Printer Help

[roborobs computer repair]

I have a customer who's printer is printing the pages but is leaving streaks across but only where the black in would be going. What is weird the ink is printing on the rest of the page but leaving streaks evenly spaced all the way down the page. I have attached an example of what it is doing. I simply scanned this in after printing it on the printer. sorry its a zip too big to be PDF.

 

[Martyn]

There are lots of things to try.

Firstly is it all prints? Is it all users? Is it different file types or all file types? Have you tried another driver i.e. ps or pcl etc? From a server or locally only?

Try printing to file and viewing the print file(before the printer)

 

[roborobs computer repair]

Sorry didn't think to put this information.

It is doing it on all prints.
All users. Printer Jammed and since getting the jam completely out and re aligning it has done this. it did not do it prior to the jam.

Printer is Epson Stylus CX8400

 

[Martyn]

Well it sounds like the printer itself. Print an information sheet from the printer itself and it rules out external influences.

 

[Encrypted Existence]

If you print a test page from the printer (not a computer) and the problem persists then the issue is with the printer itself. It sounds like you may have a damaged fuser...but I am no printer jockey.

EDIT: I apologize for not paying attention. Discard my comment regarding the fuser as it will not have one.

 

[roborobs computer repair]

ok when I print a test page from the printer it is doing the same thing so it is the printer but how can I fix it?

 

[johnrobert]

Since its an inkjet go to maintenance and do a print head clean a few times
I wouldn't spent to much time on a $50 printer

 

[altrenda]

It looks like there is a small bit of paper stuck in there, blocking the ink. probably left over from the paper jam.
Blow it out, search around the paper path for it.

 

[mraikes]

The consistent pattern indicates a mechanical issue.

Does it sound completely normal when printing? Slide the printhead back & forth with your fingers - checking for smooth movement.


As mentioned, you don't want to spend much time on this printer. It would be cheaper for your customer and easier for you, to just buy a new one.

 

[roborobs computer repair]

it sounds completely normal. what would be the easiest way to check for something being in the way of the print head? Also what is the easiest way to remove it?

 

['putertutor]

Not entirely familiar with this printer, but it the precise regularity of the issue leads me towards bad print heads. Have you tried new ink cartridges or print heads (not all ink jets have separate heads)? That'd be the first thing I'd do. The second thing I'd do is suggest a new printer. Most ink jets seem designed to be throw-aways when it comes to repairs.

 

[altrenda]

Compare where the streaks on the printed page are to where it would be in the printer. Trace back until you find it. Blow it out or pick it out with tweezers. It may be soaked with ink. Look under the roller where the printhead slides over the paper.
This should be a 5 minute fix. I'd prefer my clients give me the money to fix it instead of spending it on a new printer.

 

[mraikes]

Compare where the streaks on the printed page are to where it would be in the printer. Trace back until you find it. Blow it out or pick it out with tweezers. It may be soaked with ink. Look under the roller where the printhead slides over the paper.
This should be a 5 minute fix. I'd prefer my clients give me the money to fix it instead of spending it on a new printer.

Unless there are 15 bits of paper equally sized & spaced across the paper path and smart enough to block ONLY the black ink, this is not likely.

By looking at the picture the OP posted, it appears to me something might be causing causing the head to skip in a precise pattern (like a missing tooth in a gear), or otherwise causing the black ink to regularly misfire.

If it were bits of paper or whatever, all colors would be blocked or smeared at the point of blockage, not just black.

 

[andcorptech]

If it were bits of paper or whatever, all colors would be blocked or smeared at the point of blockage, not just black.

Not necessarily. While i havent seen the picture as it wouldnt load on my phone, epson printers have a seperate row of heads for black. If you try to clear a jam and the paper is soaked with ink, it is possible to clog heads with some "pulp" as you drag paper out. Many years ago we used to remove the heads and clean ultrasonically but its just not worth it nowdays

 

[altrenda]

Not necessarily. While i havent seen the picture as it wouldnt load on my phone, epson printers have a seperate row of heads for black. If you try to clear a jam and the paper is soaked with ink, it is possible to clog heads with some "pulp" as you drag paper out. Many years ago we used to remove the heads and clean ultrasonically but its just not worth it nowdays

I had the same problem viewing on my phone, but after looking at the printout, it does not appear to be stuck debris.

 

[Jsch38]

If the area were the print heads can be opened via an access panel. I also suggest blowing out the area. Pay specal attention to the area you found the stuck paper in. Then use a nice bright flashlight to look for any remaining bits of paper in way of the ink cartiages. Also wipe down the part the print heads travel on with rubbing acholol to clean. Also clean the ink cartiages ends very gently with rubbing achol on a quetip and then gently blot dry with a clean cotton cloth. Then run the printer diagonistic program and do a head alignment check and then run another test page.