Why the printer prints stripes and how to fix it

Owners of printers know that sooner or later it starts to print in stripes. These bands can be wide or narrow, horizontal or vertical, of different colors. If there are not many of them, it can somehow be endured on the printed text, but they immediately spoil the photo. The reasons why this happens are different, because there are both jet and laser devices. Their design is completely different, but this problem is common to all. Therefore, the methods of its solution will also be different, and we will consider them separately.

Troubleshoot printer problems: print stripes.

Why an inkjet printer prints stripes

This model prints with the help of liquid ink, which is poured into special cartridges. Ink ejection occurs through a multitude of microscopic-sized nozzles Therefore, the most common reasons why the inkjet printer began to “strip” are the following:

  1. The paint ends in a certain color.
  2. Cartridge nozzles clogged or dried out.

To avoid such a problem, owners of such devices are recommended to periodically print, at least slightly, in different colors. This should be done at least once a couple of weeks. Otherwise, the paint in the nozzles may start to dry out, and streaks will appear as the paint flows unevenly. You also need to timely refill cartridges, if they are refillable, or to replace them in a timely manner when the paint is running out.

Ink level problems - what can be done

Each printer has software that comes bundled and installed with the drivers. It allows you to check the ink level. Each model of these programs differ, so we will not consider them in detail. You can find them in the Start menu, in the program folder with the model name. If white non-printed areas began to appear on the sheet, it is worth checking whether the paint has run out. If it has ended, then there are only two options:

  1. If the cartridge can be refilled, then you need to do it. In many HP models, for example, this is done simply.
  2. If the cartridge cannot be refilled, it must be replaced with a new one.

Often cartridges have a special chip and number. The device remembers that there is no ink in the cartridge with this particular number, and even if they are filled in, it will not work. Epson, Canon in this regard are usually reserved. Some models have a continuous ink supply system, and the level of paint is visible through the walls of the containers. Here you can simply add paint as you use it. But if, after refilling the cartridge, the printer still prints stripes, the problem is much more serious. Most likely, the nozzles of the printing device are clogged.

Printhead problems

The main reason why a color printer prints stripes is a rare use. Because of this, the ink residues in the nozzles dry up or air gets into them. If you don’t use the device for several months, it can stop printing at all and then you have to change the cartridges to new ones, even if they still have paint. To prevent this, the printer should be switched on at least once a week, so that some fresh ink can flow through the nozzles. If the print goes, but there are gaps in the form of unprinted places - white stripes, which means some nozzles do not work. The first thing you can try to clean them programmatically. To do this, each inkjet printer has a special utility that comes in the kit. You can find it by running the service program. They are all different, but there is always an item called “Cleaning the cartridge”, or “Cleaning nozzles”, or “Checking the nozzles”. Take advantage of this by following the instructions. Sometimes it needs to be done 2-3 times until the bands disappear.

Printers using continuous ink supply, except for the printing unit, may have a problem with filters in banks. They may become polluted and not allow air to pass through. Because of this, the paint does not flow to the head. These filters can be cleaned or removed. If software methods do not help, you can gently wipe the print head with some cleaning agent. Well suited for this "Mr. Muskul." A napkin should be used such that does not leave lint and dust. Worse, you will not do this, because if the cartridge does not start printing and after that, it will still have to be thrown away.

Other printer malfunctions

Of course, normal breakdowns can occur. Because of them, the printer also leaves black stripes on paper, or white, or color. This device is mechanical, where there are many moving parts, engines and loops. All this can fail. Especially often the problem arises because of loops - frequent bending can lead to the breakage of some conductor. Sometimes the user himself can break, for example, the connector into which the cartridge is inserted. This is due to haste, inattention, or frequent replacement. In this connector there are many contacts that are pressed to the contacts of the cartridge. Sometimes they just get dirty, and cleaning them helps to restore the operation of the device. But usually, if the cartridges are all right, and printing is still not the same, it is better to contact the service center.

Laser printer prints stripes

Although laser models are much more perfect and reliable jet, but they are not perfect. The bands are also when printing on a laser printer, although the reasons may be somewhat different, due to structural differences. Usually they are associated with malfunctions of the cartridge and photodrum. Some can be handled on your own, and some require replacement parts.

Possible reasons why a laser printer prints

When the paint runs out - toner, whole wide white areas appear on the sheet. They are getting wider until printing stops at all. Refilling toner solves this problem, the cause of which is easily identified. But why does the printer print on the side with a black stripe? This is often found, moreover, this band is on both sides, and looks like black fields. The point is in the wear of the photodrum. This is an aluminum shaft, covered with a thin photosensitive layer. This layer at the edges begins to thin out earlier, and black stripes are printed at the edges of the sheet. Over time, these bands will become wider. This can be solved only by replacing the photodrum. Horizontal stripes when printed on a laser printer appear due to poor contact of the drum and the magnetic shaft. In turn, the reasons for this are as follows:

  • Overflowed waste bin.
  • Cartridge refilled incorrectly.
  • Toner wakes up too plentifully.
  • Worn drum or shaft.

Independently here you can only refill the toner. The rest requires replacement parts.

What to do if the printer prints stripes

Stripes for printing - an inevitable problem when printing on any printer. They will inevitably appear with its aging. Especially relevant wear for laser models, although they are quite durable. For inkjet problems with cartridges are more characteristic, but they are simply replaced, as they are consumables. Mechanical damage for them are more rare. Therefore, as a user, it is usually enough to monitor the consumption of ink or toner, and refill them in time, and change the cartridges when worn. Note that when a thick black line appears at the edges when printing on a laser printer, it's time to think about replacing the photoconductor unit. This is the most expensive part, but it has to be replaced infrequently, as its resource is quite large.