Toner Zebra Troubleshooting
1 - How can I install my toner cartridge? 2 - How can I ensure the longest life of the cartridge? 3 - If the toner is low or I get light or faded areas on my printouts, should I change the cartridge immediately or is it still useful?
4 - Do I need to clean the toner cartridge area? How can I do it? 5 - What happens if I shake my toner cartridge? 6 - Removal of toner cartridge sealing tape 7 - I have some printing problems, what is going on and how can I solve them? 8 - I got a message that reads Low Toner, why? What should I do? 9 - How do I print a test page? 10 - I put the wrong type of toner in my laser machine, what should I do?
1 - How can I install my toner cartridge? (Back to Top)
It will be necessary for you to change a toner cartridge when your laser machine indicates that you are out of toner. If it indicates that the toner is low, you may still be able to print a few hundred more pages.
- In order to change your toner cartridge you need to know what model of laser machine you got. There are two names somewhere on the machine. One is the name of the laser machine (e.g. ucrit01), and the other is the name of the model (e.g. HP LaserJet 5m). The latter is the name you need. By knowing this name, you will be able to buy the right cartridge for your machine.
- Turn the machine off and open the top cover.
- Then, open the front cover and pull the drum unit assembly.
- Press down the lock lever and remove the old cartridge from the drum unit. In order to remove the cartridge, pull it upwards and away from the laser machine. The cartridge should come out without making much effort.
- Remove the new cartridge from its packaging, and rock it gently for a few seconds so as to distribute the toner evenly.
We recommend not exposing the cartridge to the light for long (no more than a few minutes). While exposed, cover the cartridge with a piece of paper or cloth.
- Take off the seal from the toner cartridge (a small tab that is attached to a plastic film strip). Make sure you remove this or your laser machine will only print blank pages.
- Install the new cartridge into the laser machine by following the arrows or other cues in the machine that will help you align the cartridge properly. It should slide in using a small amount of force. If it doesn’t, check the cartridge is properly aligned and make sure you are using the correct cartridge. You can find out which toner cartridge is compatible with your laser machine in our website.
- When the cartridge is seated, close the top cover.
- Turn on your laser machine.
Print test pages: if they look good, package the empty cartridge and recycle it-optional. If there are repeated defects, streaks, faded out pages, etc. on your test pages that were not there before you changed toner cartridge, there must be a problem with the cartridge. Install a new one, and print some test pages. If they are clean, it means the first toner cartridge was faulty. If both cartridges have problems, there something wrong with the machine.
2 - How can I ensure the longest life of the cartridge? (Back to Top)
We recommend removing your toner cartridge from its package only when you are ready to use it. Toner cartridges are packed in a moisture proof bag so as to protect them. The shelf life of a toner cartridge in its closed package is around 2.5 years (as long as you store them away from heat, moisture and light.) The shelf life of an open one is much shorter (around 6 months).
In order not to damage the toner cartridge, we recommend not exposing the cartridge to the light for long (no more than a few minutes). While exposed, cover the cartridge with a piece of paper or cloth.
The number of prints that a toner cartridge can give has nothing to do with the time of use but with the page coverage. All laser printers and fax machines have different utilities for you to adjust the image intensity in order to reduce toner consumption. Gain access to them and turn down the intensity dial. By doing this, you will also get less loose toner, reducing signs of nicks on the drum unit and specks on your printouts.
3 - If the toner is low or I get light or faded areas on my printouts, should I change the cartridge immediately or is it still useful?
(Back to Top)
Even if the toner is low and your printouts look faded, you may still be able to improve the print quality of your printouts by redistributing the toner in your cartridge. This will help you to finish your current print jobs until you replace the cartridge.
So as to redistribute the toner, open the printer and remove the cartridge from the laser machine. In order not to damage the toner cartridge, we recommend not exposing the cartridge to the light for long (no more than a few minutes.) While exposed, cover the cartridge with a piece of paper or cloth. Rock the toner cartridge from side to side gently so that the toner redistributes inside the cartridge.
Reinstall the cartridge into the printer and close the machine cover. If the print quality does not improve, you will have to change the toner cartridge.
These images do not represent all laser machines and toner cartridge models. They are given just as examples.
4 - Do I need to clean the toner cartridge area? How can I do it? (Back to Top)
The cleaning of the toner cartridge area is not regularly necessary unless there is an excess of toner in the compartment. Before you clean the laser machine, unplug the power cord and then wait for it to cool. Open the machine and remove the cartridge.
In order not to damage the toner cartridge, we recommend not exposing the cartridge to the light for long (no more than a few minutes). While exposed, cover the cartridge with a piece of paper or cloth. Try not to touch the black sponge, transfer roller inside the laser machine or you will damage it. Use a dry lint-free cloth to clean any residue in the paper path area and the cartridge cavity. Replace the cartridge and close the machine cover and plug the power cord into the machine again.
5 - What happens if I shake my toner cartridge? (Back to Top)
Do not shake toner cartridges. If you got a low toner message and you want to redistribute the toner, you do not need to shake it. Simply rock the cartridge lightly at a forty degree angle, pat it on top gently, and reinstall in the laser machine. Shaking the cartridge is likely to cause the toner to spill.
6 - Removal of toner cartridge sealing tape (Back to Top)
For the toner to be released, it is necessary to remove the cartridge sealing tape. This is a clear plastic strip which is pulled out from inside the toner cartridge. In order to remove the sealing tape, you will need to break the tab that is connected to the toner cartridge and pull. It should FULLY come out of the toner cartridge. When you remove the seal, a small amount of toner will come out with it. We recommend pulling the seal over a trash can. If the seal was not fully removed from the cartridge when you pulled it because it got broken, use scissors to cut the seal. If, after you have cut the seal, the margin of the printouts look faded, the cartridge will have to be replaced.
7 - I have some printing problems, what is going on and how can I solve them? (Back to Top)
I got an Image defect
This type of problem may be caused, not only by the cartridge, but by the fuser. Laser printers include a maintenance kit, which comprises the fuser, paper pickups and transfer roller. These pieces are replaced on a regular page count schedule, when the machine shows a message that reads User Maintenance. Those machines that do not have scheduled maintenance kits regularly have only the fuser replaced when an image defect appears.
I get double imaging in my printouts
You will need to check the fuser assembly since this is the main cause of unwanted duplicated images. Another reason could be an inappropriate combination of drum and toner in a cartridge.
There are unwanted lines on the page
If lines appear on the faxes you receive, the first thing you will have to do is to determine if the problem is in your machine or in the sender’s. Run a copy in your machine. If there are no defects on the copy, the problem has nothing to do with your machine but with the sender’s. Let the sender know about this problem.
If lines appear when you make a copy with a copier or fax, there are several different reasons for this.
- There must be a foreign substance, such as ink, on the scanner glass or on the copier mirrors. To clean it, use a soft cloth dampened with a mild cleaner.
- Make sure the white set bar, which is on the top side of the scanner glass, is not dirty. Clean it with a soft cloth dampened with a mild cleaner.
- If you have done this and the problem is still unsolved, there could be something with the imagine unit. If your machine uses a toner cartridge, then change it.
- Check the waste toner hopper is not full; if it is, replace or empty it and clean it.
- It is possible that there is a bad connection between the machine and the imaging unit. Use a dry towel or cloth to clean these connections.
- You may be using a defective cartridge or there is a bad drum connection. Replace the cartridge. If the problem is not solved, you should contact the cartridge supplier (Brother, Epson, etc.)
- If you got a multi-component system and you have lines on your pages, it is probable that the problem has nothing to do with the toner. You may need to change the drum. Fusers can also cause this problem. A technician will solve this problem.
There are spots on the pages
- If there are spots on the page, like drops, there might be a problem with the developer unit. If so, you will need to replace it.
- If the spots appear all over the page, there may be something wrong with the drum-scratches from a foreign object, for example, or it presents a manufacturer’s defect. You will have to change the toner cartridge.
There are light or blank areas on the pages
- There must be a lack of toner on the drum. Make sure there is toner and that it is getting to the drum.
- It is probable that the drum can no longer hold the toner. You will have to replace the drum.
- It is possible that the paper is causing the problem. If the paper absorbs moisture, the toner will not print on the paper since it does not print on moisture. Use fresh and dry paper. That will solve the problem. Make sure you store your paper in a dry place.
I get only blank pages
- You may not have removed the sealing tape from your cartridge. Remove it and reinstall the toner cartridge.
- The cartridge must be empty. Replace the cartridge.
My prints are too dark
- Your cartridge may not be installed correctly. Reinstall the cartridge. If after reinstalling the cartridge you still get dark pages, you will need to replace your cartridge.
- Check the density is not set too dark.
- You may need to replace the drum.
There are horizontal white lines on my pages
- If they appear in the center of the page, there must be a loose screw in the toner cartridge shutter.
- If you see no loose screw, the cartridge may not be installed correctly defective.
- Reinstall the cartridge. If the problem is not solved, replace the cartridge.
There are horizontal lines or repeated defects
- It is possible that there is a defect in the laser assembly, the DC power controller unit or the gear train. If so, get your laser machine serviced.
There are thin black lines on my pages
Static electricity may produce thick black lines that look like ink stains on the page. The cartridge may be defective or empty. Replace the toner cartridge if necessary.
There are vertical, thin white stripes on my pages
- The laser machine may be dirty. Clean the charge corona wire in the toner cartridge with the cleaning tool that comes with your machine.
- The cartridge may almost empty. Replace it.
- The machine mechanisms or the laser beam path or mirror (on some models) is dirty. If so, have your laser machine serviced or cleaned.
Some colors are missing on my pages
If certain colors are not being printed, the cartridge may be the cause. If you get an error message that reads “Y/M/C/ K Toner Crtg Out", this means that you have not installed a toner cartridge in your laser machine. Install the color that is indicated (Y/M/C/ K.)
There are random white areas
- This occurs because you are using damp paper. Replace your paper stock.
Colors are out of alignment
The laser machine is dirty inside.
- This will occur if you install a new black toner cartridge and a ROS cleaning has not been performed.
My prints are too light
- We recommend changing your paper; the one you are using may not be suitable.
- The cartridge may be low on toner or empty. You may change the cartridge is necessary.
- Turn off the economy mode if it is on.
- Check the print density, quality and retention settings of your laser machine.
- Check if this problem has to do with the printer or the cartridge. To do so, switch the cartridge with another laser machine (make sure they use the same toner cartridge) or install a back-up.
- Clean your beam-to-drum mirror, corona wire or scanner lens. This will clear many light print problems. Refer to your laser machine manual.
- In the printer driver, select Advanced and, then, set the Draft Mode check box to off
- You may need to replace the drum cartridge.
My prints are faded or light
- You may be using paper with the wrong weight. Check the specifications of the paper weight for your laser machine.
- The cartridge may be low on toner or empty. Replace it.
- Turn off the economy mode if it is on.
There is some dirt on the back of my pages
- The printer may be dirty inside. Clean your laser machine.
- The cartridge may be linking toner. Replace the cartridge carefully.
8 - I got a message that reads Low Toner, why? What should I do? (Back to Top)
- Make sure you have removed the sealing tape.
- Check you have installed a toner cartridge in the machine.
- The bag and/or box may have not been correctly sealed before you opened the package.
- If the cartridge is low you can redistribute the cartridge (see Tip “If the toner is low or I get light or faded areas on my printouts, should I change the cartridge immediately or it is still useful?”)
- If the machine does not print after redistributing the cartridge, you have to replace the cartridge.
- If you have replaced the cartridge and you still get a low message, the laser machine might be the problem.
- The high voltage power supply may be the cause of the problem. If you need to finish a print job, gain access to the configuration menu. Then, to the control panel on the printer. Once there, set the laser machine to Low Toner Continue.
You have just changed your toner cartridge and you get a message that reads LOW TONER
If you've installed a new cartridge in the laser machine and the toner light turns on, you may have accidentally installed an empty toner cartridge. Mark your empty cartridge boxes so as to differentiate them as empty and avoid confusions.
Another possibility is that you have forgotten to remove the sealing tape on the cartridge. Make sure this seal is removed otherwise the toner will not be detected in the laser machine.
9 - How do I print a test page? (Back to Top)
Through these instructions you will be able to print a test page with most laser machines:
- Click on Start. Then select Settings and then Printer.
- Right-click on the machine name, and then left-click on Properties
- Click on “Print Test Page”
10 - I put the wrong type of toner in my laser machine, what should I do? (Back to Top)
If you made the mistake of adding the wrong type of toner in your laser machine and the machine uses non-magnetic toner, the toner mixed with iron powder and you will need to call the developer. Both will have to be removed and the residue must be vacuumed out.
In the case your laser machine uses magnetic toner, there will be less toner in the machine. Try to remove as much toner as you can without scratching the roller.
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