Laser printer prints streaks – causes and what to do

Vertical bands, a grey background, repeating spots or toner that rubs off with a finger – the type of defect usually tells you which part of a laser printer is at fault. Below are the most common cases for HP, Brother and Canon printers and multifunction devices.

Dark vertical bands or lines

These usually mean a scratched or worn photoconductor drum, or a dirty part in the toner cartridge. If the band appears in the same place on every page, take the cartridge out and look at the drum – a scratch or a stuck particle is a sure cause. Do not touch the drum with your fingers and do not expose it to light.

Light vertical bands (missing print)

The toner is running out or is unevenly distributed – take the cartridge out and rock it gently from side to side. If that does not help, the laser window inside the printer may be dirty.

Grey background across the page

Typical of a worn drum or a compatible toner with different properties. Check the drum counter in the printer menu and the print density setting.

Spots repeating at regular intervals

The distance between the spots matches the circumference of one of the rollers. Short intervals usually point to the drum or the developing roller, longer ones to the fusing unit.

Toner rubs off the page

The print is not fused. Check that the correct paper type is selected in the driver and on the panel – see printing on heavier paper. If the problem also occurs on plain paper, the fusing unit is worn.

Horizontal bands and a shifted image

Often caused by the toner cartridge or the contacts between the cartridge and the printer. Take the cartridge out and put it back; if you have a spare one, test with it.

What you can do yourself

1. Print a test page from the printer menu – this rules out a problem with the file or the driver.
2. Take the cartridge out, rock it and put it back.
3. Run the cleaning function from the device menu, if available.
4. Check the drum and toner usage counters.

Do not use an ordinary vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth on toner inside the printer, and do not touch the fusing unit – it is hot.

When to call service

When the defect remains after replacing the toner, when toner rubs off, or when spots repeat regularly – a part needs replacing. Call us and describe the defect; best of all, send a photo of the print.

Report a fault or call service: +48 796 999 157

See also the full help guide.