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