What Causes Specks on the Paper From a Printer?

Use only quality toner in your laser printer.

One of the most common complaints among printer owners is spots and streaks on printouts. If you notice this type of problem, you need to take steps to fix it as soon as you can. These types of problems only get worse over time, and if you ignore the issue, you could ruin your printer.

Leaking Toner Cartridge

If you have a laser printer, the most likely cause of spots and streaks on the paper is a bad toner cartridge. If the toner cartridge is leaking, it can quickly contaminate the entire paper path by leaking toner powder into the interior of the printer. Check for leaks by removing the toner cartridge and sitting it on a cloth or paper towel. Discard and replace any toner cartridges that leak.

Refilled Inkjets

Refilling your inkjet cartridges can save you a lot of money, but, if you are not careful, those refilled cartridges can leak and cause problems with your printouts. When you do refill the cartridges, always set them on a paper towel or cloth first to make sure they are not leaking. If you notice problems after refilling the cartridges, remove them and check them for leaks and excess ink. Clean the cartridges thoroughly before putting them back in the printer and discard any cartridges that are leaking.

Contaminated Paper Path

If you do not see any evidence of leaking toner or a faulty inkjet cartridge, chances are the problem is a contaminated paper path. Over time, small amounts of toner powder and ink can leak out of the cartridge, even if it is not defective. Those small amounts can build up over time until they become a problem for your printer. Using a small vacuum cleaner to clean the interior of the printer is the best way to deal with a contaminated paper path.

Cleaning the Pirnter

If you notice streaks and spots on your paper, you should immediately start cleaning the interior of the unit. You can start by opening the toner cartridge door, removing the toner and cleaning underneath it. If you have an inkjet printer, open the inkjet compartment, remove the inkjet cartridges and clean the cartridges and the carrier thoroughly. You also can buy special printer cleaning sheets that you run through the printer to clean the paper path. These sheets have a sticky texture to grab the stray toner and paper dust as they move through the printer's paper path.