troubleshootmyprinter.blog

Fix Streaks on Paper – Printer Troubleshooting Guide | TroubleshootMyPrinter




How to Fix: Streaks on Paper

Printed pages have visible lines, bands, or streaks running across or along the page. Streaks can appear as horizontal or vertical lines and may be caused by clogged nozzles, scratched drum surfaces, or contaminated internal components. This guide walks you through the most common causes and step-by-step solutions to fix streaks on paper on any printer, regardless of brand or model.

Common Causes

This problem is most often caused by one or more of the following:

  • Clogged or partially blocked inkjet print head nozzles
  • Scratched or worn photoconductor drum on laser printers
  • Debris or toner buildup on the transfer roller or corona wire
  • Leaking or damaged toner cartridge spilling toner inside the printer
  • Dirty encoder strip on inkjet printers causing misalignment

Step-by-Step Solution

Follow these steps to diagnose and fix the issue. Test your printer after each step.

  1. Step 1: Run the printer’s print head cleaning utility multiple times for inkjet printers
  2. Step 2: Print a nozzle check pattern to identify which color channels are affected
  3. Step 3: For laser printers, remove and inspect the toner cartridge for damage or leaks
  4. Step 4: Clean or replace the drum unit if streaks appear at regular intervals on the page
  5. Step 5: Clean the encoder strip with a lint-free cloth dampened with distilled water (inkjet printers)
  6. Step 6: Inspect and clean the transfer belt and fuser rollers on laser printers
  7. Step 7: Replace any damaged consumables identified during inspection

Brand-Specific Troubleshooting

Some printer brands require slightly different troubleshooting approaches. See the brand-specific guidance below.

Hp Printers

HP LaserJet streaks at regular intervals often indicate a damaged imaging drum. Print a cleaning page from Settings > Service. On HP inkjet printers, use the HP Smart app’s Print Quality Diagnostic tool to identify specific problem areas.

For more Hp-specific troubleshooting, visit our Hp Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Canon Printers

Canon laser printers may develop streaks when the drum unit’s charge roller is dirty. Clean it gently with a dry lint-free cloth. On Canon PIXMA inkjets, the encoder strip can be accessed by removing the top cover for cleaning.

For more Canon-specific troubleshooting, visit our Canon Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Epson Printers

Horizontal streaks on Epson printers typically indicate clogged nozzles. Use the nozzle check utility to identify blocked channels. If regular cleaning does not resolve the issue, soak the print head in warm distilled water for 24 hours as a last resort.

For more Epson-specific troubleshooting, visit our Epson Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Brother Printers

Brother laser printers producing vertical streaks usually need the corona wire cleaned. Open the front cover, remove the drum unit, and slide the green cleaning tab back and forth. Repeating streaks every 94mm indicate a drum defect requiring replacement.

For more Brother-specific troubleshooting, visit our Brother Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Related Problems

Users experiencing streaks on paper often encounter these related issues:

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my laser printer leave black streaks on every page?

Black streaks on a laser printer are typically caused by a damaged or worn drum unit, a leaking toner cartridge, or toner buildup on the transfer roller. Remove the toner cartridge and inspect it for cracks or leaks. Check the drum surface for scratches by gently rotating it. If the drum shows visible damage, replace the drum unit.

How do I fix horizontal lines on my inkjet printer output?

Horizontal lines or banding on inkjet prints indicate partially clogged nozzles. Run the print head cleaning utility 2-3 times, printing a nozzle check pattern after each cleaning. If lines persist, let the printer sit for several hours to allow the cleaning solution to work, then try again. Severe clogs may require manual print head cleaning.

Why do streaks appear only when printing in color but not in black and white?

If streaks only appear in color prints, the issue is likely with a specific color ink or toner cartridge, or the corresponding drum unit. Print a nozzle check (inkjet) or diagnostic page (laser) to identify which color is affected. Replace the problematic color cartridge or the corresponding drum unit.

Need brand-specific help?

This guide covers the general fix. For model-specific instructions, find your printer brand below and navigate to your exact model for tailored troubleshooting steps.