HP 400 - Manual (Page 92)

Problem Resolution 5-29
Printouts contain
inconsistent color fill
patterns with horizontal
bands or thin lines
running completely
across the sheet If bands or thin lines run all the way across the printout, the inconsistent color fill pattern can
result from either of two problems: waitbanding or overlapping lines. These problems require
different solutions.
• If you see horizontal
bands of color, the printer may be experiencing waitbanding (“color
banding”). See “Inconsistent Color Fill Patterns” at the end of this chapter for solutions. One
approach is to print the document to a file; then you can print the file as a binary file from
DOS (copy filename LPT1:/b).
• If you see thin horizontal lines of color, the problem is likely to be overlapping lines.
– Try printing the sheet again using manual feed.
– If you are printing from a Windows application, select the “Best” setting under Print
Quality in the Printer Setup dialog box.
Printed colors do not
match screen color If you are using Windows, try the following:
1. Verify that the “Match Screen” option is selected under Color Control in the Options dialog
box of the Printer Setup menu.
2. The print cartridge may be running out of one color of ink.
3. Try a different dithering method.
In DOS applications, a solution is dependent on the printer driver for that DOS software
package. Refer to the software documentation or contact the software vendor for possible
solutions.
Color smudges on
transparencies If you are using Windows:
1. In the Printer Setup dialog box, make sure that you have selected “Transparency Film” or
“Transparency Film (Extra Dry Time)” in the “Media Type” field.
• If you have selected “Transparency Film,” the printer will add several extra minutes of
drying time before dropping another sheet on top of the transparency that was last
printed. The Busy light flashes during the drying interval.
• If you have selected “Transparency Film (Extra Dry Time),” the printer will print each
transparency and stop before printing the next. You will see the message, “Remove
Printed Page.” Remove the transparency and click the OK button in the dialog box.
Place the removed transparency in a drying area, out of the sun.
2. Make sure that you load the transparency into the paper tray or directly into the paper feed
slot with the rough side of the transparency up.
3. Wait several minutes before placing transparencies in sleeves or avoid placing
transparencies in sleeves.
Color smudges on
glossy paper If you are using Windows:
1. In the Printer Setup dialog box, make sure that you have selected “Glossy Paper” or
“Glossy Paper (Extra Dry Time)” in the “Media Type” field.
• If you have selected “Glossy Paper,” the printer will add several extra minutes of drying
time before dropping another sheet on top of the sheet that was last printed.
• If you have selected “Glossy Paper (Extra Dry Time),” the printer will print each sheet
and stop before printing the next. You will see the message, “Remove Printed Page.”
Remove the sheet and click the OK button in the dialog box. Place the removed sheet in
a drying area, out of the sun.
2. Make sure that you load the sheet into the paper tray or directly into the paper feed slot with
the glossy side up.
3. Be sure to give the ink several minutes to dry.
Table 5-12. Solving Color Print Quality Problems (Continued)
Color Print Quality Issue Possible Cause