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Print FAQs
| Q |
01) Image is blank. |
| A |
Blank images are usually caused by A) a shorted or broken
circuit or connection, or B) a missing or malfunctioning
component.
Corrective Action:
- Check The PCR Check to see if the PCR is
visible in the machine after you've pulled the toner cartridge
out. The PCR is a roller that runs along the length of the
drum, and is usually located inside the cartridge, but in some
cases (as with most Lexmarks), it sets in the machine, just
above the area where the drum would sit, were the cartridge
still in.
Make sure that the PCR is able to turn freely, and that it is not
falling from it's place.
- Check The Transfer Roller The transfer roller is
similar to the PCR, but would lie beneath the drum (cartridge)
instead of above it. Generally, the transfer roller is a part of
the printer, and not part of the cartridge. Some times,
instead of a transfer roller, there might be a transfer
corona. This is a thin bare wire, stretched accross
the length of the drum, encased in a metal frame.
Make sure the transfer toller is in place, and that it rolls
freely. If the machine uses a corona wire, make sure the
wire isn't broken.
- Check The Toner Cartridge If the toner
cartridge is not seated properly, it won't print properly. Make
sure that it is seated all the way in.
- Foreign Objects Check for any floating pieces
of plastic that may have fallen from inside the printer
somewhere.
- Still Blank Pages? Place a call at Cincinnati Printer Repair
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| Q |
02) Image is very light. |
| A |
Light images are usually caused by faulty toner cartridges,
circuit boards, and weak laser units. But here and there,
there might be a problem that is easier to find.
Corrective Action:
- Check The PCR After you've replaced the toner
cartridge, check to see if the PCR is visible in the machine
after you've pulled the toner cartridge out. The PCR is a
roller that runs along the length of the drum, and is usually
located inside the cartridge, but in some cases (as with most
Lexmarks), it sets in the machine, just above the area where
the drum would sit, were the cartridge still in.
Make sure that the PCR is able to turn freely, and that it is not
falling from it's place.
- Check The Transfer Roller The transfer roller is
similar to the PCR, but would lie beneath the drum (cartridge)
instead of above it. Generally, the transfer roller is a part of
the printer, and not part of the cartridge. Some times,
instead of a transfer roller, there might be a transfer
corona. This is a thin bare wire, stretched accross
the length of the drum, encased in a metal frame.
Make sure the transfer toller is in place, and that it rolls
freely. If the machine uses a corona wire, make sure the
wire isn't broken. Clean the wire with a damp cloth, and let it
dry.
- Check The Toner Cartridge If the toner
cartridge is not seated properly, it won't print properly. Make
sure that it is seated all the way in.
- Clean Slit Glass. Look for a long thin piece of
glass that might be visible inside the machine, after the
cartridge is removed. This piece of glass would be a window
between the drum unit and the laser unit. Make sure the
glass is clean (you will only be able to clean one side of it.)
- Still Light Pages? Place a call at Cincinnati Printer Repair
close
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| Q |
03) Image is too dark. |
| A |
A dark image is almost always caused by a faulty toner
cartridge. If you haven't replaced it yet, then replace it now.
If the toner cartridge doesn't fix your problem, there are
probably some user settings that will fix the problem.
Corrective Action:
- Lighter Settings. Consult your user's manual to
find out how you can set your printer to print lighter or
darker. If you do not have a user's manual, Place a call at
Cincinnati Printer Repair
- Clean Slit Glass. Look for a long thin piece of
glass that might be visible inside the machine, after the
cartridge is removed. This piece of glass would be a window
between the drum unit and the laser unit. Make sure the
glass is clean (you will only be able to clean one side of it.)
- Still Dark Pages? Place a call at Cincinnati Printer Repair
close
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| Q |
04) Image has black spots or marks. |
| A |
Again, before wasting time, make sure you have tried
another toner cartridge. After that, the problem is usually
pretty easy to find.
Corrective Action:
- Check The Drum. On the toner cartridge, there
is usually a flap that will pull back, revealing the drum (the
smooth cylinder.) Never touch the drum with your fingers, or
put it in direct sunlight. See if the drum has black marks on
it, or nicks in its surface. If you can see anything but a nice
smooth surface, replace the toner cartridge again.
- Check The Fuser Unit. The next thing to check
would be the fuser unit. It is the part of the machine that
gets very hot. The paper will ride under the toner cartridge
and then into the fuser, so it is usually located just behind the
cartridge. It might be possible to use a mirror and, following
the paper path, find the spot where the paper passes between
two rollers that span the length of the paper. These are the
rollers that heat up, and fuse the toner to the paper. Their
surface should be smooth.
Check for any marks or tears in their surface. You might
have to close the printer, let it run for a second (which will
turn the rollers and allow you to see another part of them)
and then open it up to check again. Do this several times to
make sure that you see the entire roller. If you think you
need to take the fuser out to check it more thoroughly, or if
you found a scrape in a roller and need to replace the unit,
Place a call at Cincinnati Printer Repair
- Still see black spots? Place a call at Cincinnati Printer Repair
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