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