| There are several image related problems | | | | 3 Press [Select] to print the |
| that can occur. If you want to save | | | | Configuration Page. |
| money and repair it yourself this | | | | HP LJ-4200/4250/4300/4350 |
| article is for you. Read about the most | | | | 1 Press (SELECT button) or the MENU |
| common image related problems that HP | | | | button to open the menus. |
| Laser Printers have and how to resolve | | | | 2 Use (UP ARROW button) or (DOWN ARROW |
| them. | | | | button) to scroll to INFORMATION, and |
| Here are a few examples of image related | | | | then press the Check button (Select) |
| problems: | | | | 3 Use or to scroll to PRINT |
| Blank, Solid Black, Streaks, Double | | | | CONFIGURATION, and then press the check |
| Images, Specks, Lines, Light Print, Dark | | | | button. |
| Print, Blurred Image, Flaking / Rubs off | | | | HP LJ-8000/8100/8150 |
| Cartridges: Most of these problems are | | | | 1 Press MENU until INFORMATION MENU |
| related to the toner cartridge. If you | | | | appears. |
| don't have another cartridge to test it | | | | 2 Press ITEM until PRINT CONFIGURATION |
| you can diagnose the problem another | | | | appears. |
| way. Put a sheet of paper in tray 1. | | | | 3 Press SELECT to print the |
| Run a configuration page with your hand | | | | configuration pages. |
| on the power switch. When the page | | | | Image problems caused by the Fuser |
| reaches midway, turn the power off. You | | | | Assembly: Symptoms are, toner not |
| may have to do this a couple more times | | | | fusing, streaking, double imaging. |
| to get the timing correct. Now that you | | | | Note: The 4200 series had a problem |
| have stopped the paper midway, carefully | | | | with the film getting ripped. You will |
| remove the cartridge and the paper from | | | | see strands of plastic pieces coming out |
| the machine. Inspect it to see if the | | | | of the exit area. It will cause as an |
| problem exists before it reached the | | | | image defect, streaking and double |
| fuser. If it does then it is in the | | | | imaging. |
| cartridge, or possibly it could be in | | | | Diagnose: You can diagnose it by running |
| the Laser or scanner assembly. If it | | | | a configuration page. Rub on the print. |
| does not, then you have a bad fuser | | | | Is it flakey? Does the print rub off |
| assembly. Remove the fuser and inspect | | | | easy? If it does, it is probably the |
| it. | | | | fuser. Remove and inspect it. You can |
| Cartridge problems are the most common | | | | inspect the film or roller. If you see |
| cause of image related problems. I find | | | | any damage replacement is necessary. |
| more problems with remanufactured | | | | Note: Most fusers on HP Laser Printers |
| cartridges because the manufacturer is | | | | are very easy to remove. If you need |
| not replacing certain major components | | | | instructions on how to remove and |
| that cause the defects. Make sure they | | | | install them, I have maintenance kit |
| replace the drum. Also, look for | | | | installation procedures on my website on |
| companies that are ISO 9002/14001 | | | | the front page. Look under customer |
| certified and STMC certified. This will | | | | menus. |
| help weed out the undesirable | | | | Solution - The fuser is replaced as an |
| cartridges. To be honest, I have seen a | | | | assembly. Remove and replace Fuser |
| lot of OEM cartridges fail. Cartridges | | | | Assembly |
| fail for several reasons, such as | | | | WARNING! Let the Fuser Assembly cool |
| foreign objects getting up into the | | | | before disassembly. |
| cartridge causing lines, streaks and | | | | Regarding Light Prints: |
| leaking. This can be resolved by being | | | | If you have replaced your cartridge and |
| careful not to remove staple or paper | | | | you still have light prints or if you |
| clips in and around machine. You should | | | | have light print over the entire page, |
| also have your machine cleaned. | | | | you may have economy mode on. Go to |
| Vacuuming all of the paper and toner | | | | quality menu and turn off. I would also |
| dust can help decrease this. Remember | | | | try the transfer roller. This is also |
| to only use a service vacuum that can | | | | easy to replace, look in Maintenance kit |
| handle the tiny particle size of toner. | | | | installation procedure. |
| Printing a Configuration page: You will | | | | One last thing: If you have tried all |
| always need to print a configuration | | | | of the above, there could be another |
| page, and here are some reasons. | | | | problem. This procedure can be |
| Image quality test, Page count, Serial | | | | difficult for the average person to |
| number of machine, Configuration of | | | | repair. It is cleaning the scanner or |
| printer, The last few errors, Jet Direct | | | | laser unit. If you are in a very dusty |
| print server card is installed, Many | | | | environment the mirror inside this |
| others... | | | | assembly may be dirty. When the mirrors |
| Here are a few directions on how to | | | | accumulate dust on them the image defect |
| print out a configuration page.If you | | | | is light prints. I go into detail on |
| don't see your model scroll through the | | | | cleaning the HP LJ-4000 scanner on |
| menu on your printer and it should be | | | | another article I have. If you would |
| easy to find. | | | | like, you can go to my website in my |
| HP LJ-4000/4050/4100 | | | | article section and check it out. |
| 1 Press [Menu] until INFORMATION MENU | | | | I hope this article has helped you save |
| appears. | | | | some of your hard earned money. There |
| 2 Press [Item] until PRINT CONFIGURATION | | | | really is no reason to spend money when |
| appears. | | | | you can just clean it yourself! |