How to Remove Streaks From a Laser Printer
For the most part, laser printers provide superior quality than other types of printers, but these units can have their problems. One of the most common issues with laser printers is uneven print quality, including streaks and dark spots on the printouts. Determining the source of the problem, and resolving it quickly, is the best way to get your printer back in service.
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Things You'll Need
- Printer
- Toner
- Fuser cartridge
- Soft cloth
- Small vacuum cleaner
- Laser printer cleaning sheets
Instructions
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Check the printouts to see if the streaks and the print rubs off of the paper easily. If the ink rubs off of the paper easily, the fuser cartridge needs to be changed.
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Turn the printer off, and allow it to sit for at least half an hour before changing the fuser cartridge. The fuser gets very hot, and trying to work with the hot cartridge could cause a serious burn.
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Open the fuser cartridge door. On most printers this door will be either on the left-hand side of the printer or in the back. Consult your owner's manual for the exact location. Flip down the clips that hold the cartridge in place, then grasp the handle and pull it out of the printer.
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Push the new fuser cartridge in until it snaps into place, then flip the clips up to lock it in place. Close the fuser cover door.
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Open the toner cartridge door and remove the toner cartridge. On most laser printers the toner cartridge is located either in the front of the printer or on the right-hand side.
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Vacuum underneath the toner cartridge to remove all paper dust and toner residue. This debris has a tendency to build up and cause streaks and stains on the paper.
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Wipe the interior of the printer with a soft cloth to remove any remaining debris that could cause problems with print quality. Continue cleaning the printer until all debris is removed.
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Purchase a set of laser printer cleaning sheets, and load one or two in the paper tray. Print to those sheets of paper to clean the paper path. These sheets are slightly sticky, and they are designed to remove dirt and debris from the paper path.
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References
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