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Fix Ghosting on Prints – Printer Troubleshooting Guide | TroubleshootMyPrinter




How to Fix: Ghosting on Prints

A faint duplicate image or shadow of previously printed content appears on the page, offset from the main content. Ghosting is primarily a laser printer issue caused by fuser problems, drum contamination, or environmental factors affecting the electrophotographic process. This guide walks you through the most common causes and step-by-step solutions to fix ghosting on prints on any printer, regardless of brand or model.

Common Causes

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

  • Fuser not reaching the correct temperature to fully bond toner to the page
  • Worn or contaminated fuser rollers not clearing toner between pages
  • Drum unit retaining a residual charge from the previous print cycle
  • Low-quality or incorrect paper not absorbing toner properly during fusing
  • Toner cartridge or drum unit nearing end of life

Step-by-Step Solution

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

  1. Step 1: Print a cleaning page from the printer’s maintenance menu to clean the fuser and transfer path
  2. Step 2: Power off the printer for 15-30 minutes to allow the fuser to fully cool and reset
  3. Step 3: Replace the drum unit if it is near or past its rated page count
  4. Step 4: Try a different brand or type of paper to rule out media-related ghosting
  5. Step 5: Check and replace the fuser unit if it has exceeded its rated life
  6. Step 6: Ensure the printer is in a stable environment — avoid extreme humidity or temperature
  7. Step 7: Reduce print density in the driver settings to lessen the amount of toner applied

Brand-Specific Troubleshooting

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

Hp Printers

HP LaserJet ghosting is commonly caused by a worn fuser. Access the fuser page count through the configuration page (print from printer menu). HP Enterprise models have user-replaceable fusers. On HP printers, ‘positive ghosting’ (light image) indicates a drum issue, while ‘negative ghosting’ (dark shadow) indicates a fuser issue.

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

Brother Printers

Brother laser printers may ghost when the drum unit’s corona wire is dirty. Clean the corona wire using the green tab. If ghosting persists with a repeating pattern approximately 94mm apart, the drum surface is damaged and needs replacement.

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

Lexmark Printers

Lexmark printers have a ‘Print Defects Guide’ accessible from the printer menu that shows sample defects and their solutions. Ghosting on Lexmark printers is often resolved by running the ‘Fuser Cleaning’ page from Maintenance > Troubleshooting.

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

Xerox Printers

Xerox printers with ghosting issues may need the bias transfer roller or fuser replaced. Access the supplies life status through the printer’s configuration page or CentreWare. Xerox provides detailed print quality troubleshooting guides for each model.

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

Related Problems

Users experiencing ghosting on prints often encounter these related issues:

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes ghost images on laser printer output?

Ghosting occurs when residual toner or charge from a previous image is not completely removed before the next page is processed. The two main causes are a worn fuser that does not fully clean between pages and a drum unit that retains a residual charge. The repeating distance of the ghost image indicates which component is responsible — measure the repeat distance and compare it to the drum and fuser roller circumferences.

Can paper type cause ghosting?

Yes, paper type can contribute to ghosting. Paper that is too smooth, too heavy, or has a coating incompatible with the fuser temperature may not absorb toner properly, leading to ghosting. Use paper within the printer’s recommended weight and type specifications. In humid environments, paper can absorb moisture which also contributes to ghosting.

Is ghosting a sign my printer needs repair?

Not always. Ghosting can often be resolved by replacing consumables (drum unit, toner cartridge) or running cleaning cycles. However, if ghosting persists after replacing all consumables, the fuser assembly likely needs replacement. On some models, the fuser is user-replaceable, while on others it requires professional service.

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.