Image defect examples

Image defect examples

These examples identify the most common print-quality problems. If you still have problems after trying the suggested solutions, contact HP Customer Support.


Image defect examples
Problem
Image example
Solution
Light print (partial page)

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 vfade Image defect examples

1.
Make sure that the print cartridge is fully installed.
2.
The toner level in the print cartridge might be low. Replace the print cartridge.
3.
The paper might not meet HP specifications (for example, the paper is too moist or too rough). See Paper and print media.
Light print (entire page)

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 econ Image defect examples

1.
Make sure that the print cartridge is fully installed.
2.
Make sure that the ECONOMODE setting is turned off at the control panel and in the printer driver.
3.
Open the CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at the product control panel. Open the PRINT QUALITY submenu and increase the TONER DENSITY setting. See Print Quality submenu.
4.
Try using a different type of paper.
5.
The print cartridge might be almost empty. Replace the print cartridge.
Specks

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 specb Image defect examples

Specks might appear on a page after a jam has been cleared.
1.
Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2.
Clean the inside of the product and run a cleaning page to clean the fuser. (See Clean the paper path.)
3.
Try using a different type of paper.
4.
Check the print cartridge for leaks. If the print cartridge is leaking, replace it.
Dropouts

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 hole Image defect examples

1.
Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met. (See Operating environment.)
2.
If the paper is rough, and the toner easily rubs off, open the CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at the product control panel. Open the PRINT QUALITY submenu, select FUSER MODES, and then select the paper type you are using. Change the setting to HIGH1 or HIGH2, which helps the toner fuse more completely onto the paper. (See Print Quality submenu.)
3.
Try using a smoother paper.
Lines

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 vlines Image defect examples

1.
Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2.
Clean the inside of the product and run a cleaning page to clean the fuser. (See Clean the product.)
3.
Replace the print cartridge.
Gray background

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 gray Image defect examples

1.
Do not use paper that has already been run through the product.
2.
Try using a different type of paper.
3.
Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
4.
Turn over the paper in the tray. Also, try rotating the paper 180°.
5.
Open the CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at the product control panel. On the PRINT QUALITY submenu, increase the TONER DENSITY setting. See Print Quality submenu.
6.
Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met. (See Operating environment.)
7.
Replace the print cartridge.
Toner smear

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 smear Image defect examples

1.
Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2.
Try using a different type of paper.
3.
Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met. (See Operating environment.)
4.
Clean the inside of the product and run a cleaning page to clean the fuser. (See Clean the product.)
5.
Replace the print cartridge.
Loose toner

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 loose Image defect examples

Loose toner, in this context, is defined as toner that can be rubbed off the page.
1.
If paper is heavy or rough, open the CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at the product control panel. On the PRINT QUALITY submenu, select FUSER MODES, and then select the paper type you are using. Change the setting to HIGH1 or HIGH2, which helps the toner fuse more completely onto the paper. (See Print Quality submenu.) You must also set the type of paper for the tray you are using. (See Select the paper by source, type, or size.)
2.
If you have observed a rougher texture on one side of your paper, try printing on the smoother side.
3.
Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met. (See Operating environment.)
4.
Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet HP specifications. (See Paper and print media.)
Repeat defects

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 reps Image defect examples

1.
Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2.
Clean the inside of the product and run a cleaning page to clean the fuser. (See Clean the product.)
3.
The print cartridge might need to be replaced.
Repeat image

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 repim Image defect examples

This type of defect might occur when using preprinted forms or a large quantity of narrow paper.
1.
Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2.
Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet HP specifications. (See Paper and print media.)
3.
The print cartridge might need to be replaced.
Misformed characters

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 misf Image defect examples

1.
Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2.
Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met. (See Operating environment.)
Page skew

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 skew Image defect examples

1.
Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2.
Verify that no torn pieces of paper are inside the product.
3.
Make sure that paper is loaded correctly and that all adjustments have been made. (See Load trays.) Make sure that the guides in the tray are not too tight or too loose against the paper.
4.
Turn over the paper in the tray. Also, try rotating the paper 180°.
5.
Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet HP specifications. (See Paper and print media.)
6.
Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met. (See Operating environment.)
Curl or wave

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 curl Image defect examples

1.
Turn over the paper in the tray. Also, try rotating the paper 180°.
2.
Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet HP specifications. (See Paper and print media.)
3.
Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met. (See Operating environment.)
4.
Try printing to a different output bin.
5.
If paper is lightweight and smooth, open the CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at the product control panel. On the PRINT QUALITY submenu, select FUSER MODES, and then select the paper type you are using. Change the setting to LOW, which helps reduce the heat in the fusing process. (See Print Quality submenu.) You must also set the type of paper for the tray you are using. (See Select the paper by source, type, or size.)
Wrinkles or creases

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 crease Image defect examples

1.
Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2.
Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met. (See Operating environment.)
3.
Turn over the paper in the tray. Also, try rotating the paper 180°.
4.
Make sure that paper is loaded correctly and all adjustments have been made. (See Load trays.)
5.
Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet HP specifications. (See Paper and print media.)
6.
If envelopes are creasing, try storing envelopes so that they lie flat.
7.
If paper is lightweight and smooth, open the CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at the product control panel. On the PRINT QUALITY submenu, select FUSER MODES, and then select the paper type you are using. Change the setting to LOW, which helps reduce the heat in the fusing process. (See Print Quality submenu.) You must also set the type of paper for the tray you are using. (See Select the paper by source, type, or size.)
Vertical white lines

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 black Image defect examples

1.
Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2.
Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet HP specifications. (See Paper and print media.)
3.
Replace the print cartridge.
Tire tracks

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 trac Image defect examples

This defect typically occurs when the print cartridge has far exceeded its rated life. For example, if you are printing a very large quantity of pages with very little toner coverage.
1.
Replace the print cartridge.
2.
Reduce the number of pages that you print with very low toner coverage.
White spots on black

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 rain Image defect examples

1.
Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2.
Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet HP specifications. (See Paper and print media.)
3.
Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met. (See Operating environment.)
4.
Replace the print cartridge.
Scattered lines

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 tonerexplosion Image defect examples

1.
Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet HP specifications. (See Paper and print media.)
2.
Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met. (See Operating environment.)
3.
Turn over the paper in the tray. Also, try rotating the paper 180°.
4.
Open the CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at the product control panel. Open the PRINT QUALITY submenu and change the TONER DENSITY setting. (See Print Quality submenu.)
5.
Open the CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at the product control panel. On the PRINT QUALITY submenu, open OPTIMIZE and set LINE DETAIL=ON.
Blurred print

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 halo Image defect examples

1.
Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet HP specifications. (See Paper and print media.)
2.
Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met. (See Operating environment.)
3.
Turn over the paper in the tray. Also, try rotating the paper 180°.
4.
Do not use paper that already has been run through the product.
5.
Decrease the toner density. Open the CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at the product control panel. Open the PRINT QUALITY submenu and change the TONER DENSITY setting. (See Print Quality submenu.)
6.
Open the CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at the product control panel. On the PRINT QUALITY submenu, open OPTIMIZE and set HIGH TRANSFER=ON. (See Print Quality submenu.)
Random image repetition

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 ghost1 Image defect examples

HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 4 ghost2 Image defect examples

If an image that appears at the top of the page (in solid black) repeats further down the page (in a gray field), the toner might not have been completely erased from the last job. (The repeated image might be lighter or darker than the field it appears in.)
●
Change the tone (darkness) of the field that the repeated image appears in.
●
Change the order in which the images are printed. For example, have the lighter image at the top of the page, and the darker image farther down the page.
●
From your software program, rotate the whole page 180° to print the lighter image first.
●
If the defect occurs later in a print job, turn the product off for 10 minutes, and then turn it on to restart the print job.
HP Laserjet P4010 P4510 Image defect examples