HP LaserJet 2200 Printer series - Image Defect Examples

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Light Print or Fade

If a vertical white streak or faded area appears on the page:

z

The toner supply is low. You may be able to temporarily extend
the toner cartridge life. See Redistributing the Toner. If this does
not improve the print quality, install a new HP toner cartridge.

z

The paper may not meet HP’s paper specifications (for example,
the paper is too moist or too rough). See Media Specifications.

z

If the whole page is light, the print density adjustment is too light
or EconoMode may be on. Adjust the print density and
EconoMode within the software driver. See Using EconoMode or
Draft Printing. For non-Windows operating systems, this feature
is also available in HP Web JetAdmin.

Toner Specks

z

The paper may not meet HP’s paper specifications (for example,
the paper is too moist or too rough). See Media Specifications.

z

The transfer roller may be dirty. See Internal Cleaning Procedure.

z

The paper path may need cleaning. See Engine Cleaning.

Dropouts

If faded areas, generally rounded, occur randomly on the page:

z

A single sheet of paper may be defective. Try reprinting the job.

z

The moisture content of the paper is uneven or the paper has
moist spots on its surface. Try paper from a different source.
See Media Specifications.

z

The paper lot is bad. The manufacturing processes can cause
some areas to reject toner. Try a different kind or brand of paper.
See Media Specifications.

z

The toner cartridge may be defective. See Vertical Repetitive
Defects.

z

If these steps do not correct the problem, contact an HP-
authorized dealer or service representative. See HP Customer
Care (Service and Support).

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Vertical Lines

If black or white vertical streaks appear on the page:

z

The photosensitive drum inside the toner cartridge has probably
been scratched or is worn out. Install a new HP toner cartridge.

Gray Background

If the amount of background toner shading becomes unacceptable,
the procedures described below may help to clear the condition:

z

Decrease the density setting through the HP LaserJet Device
Configuration (Windows) or from the HP LaserJet Utility
(Macintosh). This will decrease the amount of background
shading.

z

Change the paper to a lighter basis weight. See Media
Specifications.

z

Check the printer’s environment; very dry (low humidity)
conditions can increase the amount of background shading.

z

Install a new HP toner cartridge.

Toner Smear

z

If toner smears appear on the leading edge of the paper, the
paper guides are dirty. See Internal Cleaning Procedure.

z

Check the paper type and quality. See Media Specifications.

z

Try installing a new HP toner cartridge.

Loose Toner

z

Clean the inside of the printer. See Internal Cleaning Procedure.

z

Check the paper type and quality. See Media Specifications.

z

Try installing a new HP toner cartridge.

z

In the printer driver, select the Paper tab and set Optimize for:
to match the type of paper you are printing. Print speed may be
slower if you are using heavy paper. For non-Windows operating
systems, this feature is also available in HP Web JetAdmin.

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Vertical Repetitive Defects

If marks repeatedly appear on the printed side of the page at even
intervals:

z

The toner cartridge may be damaged. The circumference of the
toner cartridge drum is 94 mm (3.7 in.). If a repetitive mark occurs
every 94 mm (3.7 in.) on the page, install a new HP toner
cartridge.

z

Internal parts may have toner on them. If the defects occur on the
back of the page, the problem will likely correct itself after a few
more pages.

z

In the printer driver, select the Paper tab and set Optimize for:
to match the type of paper you are printing. For non-Windows
operating systems, this feature is also available in
HP Web JetAdmin.

z

The fusing assembly may be damaged. Contact an HP-approved
service technician. See HP Customer Care (Service and
Support).

Misformed Characters

z

If characters are improperly formed, producing hollow images,
the paper may be too slick. Try a different paper type. See Media
Specifications.

z

If characters are improperly formed, producing a wavy effect, the
laser scanner may need service. Verify that it also occurs on a
demo page by pressing

G

O

when the printer is ready. If you

need service, contact an HP-authorized dealer or service
representative. See Hewlett-Packard Limited Warranty
Statement. See HP Customer Care (Service and Support).

Page Skew

z

Check the paper type and quality. See Media Specifications.

z

Make sure the paper or other media is loaded correctly and that
the guides are not too tight or too loose against the paper stack.
See Loading Media into Tray 1, Loading Media into Tray 2 or
Optional 250-sheet Tray 3, or Loading Media into Optional 500-
sheet Tray 3.

Curl or Wave

z

Check the paper type and quality. Both high temperature and
humidity will cause paper curl. See Media Specifications.

z

Turn over the stack of paper in the tray. Also try rotating the paper
180° in the input tray.

z

Open the rear door and try printing to the rear output bin.

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Wrinkles or Creases

z

Make sure that paper is loaded properly.

z

Check the paper type and quality. See Media Specifications.

z

Open the rear door and try printing to the rear output bin.

z

Turn over the stack of paper in the tray or try rotating the paper
180° in the input tray.

Toner Scatter Outline

z

If large amounts of toner have scattered around the characters,
the paper may have high resistivity. (Small amounts of toner
scatter is normal for laser printing.) Try a different paper type.
See Media Specifications.

z

Turn over the stack of paper in the tray.

z

Use paper designed for laser printers. See Media Specifications.

Random Image Repetition

If an image that appears at the top of the page (in solid black) repeats
further down the page (in gray field), the toner may not have been
completely erased from the last job. (The repeated image may be
lighter or darker than the field it appears in.)

z

Change the tone (darkness) of the field that the repeated image
appears in.

z

Change the order in which the images are printed. For example,
have the lighter image at the top of the page, and the darker
image further down the page.

z

From your software application, rotate the whole page 180° to
print the lighter image first.

z

If the defect occurs later in a print job, turn the printer off for ten
minutes, and then turn the printer on to restart the print job.