How does your print look?

Your printer passed this check.

Likely cause: a partially clogged nozzle or a dirty print head (inkjet), or a worn drum or roller (laser).

1. 1.Print the nozzle check sheet to see which color the lines belong to.
2. 2.On an inkjet, run one head cleaning cycle from the printer menu or driver, then reprint this page.
3. 3.If the lines remain, run one more cleaning cycle and stop there. Cleaning uses ink.
4. 4.On a laser printer, lines usually point to a toner cartridge or drum issue, so check the cartridge instructions.

Fix streaks or lines

Likely cause: an empty or clogged ink channel, or a color setting that is off.

1. 1.Check ink or toner levels and make sure every cartridge is seated and not expired.
2. 2.Print the nozzle check sheet to see whether that color prints at all.
3. 3.On an inkjet, run one cleaning cycle and reprint. If it is still missing, try one more and then stop.

Fix missing color

Can mean: color management is converting colors twice, or a color setting does not match the paper. Screens and printers also do not show the same range of colors.

1. 1.In the print dialog, let only one place manage color: either the printer or the app, not both.
2. 2.Choose the paper type that matches what is loaded.
3. 3.Compare against the CMYK version of the sheet, since an RGB file is converted by the printer.

Fix wrong colors

Likely cause: low ink or toner, a draft or economy mode, or the wrong paper type setting.

1. 1.Turn off draft, economy or toner save mode and set the quality to normal or high.
2. 2.Check that the paper type setting matches the paper you loaded.
3. 3.Check ink or toner levels and replace a low cartridge if needed.

Fix faded prints

Likely cause: a head that needs alignment or cleaning (inkjet), or paper feed variation. Low print quality settings can also show banding.

1. 1.Raise the print quality setting and reprint.
2. 2.Run the printer’s head alignment once, then reprint.
3. 3.If bands persist, print the nozzle check sheet and look for gaps.

Fix banding

Likely cause: the print was scaled, often by a “Fit to page” or “Shrink to fit” option.

1. 1.Set scaling to 100% or “Actual size” and turn off Fit to page.
2. 2.Reprint and measure again.

Check your scale