Print Quality Guide
Page 1 of 16
Print Quality Guide
Blank or white pages
Action Yes No
Step 1
a Remove, and then reinstall the imaging kit.
b Resend the print job.
Is the printer still printing blank or white pages?
Step 2
Replace the color or black imaging kit, and then resend the print job.
Is the printer still printing blank or white pages?
Dark print
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Contact
support.
customer
The problem is solved.
Action Yes No
Step 1
a From the Quality menu on the control panel, select Color Adjust.
b Resend the print job.
Is the print still too dark?
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Print Quality Guide
Page 2 of 16
Action Yes No
Step 2
a Depending on your operating system, reduce the toner darkness from
the Printing Preferences or Print dialog.
Note: You can also change the settings on the printer control panel.
b Resend the print job.
Is the print still too dark?
Step 3
a Depending on your operating system, specify the paper type, texture,
and weight from the Printing Preferences or Print dialog.
Notes:
• Make sure that the settings match the paper loaded in the tray.
• You can also change the settings on the printer control panel.
b Resend the print job.
Is the print still too dark?
Step 4
Make sure that the paper has no texture or rough finishes.
Are you printing on textured or rough paper?
Go to step 3. The problem is solved.
Go to step 4. The problem is solved.
Change the texture
settings to match the
paper you are printing
on.
Go to step 5.
Step 5
a Load paper from a fresh package.
Note: Paper absorbs moisture due to high humidity. Store paper in its
original wrapper until you are ready to use it.
b Resend the print job.
Is the print still too dark?
Step 6
Replace the color or black imaging kit, and then resend the print job.
Is the print still too dark?
Ghost images
Leading edge
ABCD
ABCD
ABCD
ABCD
Trailing edge
Go to step 6. The problem is solved.
Contact
support.
customer
The problem is solved.
Print Quality Guide
Page 3 of 16
Action Yes No
Step 1
a Load the tray with the correct paper type and weight.
b Resend the print job.
Do ghost images still appear on prints?
Step 2
a Depending on your operating system, specify the paper type and
weight from the Printing Preferences or Print dialog.
Notes:
• Make sure that the settings match the paper loaded in the tray.
• You can also change the settings on the printer control panel.
b Resend the print job.
Do ghost images still appear on prints?
Step 3
Replace the color or black imaging kit, and then resend the print job.
Do ghost images still appear on prints?
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Go to step 3. The problem is solved.
Contact
support.
customer
The problem is solved.
Gray background on prints
Leading edge
ABCDE
ABCDE
ABCDE
Action Yes No
Step 1
a Depending on your operating system, decrease the toner darkness
from the Printing Preferences or Print dialog.
Note: You can also change the settings on the printer control panel.
b Resend the print job.
Do gray background still appear on prints?
Trailing edge
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Print Quality Guide
Page 4 of 16
Action Yes No
Step 2
a Remove, and then reinstall the imaging kit.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not expose the imaging kit to direct
light for more than 10 minutes. Extended exposure to light may cause
print quality problems.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not touch the underside of the
imaging kit. This could damage the imaging kit.
b Resend the print job.
Do gray background still appear on prints?
Horizontal dark lines or streaks
ABCDE
ABCDE
ABCDE
Contact
support.
customer
The problem is solved.
Note: If you see repeating horizontal dark lines, then see the “Repeating defects” topic.
Action Yes No
Step 1
a Depending on your operating system, specify the tray or feeder from
the Printing Preferences or Print dialog.
b Resend the print job.
Do horizontal dark lines still appear on prints?
Step 2
a Depending on your operating system, specify the paper type and
weight from the Printing Preferences or from Print dialog.
Notes:
• Make sure that the settings match the paper loaded in the tray.
• You can also change the settings on the printer control panel.
b Resend the print job.
Do horizontal dark lines still appear on prints?
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Go to step 3. The problem is solved.
Print Quality Guide
Page 5 of 16
Action Yes No
Step 3
a Load paper from a fresh package.
Note: Paper absorbs moisture due to high humidity. Store paper in its
original wrapper until you use it.
b Resend the print job.
Do horizontal dark lines still appear on prints?
Step 4
a Remove, and then reinstall the imaging kit.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not expose the kit to direct light for
more than 10 minutes. Extended exposure to light may cause print
quality problems.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not touch the underside of the
imaging kit. This could damage the imaging kit.
b Resend the print job.
Do horizontal dark lines still appear on prints?
Step 5
Replace the color or black imaging kit, and then resend the print job.
Do horizontal dark lines still appear on prints?
Go to step 4. The problem is solved.
Go to step 5. The problem is solved.
Contact
support.
customer
The problem is solved.
Horizontal white lines
Leading edge
Trailing edge
Note: If you see repeating horizontal white lines, then see the “Repeating defects” topic.
Action Yes No
Step 1
a Depending on your operating system, specify the paper type and
weight from the Printing Preferences or Print dialog.
Notes:
• Make sure that the settings match the paper loaded in the tray.
• You can also change the settings on the printer control panel.
b Resend the print job.
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Do horizontal white lines still appear on prints?
Print Quality Guide
Page 6 of 16
Action Yes No
Step 2
a Load the specified tray or feeder with the recommended paper type.
b Resend the print job.
Do horizontal white lines still appear on prints?
Step 3
a Remove, and then reinstall the imaging kit.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not expose the imaging kit to direct
light for more than 10 minutes. Extended exposure to light can cause
print quality problems.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not touch the underside of the
imaging kit. This could damage the imaging kit.
b Resend the print job.
Do horizontal white lines still appear on prints?
Step 4
Replace the color or black imaging kit, and then resend the print job.
Do horizontal white lines still appear on prints?
Go to step 3. The problem is solved.
Go to step 4. The problem is solved.
Contact
support.
customer
The problem is solved.
Incorrect margins
ABCD
ABCD
ABCD
Action Yes No
Step 1
a Move the paper guides in the tray to the correct position for the paper
loaded.
b Resend the print job.
Are the margins correct?
The problem is solved. Go to step 2.
Print Quality Guide
Page 7 of 16
Action Yes No
Step 2
a Depending on your operating system, specify the paper size from the
Printing Preferences or Print dialog.
Notes:
• Make sure that the settings match the paper loaded in the tray.
• You can also change the settings on the printer control panel.
b Resend the print job.
Are the margins correct?
Jagged or uneven characters
The problem is solved. Contact
support.
customer
Action Yes No
Step 1
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
a Print a font sample list to check if your printer supports the fonts you
are using.
1 From the control panel, navigate to:
Settings > Reports > Print > Print Fonts
2 Select PCL Fonts or PS Fonts.
b Resend the print job.
Do prints still contain jagged or uneven characters?
Step 2
a Use a supported font or install the font that you want to use on your
computer. For more information, contact your administrator.
Contact
support.
customer
The problem is solved.
b Resend the print job.
Do prints still contain jagged or uneven characters?
Print Quality Guide
Page 8 of 16
Light print
Action Yes No
Step 1
a From the Quality menu on the control panel, select Color Adjust.
b Resend the print job.
Is the print still too light?
Step 2
a Depending on your operating system, increase the toner darkness
from the Printing Preferences or Print dialog.
Note: You can also change the settings on the printer control panel.
b Resend the print job.
Is the print still too light?
Step 3
a Depending on your operating system, specify the paper type, texture,
and weight from the Printing Preferences or Print dialog.
Notes:
• Make sure that the settings match the paper loaded in the tray.
• You can also change the settings on the printer control panel.
b Resend the print job.
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Go to step 3. The problem is solved.
Go to step 4. The problem is solved.
Is the print still too light?
Step 4
Make sure that the paper has no texture or rough finishes.
Are you printing on textured or rough paper?
Step 5
a Load paper from a fresh package.
Note: Paper absorbs moisture due to high humidity. Store paper in its
original wrapper until you are ready to use it.
b Resend the print job.
Is the print still too light?
Change the texture
settings to match the
paper you are printing
on.
Go to step 6. The problem is solved.
Go to step 5.
Print Quality Guide
Page 9 of 16
Action Yes No
Step 6
Replace the color or black imaging kit, and then resend the print job.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not expose the imaging kit to direct
light for more than 10 minutes. Extended exposure to light can cause
print quality problems.
Is the print still too light?
Contact
support.
customer
Mottled print
ABC
DEF
Action Yes No
Replace the color or black imaging kit, and then resend the print job.
Is the print still mottled?
Contact
support.
customer
The problem is solved.
The problem is solved.
Paper curl
Action Yes No
Step 1
Move the paper guides in the tray to the correct position for the paper
loaded.
Is the paper still curled?
Step 2
a Depending on your operating system, specify the paper type and
weight from the Printing Preferences or Print dialog.
Notes:
• Make sure that the settings match the paper loaded in the tray.
• You can also change the settings on the printer control panel.
b Resend the print job.
Is the paper still curled?
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Go to step 3. The problem is solved.
) )
Print Quality Guide
Page 10 of 16
Action Yes No
Step 3
a Remove paper from the tray, and then turn it over.
b Resend the print job.
Is the paper still curled?
Step 4
a Load paper from a fresh package.
Note: Paper absorbs moisture due to high humidity. Store paper in its
original wrapper until you are ready to use it.
b Resend the print job.
Is the paper still curled?
Print crooked or skewed
ABCDE
ABCDE
Go to step 4. The problem is solved.
Contact
support.
customer
The problem is solved.
ABCDE
Action Yes No
Step 1
a Move the paper guides in the tray to the correct position for the paper
loaded.
b Resend the print job.
Is the print still crooked or skewed?
Step 2
a Load paper from a fresh package.
Note: Paper absorbs moisture due to high humidity. Store paper in its
original wrapper until you are ready to use it.
b Resend the print job.
Is the print still crooked or skewed?
Step 3
a Check if you are printing on a supported paper.
b Resend the print job.
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Go to step 3. The problem is solved.
Contact
support.
customer
The problem is solved.
Is the print still crooked or skewed?
Repeating defects
)
)
)
Action Yes No
Print Quality Guide
Page 11 of 16
1 Measure the distance between the defects.
• If the distance between the defects equals 43.9 mm
(1.73 in.), or 45.5 mm (1.79 in.), then replace the
developer unit of the color where defects are seen.
• If the distance between the defects equals 94.2 mm
(3.70 in.), 29.8 mm (1.17 in.), or 25.1 mm (0.99 in.), then
replace the color or black imaging kit.
• If the distance between the defects equals 37.7 mm
(1.48 in.), 78.5 mm (3.09 in.), or 55.0 mm (2.17 in.), then
replace the transfer module.
• If the distance between the defects equals 95.0 mm
(3.74 in.), 110 mm (4.33 in.), or 34.6 mm (1.36 in.), then
replace the fuser.
2 Resend the print job.
Do the repeating defects still appear?
Solid color or black pages
Take note of the distance, and
then contact
support or your service
representative.
customer
The problem is solved.
Print Quality Guide
Page 12 of 16
Action Yes No
Step 1
a Remove and then reinstall the imaging kit.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not expose the imaging kit to direct
light for more than 10 minutes. Extended exposure to light may cause
print quality problems.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not touch the underside of the
imaging kit. This could damage the imaging kit.
b Resend the print job.
Is the printer still printing solid color or black pages?
Step 2
Replace the color or black imaging kit, and then resend the print job.
Is the printer still printing solid color or black pages?
Text or images cut o
Leading edge
ABCDE
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Contact
support.
customer
The problem is solved.
ABCDE
ABCDE
Trailing edge
Action Yes No
Step 1
a Move the paper guides in the tray to the correct position for the paper
loaded.
b Resend the print job.
Is the page or image still clipped?
Step 2
a Depending on your operating system, specify the paper size from the
Printing Preferences or Print dialog.
Notes:
• Make sure that the settings match the paper loaded in the tray.
• You can also change the settings on the printer control panel.
b Resend the print job.
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Go to step 3. The problem is solved.
Is the page or image still clipped?
Print Quality Guide
Page 13 of 16
Action Yes No
Step 3
a Remove, and then reinstall the imaging kit.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not expose the imaging kit to direct
light for more than 10 minutes. Extended exposure to light may cause
print quality problems.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not touch the underside of the
imaging kit. This could damage the imaging kit.
b Resend the print job.
Is the page or image still clipped?
Toner easily rubs o
Leading edge
ABC
DEF
Trailing edge
Contact
support.
customer
The problem is solved.
Action Yes No
1 Depending on your operating system, specify the paper type,
texture, and weight from the Printing Preferences or Print
dialog.
Notes:
Contact
customer support. The problem is solved.
• Make sure that the settings match the paper loaded in
the tray.
• You can also change the settings on the printer control
panel.
2 Resend the print job.
Does the toner still rub o?
Uneven print density
Print Quality Guide
Page 14 of 16
Action Yes No
Replace the imaging kit, and then resend the print job.
Is the print density uneven?
Contact
support.
customer
Vertical dark lines or streaks
Leading edge
ABCDE
ABCDE
ABCDE
Trailing edge
Action Yes No
Step 1
a Depending on your operating system, specify the paper type, texture,
and weight from the Printing Preferences or Print dialog.
Notes:
• Make sure that the settings match the paper loaded in the tray.
• You can also change the settings on the printer control panel.
b Resend the print job.
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
The problem is solved.
Do vertical dark lines or streaks still appear on prints?
Step 2
a Load paper from a fresh package.
Note: Paper absorbs moisture due to high humidity. Store paper in its
original wrapper until you use it.
b Resend the print job.
Do vertical dark lines or streaks still appear on prints?
Step 3
a Remove and then reinstall the imaging kit.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not expose the imaging kit to direct
light for more than 10 minutes. Extended exposure to light can cause
print quality problems.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not touch the underside of the
imaging kit. This could damage the imaging kit.
b Resend the print job.
Do vertical dark lines or streaks still appear on prints?
Go to step 3. The problem is solved.
Go to step 4. The problem is solved.
Print Quality Guide
Page 15 of 16
Action Yes No
Step 4
Replace the color or black imaging kit, and then resend the print job.
Do vertical dark lines or streaks still appear on prints?
Contact
support.
customer
Vertical white lines
Leading edge
Trailing edge
Action Yes No
Step 1
a Depending on your operating system, specify the paper type and
weight from the Printing Preferences or Print dialog.
Notes:
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
The problem is solved.
• Make sure that the settings match the paper loaded in the tray.
• You can also change the settings on the printer control panel.
b Resend the print job.
Do vertical white lines still appear on prints?
Step 2
Check if you are using the recommended paper type.
a Load the specified tray or feeder with the recommended paper type.
b Resend the print job.
Do vertical white lines still appear on prints?
Step 3
a Remove, and then reinstall the imaging kit.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not expose the imaging kit to direct
light for more than 10 minutes. Extended exposure to light may cause
print quality problems.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not touch the underside of the
imaging kit. This could damage the imaging kit.
b Resend the print job.
Go to step 3. The problem is solved.
Go to step 4. The problem is solved.
Do vertical white lines still appear on prints?
Print Quality Guide
Page 16 of 16
Action Yes No
Step 4
Replace the color or black imaging kit, and then resend the print job.
Do vertical white lines still appear on prints?
Contact
support.
customer
The problem is solved.
Contacting customer support
When you contact customer support, you will need to be able to describe the problem you are experiencing, the message
on the printer display, and the troubleshooting steps you have already taken to
You need to know your printer model type and serial number. For more information, see the label at the back of the
printer. The serial number is also listed on the menu settings page.
Lexmark has various ways to help you solve your printing problem. Visit the Lexmark Web site at
http://support.lexmark.com, and then select one of the following:
Tec h Li b ra r y You can browse our library of manuals, support documentation, drivers, and other downloads to help you solve
common problems.
E-mail You can send an e-mail to the Lexmark team, describing your problem. A service representative will respond
and provide you with information to solve your problem.
Live chat You can chat directly with a service representative. They can work with you to solve your printer problem or
provide assistance through Assisted Service where the service representative can remotely connect to your
computer through the Internet to troubleshoot problems, install updates, or complete other tasks to help you
successfully use your Lexmark product.
a solution.
find
Telephone support is also available. In the U.S. or Canada, call 1-800-539-6275. For other countries or regions, visit
http://support.lexmark.com.
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