appears on copies if you use pasted originals.

Image density is too high.

• Adjust the image density settings. For details about image density settings, see "Adjusting Copy Image Density", Copy/ Document Server.

• Select [Highlight Pen] for "Original Type". This can reduce the shadow levels of the pasted areas. For details about selecting the original type, see "Selecting the Original Type", Copy/ Document Server.

• Change the orientation of the original.

• Put mending tape on the pasted part.

The same copy area is dirty whenever making copies.

The exposure glass or platen plate is dirty.

Clean them. For details about how to clean the machine, see "Maintaining Your Machine", Maintenance and Specifications.

The same copy area is dirty whenever making copies.

• The original that has already been printed is scanned.

• "Original Type" is set to [Text / Photo], and an original with text and photographs that can hardly be distinguished from each other is loaded.

On the control panel, in [Others], press [Generation Copy], and then begin copying.

Copies are too light.

Image density is too light.

Adjust the image density settings. For details about image density settings, see "Adjusting Copy Image Density", Copy/ Document Server.

Copies are too light.

A light copy may result when you use damp or rough grain paper.

• Use recommended paper. For details about recommended paper, see "Recommended Paper", Paper Specifications and Adding Paper.

• 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", Paper Specifications and Adding Paper.

Parts of images are not copied.

The original is not set correctly.

Set originals correctly. For details about how to set originals, see "Placing Originals", Paper Specifications and Adding Paper.

Parts of images are not copied.

The correct paper size is not selected.

Select a proper paper size. For details about how to change the paper size, see "Changing the Paper Size", Paper Specifications and Adding Paper.

Colored lines appear.

The exposure glass or platen plate is dirty.

Clean them. For details about how to clean the machine, see "Maintaining Your Machine", Maintenance and Specifications.

Black lines appear.

The exposure glass or platen plate is dirty.

Clean them. For details about how to clean the machine, see "Maintaining Your Machine", Maintenance and Specifications.

White lines appear.

The exposure glass or platen plate is dirty.

Clean them. For details about how to clean the machine, see "Maintaining Your Machine", Maintenance and Specifications.

White lines appear.

Paper feed has not been adjusted.

Adjust the paper feed according to the paper input location. Print the test sheet, and then adjust the paper feed accordingly. For details about adjusting the paper feed, see Adjust Paper Feed.

White lines appear.

A nozzle might be misfiring.

If the machine has been left unused for a long time, print the nozzle check pattern to check whether a nozzle is misfiring, and then perform head cleaning, if necessary. For details about maintaining the machine, see Maintenance.

Vertical colored or white lines appear.

The machine is in a location exposed to direct sunlight.

• Close the curtains or blinds on the window to block direct sunlight.

• Move the machine to a location that is not exposed to direct sunlight.

For details about the optimum environmental conditions for the machine, see "Optimum Environmental Conditions After Moving the Machine", Maintenance and Specifications.

Black or white streaks appear on copies.

The original is dusty.

Clean the original, and then try copying again. Be particularly careful when using the following types of original:

• Hand drawn or drawn on with other forms of pencil or pen, such as a plotter.

• Film, translucent paper, or other originals that attract static electricity.

• Very long originals.

Black or white streaks appear on copies.

The exposure glass or platen plate is dirty.

Clean them. For details about how to clean the machine, see "Maintaining Your Machine", Maintenance and Specifications.

The reverse side of paper becomes dirty.

The machine's internal components are dirty.

Clean the paper output location and the platen. For details about how to clean the paper output location and the platen, see "Cleaning the Platen", Maintenance and Specifications.

Copies are blank.

The original is not set correctly.

Set originals correctly. For details about how to set originals, see "Placing Originals", Paper Specifications and Adding Paper.

A moire pattern is produced on copies.

The original has a dot pattern image or many lines.

Place the original at a slight angle.

Wrinkles appear on the copy.

The paper is damp.

Replace the paper with new paper.