skip to main text

Printouts Are Blank/Blurry or Fuzzy/Inaccurate or Bleeding Colors/Streaks or Lines

Note

  • If black does not print, is faint, or has a blue or red tint, refer to this web page.

  1. Check1 Check paper and print quality settings.

  2. Check2 Make sure of the estimated ink levels in the FINE cartridges.

    When a FINE cartridge runs out of ink, replace empty FINE cartridges with a new one.

  3. Check3 Is the FINE cartridge installed properly?

    If the FINE cartridge is not installed securely, ink may not be ejected correctly. Retract the output tray extension and the paper output tray, open the cover, remove the FINE cartridges and then check the following.

    • Check that there is no orange tape left on the FINE cartridge.

      If the orange tape remains on the FINE cartridge, peel it off.

    • Then install the FINE cartridges again. Push up the ink cartridge lock lever until it clicks into place.

      After confirming that the FINE cartridge is installed properly, close the cover.

  4. Check4 Are the print head nozzles clogged?

    Print the nozzle check pattern to determine whether the ink ejects properly from the print head nozzles.

    1. Step1 Print the nozzle check pattern.

      After printing the nozzle check pattern, examine the pattern.

      If the pattern is not printed correctly, go to the next step.

    2. Step2 Clean the print head.

      After cleaning the print head, print the nozzle check pattern and check the result.

      If it does not improve, go to the next step.

    3. Step3 Clean the print head again.

      After cleaning the print head again, print the nozzle check pattern and check the result.

      If it still does not improve, go to the next step.

    4. Step4 Clean the print head deeply.

      After cleaning the print head deeply, print the nozzle check pattern and check the result.

      If it does not improve, turn off the printer for more than 24 hours without disconnecting the power plug, and go to the next step.

    5. Step5 Clean the print head deeply again.

      After cleaning the print head deeply again, print the nozzle check pattern and check the result.

      If it still does not improve, go to the next step.

    6. Step6 Replace the FINE cartridge.

      If problem is not resolved after performing print head deep cleaning twice, the print head may be damaged, or ink may have run out. Replace the FINE cartridge.

    For details on printing the nozzle check pattern, print head cleaning, and print head deep cleaning, see If Printing Is Faint or Uneven.

  5. Check5 When using paper with one printable surface, check the correct printable side of the paper.

    Printing on the wrong side of such paper may cause unclear prints or prints with reduced quality.

    When you load paper on the front tray, load paper with the printable side facing down.

    Refer to the instruction manual supplied with the paper for detailed information on the printable side.

  • When copying, see also the sections below:

  1. Check6 Is platen glass or glass of ADF dirty?

    Clean the platen glass or the glass of ADF.

    Note

    • If the glass of ADF is dirty, black streaks appear on the paper as shown below.

  2. Check7 Make sure original is properly loaded on platen or ADF.

    When you load the original on the platen, load it with the side to be copied facing down.

    When you load the original on the ADF, load it with the side to be copied facing up.

  3. Check8 Is copy source a printed paper by printer?

    If you use a printout done by this printer as the original, print quality may be reduced depending on the condition of the original.

    Print from the printer directly, or reprint from the computer if you can reprint from it.