Laser printer causes problems: These tips help
Numerous problems can arise when printing with laser printers. Often this is due to an out-of-date driver - so first check on the manufacturer's website whether you have installed the latest driver and the print program is running without errors. We present some other problems with laser printers here with the associated solutions.
Causes of problems with laser printers
In many cases, the printer itself knows what the problem is. If you have installed the associated software for the printer on your computer, you will receive information there if a problem is discovered.
- Too little toner: There may be little or no color left in the toner. Check the fill level on the printer or PC. The ink often collects in one area of the cartridge: then remove the toner, move it slightly in all directions, and reinsert it. The problem could now be solved for a few printouts.
- Toner empty: If the toner is completely empty, it must be replaced or refilled. Beware of cheaper toner replicas: they can often cause problems.
- Stains from transfer rollers: Check the transfer rollers for dirt. These are the small rolls that feed and transport the paper. They are usually in the paper feed and output.
- Paper jam: If a page is stuck in the printer, open the cover and try to pull the page slowly up or down. Be very careful as it is often difficult to remove scraps of paper.
- Leaky toner: Check for any color leakage. Leaks can occur, especially in replicas. Check the operating instructions for how to properly clean the individual components. You can also often find the manuals online, for example from Dell, HP, Epson or Canon.
Common laser printer problems and their solutions
If the causes given above are not responsible for your problem, you can find further possible causes here.
- Slate printing: Check whether there are any remnants from a paper jam in the transfer rollers and whether the paper is just inserted. Often this is just wrong in the paper feed.
- Print too light: Check if the toner save mode is activated or if you only print "drafts" in Word. The Image Transfer Kit or the lighting unit could also be damaged - then only a repair of the hardware helps.
- Spotty expressions: If there are toner stains on the paper, the toner may be leaking. Then some components are dirty and rub off onto the paper. You should now clean these according to the manufacturer's instructions, which you can find online or in the manual.
- Smeared print: Mostly the transfer rollers are the cause - check if they are clean. If you use different paper than usual, adjust the print settings accordingly.
- Lines and stripes: If the printed image is crossed by lines and stripes, this is often due to the image drum or the fuser unit (also: "fuser unit"). Cleaning the printer often helps here.
- Part of the page is too light: A deeper error could be in the imaging drum or imaging unit. The laser mirror may also be dirty.
- Incomplete letters: For example, if small sections of letters are missing, this is often due to the wrong paper. Check whether you are using a different paper than usual and adjust the print settings on the computer if necessary.
- Imprints on the edge: The transfer roles are always responsible for this.
If outgoing toner is simply the problem, you can find a provider comparison for cheap printer cartridges here.