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Problem Solver

Print Quality Problems

Horizontal banding
Vertical misalignment or banding
Color gaps
Incorrect or missing colors
Blurry or smeared printout

If you are having print quality problems, first perform a . Then, compare your test printing with the illustrations below. Click the caption under the illustration that best resembles your printout.

Horizontal banding

Vertical misalignment or banding

Horizontal banding

Vertical misalignment or banding

Color gaps

Incorrect or missing colors

Blurry or smeared printout

Horizontal banding

Try one or more of these solutions:

Make sure that the printable side of the paper is face up in the sheet feeder.

Run the Head Cleaning utility to clear any clogged ink nozzles. Windows Me, 98 or 95 users can start the now.

Clear all settings, and select Automatic as the Mode setting on your printer software's Main menu (Windows) or in the Print dialog box (Macintosh).

Check the error light. If the light is flashing, replace the appropriate ink cartridge. See Replacing an Ink Cartridge for details.

Make sure that Maximum is not selected as the Printable Area setting in your printer software. When this setting is selected, banding may occur in the expanded area.

Make sure that the Media Type selected in the printer software is appropriate for the type of media loaded in the printer.

Select Micro Wave if the setting is active.

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Vertical misalignment or banding

Try one or more of these solutions:

Make sure that the printable side of the paper is face up in the sheet feeder.

Run the Print Head Alignment utility. Windows Me, 98 or 95 users can start the now.

Clear the High Speed check box in the Advanced dialog box of your printer software's Advanced dialog box. For Windows users, see Making the Advanced settings for details. For Macintosh users, see Making the Advanced settings.

Select Micro Wave if the setting is active.

Run the Head Cleaning utility to clear any clogged ink nozzles. Windows Me, 98 or 95 users can start the now.

Make sure that the Media Type setting selected in the printer software is appropriate for the type of media loaded in the printer.

Make sure that the position of the adjust lever is appropriate for the media type. When printing on media of normal thickness, set the adjust lever to the "-" position. When printing on envelopes or thick media, set the position to "+" .

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Color gaps

Try one or more of these solutions:

Make sure that your paper is not damaged, dirty, or too old. Also, make sure that the printable side of the paper is face up in the sheet feeder.

Run the Head Cleaning utility to clear any clogged ink nozzles. Windows Me, 98 or 95 users can start the now.

Check the error light. If the light is flashing, replace the appropriate ink cartridge. See Replacing an Ink Cartridge.

Adjust the color settings in your application or in your printer software's Advanced dialog box. For instructions, see Making the Advanced settings for Windows or Making the Advanced settings for Macintosh.

Clear all settings, and select Automatic as the Mode setting on your printer software's Main menu (Windows) or in the Print dialog box (Macintosh).

Make sure that the Media Type setting selected in the printer software is appropriate for the type of media that is loaded in the printer.

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Incorrect or missing colors

Try one or more of these solutions:

Change the Ink setting in your printer software to Color. For instructions, see Using the Automatic mode for Windows or Using the Automatic mode for Macintosh.

Adjust the color settings in your application or in your printer software's Advanced dialog box. For instructions, see Making the Advanced settings for Windows or Making the Advanced settings for Macintosh.

Run the Head Cleaning utility. Windows Me, 98 or 95 users can start the now. If colors are still incorrect or missing, replace the color ink cartridge. If the problem persists, replace the black ink cartridge. See Replacing an Ink Cartridge for details.

Make sure that you are not using an ink cartridge with an expired date printed on the cartridge carton. Also, if you have not used the printer for a long time, replace with new ink cartridges. See Replacing an Ink Cartridge.

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Blurry or smeared printout

Try one or more of these solutions:

Make sure that the printer is on a flat, stable surface that extends beyond the printer base in all directions. The printer will not operate properly if it is tilted.

Make sure that your paper is dry and that the printable side is facing up. Also, make sure that you are using an acceptable paper type. See Paper for specifications.

Clear all settings, and select Automatic as the Mode setting on your printer software's Main menu (Windows) or in the Print dialog box (Macintosh).

If the paper is curled toward the printable side, flatten it or curl it slightly toward the opposite side.

Set the adjust lever to the "+" position, and make sure the Media Type setting in your printer driver is correct.

Remove each sheet from the output tray as it is printed, especially if you are using transparencies.

If you are printing on glossy media or transparencies, place a support sheet (or a sheet of plain paper) beneath the stack. Or, load only one sheet at a time.

When printing on thick media, set the adjust lever to the "+" position.

Run the Head Cleaning utility. Windows Me, 98 or 95 users can start the now.

Run the Print Head Alignment utility. Windows Me, 98 or 95 users can start the now.

Load and eject dry paper several times. If the problem persists, ink may have leaked inside the printer, so wipe the inside of the printer with a soft, clean cloth.

Warning:

Be careful not to touch the gears or rollers inside the printer.

Caution:

Be careful not to wipe grease on the metal parts under the ink carriage passage.

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