When You Cannot Print Properly

The printed image is smudged.

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

Printed images contain blots or are patchy.

The paper is damp.

Use paper that has been stored in the recommended temperature and humidity conditions. For details about the proper way to store paper, see Paper Precautions.

Printed images contain blots or are patchy.

The printer is not on a level surface.

The printer must be placed on a stable and level surface. Check the printer environment and select an appropriate location. For details about the printer's environment, see Install Location.

Printed images contain blots or are patchy.

The paper is creased, curled, or has blemishes.

Smooth out the wrinkles or replace the paper. For details about paper, see Paper Precautions.

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 proper way to store paper, see Paper Precautions.

The printed image is faded over the entire page.

The paper is unsuitable. Printing on coarse or treated paper might result in faint print image.

Use recommended paper. For details about recommended paper, see Paper Size Specifications and Paper Type Specifications.

The printed image is faded over the entire page.

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

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.

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

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

The image is too dark or too light.

The paper type settings are not configured correctly.

Check that the paper loaded on the paper tray or bypass tray matches the paper type set on the display panel. For details about paper type settings, see Paper Settings.

The image is too dark or too light.

The paper is loaded reverse side up. Printing on non-print surfaces reduces print quality and can damage the printer's internal components.

Before printing on special paper, check its surface carefully. For details about special paper, see Paper Precautions.

Image is dirty.

Use of non-recommended toner can result in a loss of print quality and other problems.

Use genuine manufacturer toner. Contact your service representative.

Printed graphics do not match graphics on the screen.

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

Print result differs from the display.

A non-Windows operating system is being used.

Check that the application supports the printer driver.

Print result differs from the display.

The printer is not selected for printing.

Use the printer driver of the printer and check that the printer is the specified printer. For details about how to open the printer driver settings screen, see Displaying the Printing Preferences dialog box from the [Start] menu.

Print result differs from the display.

Data transmission failed or was canceled during printing.

Check whether there is failed or canceled data remaining. For details about how to identify the cause of the error, see Checking Error Logs.

Characters differ from the display.

The loaded paper is unsuitable.

Printing on recommended paper produces better resolution. For details about recommended paper, see Paper Size Specifications and Paper Type Specifications.

Image position differs from the display.

The page layout settings are not configured correctly.

Check the page layout settings configured using the application. For details about page layout settings, see the application's Help.

Image position differs from the display.

The page layout settings are not configured correctly.

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

Photo images are grainy.

Some applications print at a lower resolution.

Use the application's 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.

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

Super fine lines have been specified in the application.

Images appear only partially colored.

The paper is damp.

Use paper that has been stored in the recommended temperature and humidity conditions. For details about the proper way to store paper, see Paper Precautions.