Problem Solver / Troubleshooting

# Print Quality Problems

The background is dark or dirty
Cause | What to do
The paper path inside the printer may be dusty. | Turn off the printer. Clean internal printer components by printing three pages with only one character per page.
You may not be using the correct type of paper for your printer. | If the surface of your paper is too rough, printed characters may appear distorted or broken. Smooth, high-quality copier paper is recommended for best results. See Available paper types for information on choosing paper.
The Density setting may be too dark. | Lighten the Density setting in the printer driver.
There may be a problem with the developer cartridge. | Turn off the printer. Remove the cartridge, shake it gently from side to side, and then reinstall it. If this does not solve the problem, replace the developer cartridge as described under Developer Cartridge.
There may be a problem with the photoconductor unit. | Turn off the printer. Remove the unit, and then reinstall it. If this does not solve the problem, replace the photoconductor unit as described under Photoconductor Unit.
Black or white bands appear in the printout
Cause | What to do
The paper path inside the printer may be dusty. | Turn off the printer. Clean internal printer components by printing three pages with only one character per page.
There may be a problem with the developer cartridge. | Turn off the printer. Remove the cartridge, shake it gently from side to side, and then reinstall it. If this does not solve the problem, replace the developer cartridge as described under Developer Cartridge.
There may be a problem with the photoconductor unit. | Turn off the printer. Remove the unit, and then reinstall it. If this does not solve the problem, replace the photoconductor unit as described under Photoconductor Unit.
Missing areas on printed image
Cause | What to do
Your paper may be moist or damp. | This printer is sensitive to moisture absorbed by the paper. The higher the moisture content in the paper, the lighter the printed output. Do not store paper in a humid or damp environment.
You may not be using the correct type of paper for your printer. | If the surface of your paper is too rough, printed characters may appear distorted or broken. Smooth, high-quality copier paper is recommended for best results. See Available paper types for information on choosing paper.
Completely blank pages
Cause | What to do
There may be no toner in the developer cartridge. | If the toner status in the EPSON Status Monitor 3 utility indicates that the amount of toner is low, see Developer Cartridge for information on replacing the developer cartridge.
The developer cartridge is not installed correctly. | Check that the developer cartridge is installed as described under Developer Cartridge.
The problem may be with your application software or interface cable. | Print out a status sheet through the printer driver. If blank pages continue to appear, the problem may be with the printer. Turn off the printer and contact your dealer.
The printed image is light or faint
Cause | What to do
Your paper may be moist or damp. | The higher the moisture content in the paper, the lighter the printed output. Do not store paper in a humid or damp environment.
The Toner Save mode may be on. | Turn off the Toner Save mode using the printer driver.
There may be a problem with the developer cartridge. | Take out the developer cartridge, shake it gently from side to side to distribute the toner, and then reinstall it. If the problem persists, replace the cartridge as described under Developer Cartridge.
The image is too dark
Cause | What to do
There may be a problem with the developer cartridge. | If the problem persists, replace the developer cartridge as described under Developer Cartridge.
Non-printed side of the page is dirty
Cause | What to do
Toner may have spilled onto the paper feed path. | Turn off the printer. Clean internal printer components.

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