Printing /

Printing Problems - Solutions /

2 - Common Problems

Here are some solutions to common printing problems.

Printer Doesn't Work

1) Check to see if the power cord is connected.

2) Reset any circuit breakers on power strips and surge stressors.

3) Turn printer on and off to reset.

4) Check if the cable is connected, and the doors and trays are in their proper positions.

5) Check to make sure the printer is properly recognizing the type and size of the paper that you're using.

6) Your printer may have a button that toggles between online and offline states.

If so, check to make the printer is online.

Is it the Printer or the Computer?

Is the problem caused by the printer or your computer?

Print a test page from the printer's control panel, not from your computer.

If the printer makes the print successfully, the problem is with your computer, software, or cable.

Banding

Banding is an abrupt transition of color where there should be a smooth transition.

Cause #1

Banding may be caused by air bubbles in a nozzle.

Running the cleaning cycle over-and-over may create more nozzle-blocking air bubbles.

Instead, don't do anything for a couple of hours, allowing the air bubbles to migrate out of the nozzle.

Note that when an air bubble enters a drop generator, and the generator is operated without ink, it can be irreparably damaged.

Cause #2

Banding may be caused by a clogged nozzle.

Use the check nozzle function, and follow manufacturer's instructions for using the cleaning function.

Recalcitrant clogs may be dislodged by using cleaning solutions.

inksupply.com and fixyourownprinter.com both sell a kits, and Lyson sells cleaning cartridges, for example.

Cleaning solutions and their application methods may not be recommended by your printer manufacturer.

Cause #3

If you're using the relative colorimetric rendering intent, try the perceptual rendering intent instead.

The relative colorimetric rendering intent takes out-of-gamut colors, colors that can't be reproduced, and converts them to the last in-gamut color.

So, you may have a range of out-of-gamut colors that are being converted to a single color.

Blurry Prints

If the paper must be printed on one side only. check to make sure the paper is loaded properly.

Color

A Color Caste

A clogged nozzle may shift the color balance.

Use the check nozzle function, and follow manufacturer's instructions for using the cleaning function.

Strange Color

Make sure the printer driver is not performing color management.

For example:

1) You've turned color management on in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.

2) You've used the software to convert a file to Printer Profile 1245.

3) You click Print, and the file is sent to the printer.

4) If the printer driver has color management turned on, it may also apply a color profile, say, Printer Profile 54321.

5) The print looks strange.

The colors will be off, there may be a color caste in gray areas, and the print may be too light.

Go to Print.

Click Page Set Up > Printer > Properties.

Look for a section concerning color management, often abbreviated ICM, and make the selection for no color management by the printer driver.

This may be designated by the phrase, Same As Source.

Bronzing

As you tilt a glossy print at different angles, portions of the surface may appear to be less glossy, and may have a varnished appearance.

Bronzing varies depending in ink sets and paper.

Gaps & Faint Areas

A clogged nozzle may create gaps and faint areas.

Use the check nozzle function, and follow manufacturer's instructions for using the cleaning function.

Repeating White Lines

A clogged nozzle may create repeating white lines.

Use the check nozzle function, and follow manufacturer's instructions for using the cleaning function.

Repeating white lines may also be caused by the printer head being out of alignment.

To align, follow the manufacturer's instructions for head alignment.

Spots, Marks, Streaks

1) Dried ink, inside the printer, may be flaking off onto the paper as it travels through the printer.

2) Hair or lint may be lodged on the nozzles.

3) The nozzles rest on a foam cleaning pad.

If this parking pad becomes dirty, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

4) The face (bottom) of the print head may need cleaning.

To clean, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Procedure - To Clean Off the Bottom of the Print Head (Start at section 6.1)

Print Head Maintenance

Poor Quality B&W Prints

The best B&W prints are made using:

1) Ink sets with seven or eight inks

2) B&W ink sets

3) Printer profiles

Consider using Raster Image Processing (RIP) software.

RIPs take over the duties of the manufacturer's printer driver and more.

Typically, many profiles are available.

Image Print

InkJet Control/OpenPrintMaker

Quad Tone Rip

QTRgui User interface for Quad Tone RIP

B&W Prints Change Color

This is due to metamerism, a phenomenon most visible when viewing B&W prints.

A B&W print may have color caste x when viewed under one type to light source, and color caste y when viewed with different illumination.

B&W prints often look slightly magenta under tungsten light, and greenish when viewed with daylight.

Cartridge Problems

If a new cartridge doesn't work:

1) The ink outlet hole of the cartridge may be dry.

Wrap the cartridge in paper towels.

Point the ink outlet hole down, and snap downward a couple of times.

2) The vent may be blocked by a label.

If air can't get into the cartridge, the ink can't get out.

Use a pin to open the vent.

Corrupt Printer Driver

A corrupt printer driver can cause many problems.

Download and install the latest driver.

Cleaning

To clean, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Use the information and cleaning solutions below at your own risk.

Article

Cleaning Issues & Tips InkjetMall.com

Cleaning Kits

Cleaning Inkjet Printer Blockages CompuBiz Inkjet

Epson Print Head Cleaning Solution Kit MaxPatch Ink

More Printing Help

Paper Size Charts

Pixels, PPI, & Print Size Calculators

Printing Problems: Prevention

Printing Resources

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