It can be frustrating when your printer leaves black lines or smudges all over your documents, particularly if you need it for something urgent. In addition, these smudges can have a pattern to them or they can be completely random. There are some steps you can take to prevent this problem from happening in good time so that when you have time-sensitive tasks to complete, you do not run into such a hindrance. In this article, we share with you the common problems that can occur on printed pages and what you can do to resolve them.
Horizontal Black Lines Down the Sides of Pages
When your printer leaves black lines, the lines indicate that there are excess toner powders on the rollers or transfer belt within the printer. As the paper is moved along by the rollers and transfer belt, any excess powder left on them can result in lines being left on the paper. If there are no patterns to the lines or they are in the middle of the page, there could be marks or a piece of dirt stuck on the transfer belt.
To resolve this situation, get a lint-free cloth, a soft paint brush and some isopropyl alcohol to clean any rollers within reach. Always make sure you are wearing gloves before carrying out any cleaning as you do not want to get ink on your hands or leave marks on the rollers. If cleaning does not solve the problem, the rollers or transfer belt may need to be replaced.
Smudges in the Same Spot or Different Spots
If you printed a bunch of pages and there are smudges that always seem to appear in the same spot, the biggest likelihood is that there is a piece of dirt or a fingerprint on the drum or rollers. If, however, you have compared the marks and they show up in different spots, the problem most likely lies with the drum.
The first thing to do when you spot this problem is to take a look inside the printer and see if there is any dirt on the drum and/or rollers. If so, carry out the same cleaning process as above, being mindful to put gloves on. If you have a new toner on hand, replace it to see if it solves the problem. The drum unit and fuser unit may need to be replaced if the problem persists.
Get Printer Fleet Maintenance Services from Ameritechnology
If you have attempted cleaning and replacing the different parts of your printer but the problem still has not gone away, it may be time to call in printer fleet maintenance services. At Ameritechnology, we have been delivering the one-on-one services our clients need to improve their bottom line since 1984. We have vast experience and expertise in maintaining many different models of printers and boosting the efficiency of businesses. If you have any questions regarding our printer maintenance services, please feel free to contact us today.
