How does your print look?

Your printer passed this check.

Likely cause: blocked nozzles on an inkjet, or a drum, toner or corona wire problem on a laser.

1. 1.On an inkjet, print the nozzle check and look for gaps in the black band.
2. 2.On a laser, follow the maker’s cleaning steps for streaks, and check whether the lines sit in the same place on each page.
3. 3.Reprint this page and compare.

Fix streaks or lines

Likely cause: low ink or toner, a draft or economy mode, or partly blocked black nozzles.

1. 1.Check that draft, economy or toner-save mode is off.
2. 2.Check the ink or toner level, and remember the level shown is an estimate.
3. 3.On an inkjet, print the nozzle check. On a laser, follow the maker’s steps for faint print.

Fix faded print

Likely cause: a low quality setting, a paper type setting that does not match the paper, or an inkjet head that needs cleaning or alignment.

1. 1.Reprint at High or Best quality with the right paper type selected.
2. 2.On an inkjet, run a nozzle check and then align the print head.
3. 3.Try a fresh sheet of the same paper.

Fix banding

Likely cause: ink that has not dried on paper that does not suit it, or toner that is not fully fused on a laser.

1. 1.Let the sheet dry before you touch it, and use paper that suits the printer.
2. 2.Match the paper type setting to the paper in the tray.
3. 3.On a laser, follow the maker’s guidance for smearing toner.

Fix smudges

Likely cause: an empty or badly seated cartridge, severely blocked nozzles, or a driver or paper feed problem.

1. 1.Check the cartridges or toner are installed and not empty.
2. 2.Remove any protective tape or film from new cartridges.
3. 3.Print the printer’s own test page to separate a printer problem from a computer one.

Fix blank pages