HP LaserJet 5200 Printer series - Manual (Page 137)

Troubleshooting print-quality problems
This section helps you define print-quality problems and what to do to correct them. Often print- quality
problems can be handled easily by making sure that the printer is correctly maintained, using print media
that meets HP specifications, or running a cleaning page.
Print-quality problems associated with media
Some print-quality problems arise from the use of inappropriate media.
● Use media that meets HP specifications. See Paper specifications on page 160 .
● The surface of the media is too smooth. Use media that meets HP specifications. See Paper
specifications on page 160 .
● The moisture content is uneven, too high, or too low. Use media from a different source or from an
unopened ream.
● Some areas of the media reject toner. Use media from a different source or from an unopened
ream.
● The letterhead you are using is printed on rough media. Use a smoother, xerographic media. If this
solves your problem, ask the supplier of your letterhead to use media that meets the specifications
for this printer. See
Paper specifications on page 160 .
● The media is excessively rough. Use a smoother, xerographic media.
● The driver setting is incorrect. To change the media type setting, see Type and Size on page 48 .
● The media that you are using is too heavy for the media type setting that you selected, and the
toner is not fusing to the media.
Print-quality problems associated with the environment
If the printer is operating in excessively humid or dry conditions, verify that the printing environment is
within specifications. See the printer getting started guide for operating-environment specifications.
Print-quality problems associated with jams
Make sure that all sheets are cleared from the paper path. See Jam recovery on page 118 .
● If the printer recently jammed, print two to three pages to clean the printer.
● If the sheets do not pass through the fuser and cause image defects on subsequent documents,
print three pages to clean the printer. If the problem persists, print and process a cleaning page.
See
Cleaning the printer on page 91 .
Image defect examples
Use the examples in this image-defect table to determine which print-quality problem you are
experiencing, and then see the corresponding reference pages to troubleshoot. These examples identify
the most common print-quality problems. If you still have problems after trying the suggested remedies,
contact HP Customer Support. (See
Customer support on page 154 .)
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