HP LaserJet 1200 Printer series - Improving print quality

EN

Improving print quality 121

Vertical lines

●

Make sure that the priority input tray is in place.

●

The photosensitive drum inside the toner cartridge has
probably been scratched. Install a new HP toner cartridge.
See

Changing the toner cartridge

for instructions.

Gray background

●

Make sure that the priority input tray is in place.

●

Decrease the print density setting through HP LaserJet
Device Configuration. This decreases the amount of
background shading. See

Accessing the online help

.

●

Change the media to a lighter basis weight. See

Printer

media specifications

for more information.

●

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

●

Install a new HP toner cartridge. See

Changing the toner

cartridge

for instructions.

Toner smear

●

If toner smears appear on the leading edge of the media, the
media guides might be dirty. Wipe the media guides with a
dry, lint-free cloth. See

Identifying the printer’s components

or

Cleaning the printer

for more information.

●

Check the media type and quality.

●

Try installing a new HP toner cartridge. See

Changing the

toner cartridge

for instructions.

●

The fuser temperature might be too low. Check Optimize
for: in the Paper tab of your printer driver, and make sure
that it is set to the appropriate media.

122 Chapter 9 Troubleshooting the printer

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Loose toner

●

Clean the inside of the printer. See

Cleaning the printer

for

instructions.

●

Check the media type and quality. See

Printer media

specifications

for more information.

●

Try installing a new HP toner cartridge. See

Changing the

toner cartridge

for instructions.

●

Select Optimize for: in the Paper tab of your printer driver,
and choose the media that you are using. This feature is also
available in HP LaserJet Device Configuration. See

Accessing the online help

.

●

Plug the printer directly into an AC outlet instead of into a
power strip.

Vertical repetitive defects

●

The toner cartridge might be damaged. If a repetitive mark
occurs at the same spot on the page, install a new HP toner
cartridge. See

Changing the toner cartridge

for instructions.

●

The internal parts might have toner on them. See

Cleaning

the printer

for more information. If the defects occur on the

back of the page, the problem will probably correct itself after
a few more printed pages.

●

Select Optimize for: in the Paper tab of your printer driver,
and choose the media that you are using. This feature is also
available in HP LaserJet Device Configuration. See

Accessing the online help

Misformed characters

●

If characters are improperly formed, producing hollow
images, the media stock might be too slick. Try a different
media. See

Printer media specifications

for more information.

●

If characters are improperly formed, producing a wavy effect,
the printer might need service. Print a configuration page. If
the characters are improperly formed, contact an
HP-authorized dealer or service representative. See

Service

and support

for more information.

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Improving print quality 123

Page skew

●

Make sure that the media is loaded correctly and the media
guides are not too tight or too loose against the media stack.
See

Loading media into the input trays

for more information.

●

The input bin might be too full. See

Loading media into the

input trays

for more information.

●

Check the media type and quality. See

Printer media

specifications

for more information.

Curl or wave

●

Check the media type and quality. Both high temperature and
humidity cause media to curl. See

Printer media

specifications

for more information.

●

The media might have been in the input tray too long. Turn
over the stack of media in the tray. Also, try rotating the
media 180° in the input tray.

●

Open the straight-through output door and try printing
straight through. See

Printer output paths

for more

information.

●

The fuser temperature might be too high. Check Optimize
for: in the Paper tab of your printer driver, and make sure
that it is set to the appropriate media.

Wrinkles or creases

●

Make sure that media is loaded properly. See

Loading media

into the input trays

for more information.

●

Check the media type and quality. See

Printer media

specifications

for more information.

●

Open the straight-through output door and try printing
straight through. See

Printer output paths

for more

information.

●

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

124 Chapter 9 Troubleshooting the printer

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Toner scatter outline

●

If large amounts of toner have scattered around the
characters, the media might be resisting the toner. (A small
amount of toner scatter is normal for laser printing.) Try a
different media type. See

Printer media specifications

for

more information.

●

Turn over the stack of media in the tray.

●

Use media designed for laser printers. See

Printer media

specifications

for more information.