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Laser prints gray lines on paper

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We have an NEC 1260 Laser printer which has started printing gray lines every 3.75 inches in addition to the normal output. These gray lines are perpendicular to the long side of the paper. The lines are faint but annoying to the users.

How do I go about correcting this problem without buying a new toner cartridge?

Thanks;

Stan

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Laser prints gray lines on paper

In reply to Laser prints gray lines on paper

Hi, If the problem can be fixed by replacing the toner cartridge, the problem is most likely scratches on the photoconductive ‘drum’ (that’s part of the cartridge). This could have been caused by some other problem in your printer or improper clearing of a paper jam. The easiest way to troubleshoot is to replace the cartridge (although that’s not an inexpensive solution). Sorry, but if the drum doesn’t fix it then it’s time for service. Good luck —Will

Laser prints gray lines on paper

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Laser prints gray lines on paper

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Although the drum is a probable cause, most laser printer cartriges have a corona wire in them. This wire can get a buildup and cause lines on the page. There should be a corona wire cleaner that came with the printer (usually coloured green) somewhere in the cartrige cavity. Because this wire is also in the cartrige just changing the cartrige is a very expensive solution.

Laser prints gray lines on paper

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Laser prints gray lines on paper

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Look at the drum of the toner cartridge… if you see lines on it, then replacing the toner will resolve the problem.

If you do not see streaks or toner on the drum, then the problem is elsewhere in the printer.

Toner can be dropped anywhere in the printer and it can cause streaking. Clen the paper path thouroughly.

If the problem still exists after a thourough cleaning, then the most likely cause is toner trapped in the fuser assembly. Some printers have cleaning processes, whereby you print a cleaning page and then process the cleaning page (I do not know if your NEC printer has this feature); sometimes that cleans out the fuser assembly. Check your manual.

Fuser assemblies vary in price, so you need to figure out how much you are willing to spend to repair the printer or to get a new network printer.

Laser prints gray lines on paper

In reply to Laser prints gray lines on paper

Thanks for the answers to my question about the laser printer lines. I was hoping that someone would come up with an inexpensive method to rid my laser world of those lines. However, I think I’ll live with it for a while. Then, replace the toner/fuser cartridge.

Laser prints gray lines on paper

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