During operation of the printer, one or another malfunction may occur due to various reasons. Sometimes the printer starts to print in stripes. Why does this happen and what should be done to restore the normal functioning of the device?
Inkjet printer prints in strips: reasons
There are many reasons that lead to the appearance of stripes when printing. First, we analyze the most probable causes of the appearance of such defects during the operation of an inkjet printer:
- low ink level;
- ink drying;
- violation of the integrity of the cartridge;
- technical failure of the printhead;
- pollution encoder elements.
IMPORTANT! There are also more complex faults. But to identify and fix them, without special knowledge and tools is impossible. To eliminate such faults, you have to take the device to the service.
What to do if an inkjet printer prints stripes
Let's take a closer look at the causes, how to diagnose and eliminate them.
If the printer is equipped with a continuous ink supply system (CISS), then you can check their level simply by looking at the tank for refilling. There is another way. In almost every modern device, there is a sensor that allows you to determine the approximate filling level of the container. You can check this figure in the software provided by the manufacturer with the printer. And to solve this problem, you just need to fill the tank or replace the cartridge.
If the ink level is OK, then you should check the technical condition of the cartridge. To check the integrity of the cartridge case, it is necessary to remove it from the printer, inspect it carefully and shake it a little. This should be done over the pre-spread paper, so as not to stain the surrounding objects. If there are defects in the housing, the element must be replaced.
Then you should check the integrity of the CISS loop. Perhaps somewhere a crack was formed or it was pinched during installation. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to fully check the cable without disassembling the printer, and its replacement is also a very difficult task, which is better to be entrusted to specialists.
After checking the integrity of the CISS loop, check the condition of the filters for the air holes. With a long break in work or after prolonged use, the filters become clogged and cease to pass air normally. When they become unusable, they should simply be replaced with new ones.
A common cause is contamination of the encoder tape. This is a translucent plastic film that runs along the moving carriage. Use a soft cloth soaked in detergent for cleaning. After cleaning, wait 30 minutes to allow the encoder tape to dry.
Perhaps the most annoying breakdown will be contamination of the print head. But manufacturers have provided an easy way to clean. In the software for the printer, there is a tab "Maintenance" - you can start cleaning the nozzles in it. True, this function is not in every inkjet printer.
If the software cleaning did not help or it is completely absent, then you should manually clean the nozzles with a special cleaning agent.
IMPORTANT! Do not use water or other cleaners. Due to the improper density of the fluid, it will leak or clog the nozzles even more. Use only specialized fluids.
If after carrying out all possible manipulations the device continues to issue sheets with stripes, then it should be taken to a service center.
Why stripes appear when printing on a laser printer
Stripes when printing on a laser device is a common problem. The main causes of such defects:
- low ink level;
- impaired integrity of the cartridge case;
- technical failure of the drum;
- damage to the magnetic shaft or hit of small items on it;
- hopper overflow for excess toner;
- poor installation of the dosing blade;
- bad magnetic shaft contact with photoconductor.
There are many more reasons for poor-quality printing on a laser printer. But they are much less common, and fixing them yourself is very problematic.
How to eliminate the strip when printing on a laser printer
To diagnose the cause of bad printing, it is worth analyzing the specifics of the bands that appear - this will allow you to accurately determine the cause of the fault.
The strip in the middle of the sheet indicates a low level of toner - it means it's time to refill it or replace the cartridge. If the toner level is at an acceptable level, then the defect is in the supply system. In this case, you must contact the service center.
Stripes that look like small dots appear for two reasons. Filled container for excess toner or incorrectly fixed blade for dispensing toner. In 9 out of 10 cases, the cause will be in the container, so you should check it first. If the container is not full, you should check the blade and, if necessary, correct it.
There are two reasons for the appearance of frequent, poorly printed strips - either toner comes to an end or trash is stuck to the magnetic roller. To solve the problem, the toner stock needs to be replenished and the magnetic roller cleaned.
Dark stripes located on the edges, means the failure of the photodrum. It is also often associated with normal wear and tear. And unfortunately the item will also have to be replaced.
If black winding bands stretch across the entire sheet, it is most likely that low-quality toner was used for refilling. If you recently refilled a cartridge, then you need to clean it and fill it with good toner. But sometimes simple pollution of the optical system or magnetic shaft is possible. Then they just need to be carefully cleaned.
Most printing problems can be corrected by yourself. But do not get involved in this process. Parts of the printer are very sensitive to damage and careless actions, can completely disable the device.
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