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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 for printing on thick paper in the bypass tray.

PCL 5c

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 "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 "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. For details about the paper storage conditions we recommend, see "Paper Storage", Paper Specifications and Adding Paper.

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

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.

Only when using PostScript 3

On the printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Print Quality:Standard] in "Menu:", and then select [Off] in the "Toner Saving:" 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 5c

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

PCL 6

On the printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Paper] in "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 "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.

Only when using PCL 6

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

When graphics are printed, 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. For details about settings for printer driver, see the printer driver Help.

White lines appear.

The dustproof glass is dirty.

Clean the dustproof glass. For details about how to clean the dustproof glass, see "Cleaning the Dustproof Glass", Maintenance and Specifications.

Images are smudged.

Images may be smudged if a print side rubs against things such as the corner of the machine.

Retrieve prints carefully from the output tray, so that the print side does not touch any part of the machine. If you are making many prints, retrieve them in small batches.

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 margins are 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. For details about reduction function, see the printer driver Help.

There are white gaps between black letters/objects and the letters/objects that are placed in a colored background.

Registration shifting has occurred.

PCL 5c

On the printer driver's [Print Quality] tab, select "Manual" in the "Color" area. Click [Advanced...], and then select the "Black Over Print" check box.

PCL 6

On the printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Print Quality:Advanced] in "Menu:". Select the "Black Over Print" check box.

PostScript 3

On the printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Print Quality:Advanced] in "Menu:". Select the "Black Over Print" check box.

Photo images are coarse.

Some applications print at lower resolution.

Use the application's settings or printer driver's settings to specify a higher resolution. For details about printer driver's settings, see the printer driver Help.

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

Dither patterns do not match.

Change the dithering settings on the printer driver. For details about the dithering settings, see the printer driver Help.

Fine or inconsistently thick lines appear, or fine lines do not appear.

Extremely fine lines have been specified, or a color that is too light has been specified for the lines.

Change the dithering settings on the printer driver. For details about the dithering settings, see the printer driver Help.

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. For details about the paper storage conditions we recommend, see "Paper Storage", Paper Specifications and Adding Paper.

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 applied to the display panel.

PCL 5c

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 "Menu:", select the input tray you want to use in the "Input Tray:" list.

PostScript 3

On the Printer driver's [Detailed Settings] tab, click [Paper] in "Menu:", select the input tray you want to use 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. For details about how to set the side fences, see "Changing the Paper Size", Paper Specifications and Adding Paper.

Images are printed at a slant.

The paper is fed in at a slant.

Load the paper correctly. For details about loading paper, see "Loading Paper", Paper Specifications and Adding 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 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. For details about the paper storage conditions we recommend, see "Paper Storage", Paper Specifications and Adding Paper.

Misfeeds occur frequently.

The paper is too thick or thin.

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

Misfeeds occur frequently.

The paper is wrinkled or has been folded or creased.

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

Misfeeds occur frequently.

Printed paper is being used.

Do not load sheets that have already been copied or printed.

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.

Misfeeds occur frequently.

You have specified [Any Size/Type] or [Any Custom Size/Type] for [Bypass Tray] (under [Tray Setting Priority] in [System] of [Printer Features]). Also, you have specified the right tray as the output tray, and then tried to print on paper that is longer than 355.6 mm (14 inches) from the bypass tray.

Select an output tray.

Sheets are fed 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. For details about the paper storage conditions we recommend, see "Paper Storage", Paper Specifications and Adding Paper.

Copy paper becomes creased.

The paper is too thin.

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

Edges of sheets are creased.

The paper is damp.

Use paper that has been stored in the recommended temperature and humidity conditions. For details about the paper storage conditions we recommend, see "Paper Storage", Paper Specifications and Adding Paper.

Edges of sheets are creased.

You are using non-recommended paper.

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

Cannot print in duplex mode.

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

When using duplex printing, configure settings, so that paper can be loaded from a tray other than the bypass tray.

Duplex printing cannot be applied.

You have loaded paper that is too thick or thin.

Change the paper. For details about paper weight that can be used for duplex printing, see "Specifications for the Main Unit", Maintenance and Specifications.

Duplex printing cannot be applied.

You have selected the paper tray that is not set for duplex printing.

Change the setting for "Apply Duplex" in [Tray Paper Settings] to enable duplex printing for the paper tray. For details about setting "Apply Duplex", see "Tray Paper Settings", Connecting the Machine/ System Settings.

Duplex printing cannot be applied.

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

In [Tray Paper Settings], select a paper type that can be used for duplex printing. For details about setting "Paper Type", see "Tray Paper Settings", Connecting the Machine/ System Settings.

The image on the back side of duplex copies 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 low-temperature areas.

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

  • Install the Optional anti-humidity heater. For details about the anti-humidity heater, contact your service representative.

White stripes appear on the OHP transparency.

Fragments of paper are stuck to the OHP transparency.

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

Other printing problems

Problem

Causes

Solutions

It takes a long time to complete a print job.

Sleep mode or Fusing Unit Off mode might be set.

The machine requires time to warm up if it has been in Sleep mode or Fusing Unit Off mode. For details about Sleep mode and Fusing Unit Off mode, see "Saving Energy", Getting Started.

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. Wait until printing is complete.

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

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

PCL 6

Select a lower resolution on the printer driver. For details about how to change the resolution setting, see the printer driver Help.

PostScript 3

Select a lower resolution on the printer driver. For details about how to change the resolution setting, see the printer driver Help.

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 be different.

Make sure the machine's feed orientation and the printer driver's feed orientation match. For details about printer driver settings, see the printer driver Help.

Optional components connected to the machine are not recognized.

Bidirectional communication is not working.

Set up optional devices on the Properties of the printer. For details about how to set up optional devices, see the printer driver Help.

Combined printing, booklet printing, or Auto Reduce/Enlarge printing does not work as expected.

The correct application or printer driver settings are not configured.

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.

For details about user authentication, see Security Guide.

Color originals are printed in black and white.

No color print settings have been configured on the printer driver.

Change the "Color/ Black and White:" setting on the printer driver. For details about how to change the "Color/ Black and White:" setting, see the printer driver Help.

PDF files cannot print or PDF direct printing cannot be performed.

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 about printing PDF files, see "PDF Menu", Print, or Web Image Monitor Help.

PDF files cannot print or PDF direct printing cannot be performed.

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

Change the PDF file security setting.

PDF direct print produces garbled characters.

Fonts were not embedded.

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

Printing did not start even though the specified print time passed.

[Jobs Not Printed As Machn. Was Off] was set to [Do not Print] in [Printer Features], but when the specified print time arrived, the power was turned off.

Set [Jobs Not Printed As Machn. Was Off] to [Print When Machine On] in [Printer Features].

Printing did not start even though the specified print time passed.

The time set on the machine or computer is incorrect.

Set the correct time on the machine or computer.

A print processes using wireless LAN or Bluetooth is slow.

The number of jobs exceeds the capacity of the machine.

Reduce the number of jobs.

A print process using wireless LAN or Bluetooth is slow.

  • A communication error might have occurred.

  • Interference from other wireless LAN devices or Bluetooth devices can reduce data transmission speed.

  • If the machine is using a wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) or Bluetooth interface unit, radio waves may be interfering with the wireless communication. This may occur if a microwave oven, cordless telephone, industrial machine, scientific instrument, or medical instrument using the same frequency range is placed near the device.

  • Bluetooth transmission speeds are not high.

  • Move the machine away from the wireless LAN device or Bluetooth device.

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

  • Turn off other machines or devices which use the same frequency range, and then print again to check whether the devices cause interference. If printing is successful, move the devices to a location where they do not cause interference.

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