Brother HL 8050N User Manual

							5 - 5   TROUBLESHOOTING
Cannot Print from a Macintosh® Computer
Symptom Possible Cause Action
The printer does not 
appear in the 
Chooser windowIs the printer off? Press the I on the power switch to turn the 
printer on. 
See Turning the Printer On and Off on page 
1-5.
Is the USB or Ethernet interface cable loose 
or disconnected?Turn the printer off and check the interface 
cable. If necessary, reconnect it, then turn 
the printer back on.
Is the network expansion card loose or 
disconnected?Turn the printer off and reinstall the network 
expansion card into the printer, then turn 
the printer back on.
Are the zone and printer names correctly 
specified?The zone or printer names might be 
incorrect. Ask your system administrator for 
the correct settings. 
Use the printer configuration list to confirm 
the current printer settings. 
An error message 
appears on the 
computer screenAre you using the appropriate Mac OS
®?  Print from a computer with an operating 
system compatible with the printer. This 
printer supports Mac OS
® 8.6 to Mac OS® 
X.
A print error has occurred. Check the message and rectify the error 
accordingly.
 
						

							TROUBLESHOOTING   5 - 6
Print Quality Problems
Blank or Completely Black Pages are Output
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Nothing is printed The seal of the toner cartridge is not pulled 
out.Pull out the seal.
See Replacing the Toner Cartridge 
(TN-1700) on page 6-1.
Two or more sheets may be feeding at 
once.Remove the paper stack from the tray, fan 
it, and put it back in the tray.
The toner cartridge is old or damaged. Replace the toner cartridge. 
See Replacing the Toner Cartridge 
(TN-1700) on page 6-1.
The toner cartridge is not correctly set. Reset the toner cartridge correctly.
See Replacing the Toner Cartridge 
(TN-1700) on page 6-1.
The power supply is defective. Contact your dealer or Brother Customer 
Service.
Output sheets are 
completely blackThe toner cartridge is old or damaged. Replace the toner cartridge.
See Replacing the Toner Cartridge 
(TN-1700) on page 6-1.
The power supply is defective. Contact your dealer or Brother Customer 
Service.
 
						

							5 - 7   TROUBLESHOOTING
Faded or Dirty Printouts, White Areas (drop-outs), Creases, Blurs
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Faded printouts Is the media suitable? Replace the media with a recommended 
size and type, and confirm that your printer 
driver settings are correct. 
See Suitable and Unsuitable Paper Types 
on page 2-1.
Is the paper damp? Replace the paper. 
See Loading Paper and Printing on page 
2-9.
The toner cartridge is old or damaged. Replace the toner cartridge.
See Replacing the Toner Cartridge 
(TN-1700) on page 6-1.
Is the printer driver Toner Save Mode 
active?In the printer driver, deactivate the Toner 
Save Mode in the Print Quality setting of 
Advanced tab (Windows
®), or the General 
dialog box (Macintosh®).
The power supply is defective. Contact your dealer or Brother Customer 
Service.
Dirty spots are 
printedIs the media suitable? Are you using 
preprinted or inkjet paper?Replace the media with a recommended 
size and type, and confirm that your printer 
driver settings are correct. 
See Suitable and Unsuitable Paper Types 
on page 2-1.
The toner cartridge is old or damaged. Replace the toner cartridge. 
See Replacing the Toner Cartridge 
(TN-1700) on page 6-1.
Vertical black lines The toner cartridge, fuser unit or transfer 
roll cartridge is old or damaged.Check the toner cartridge, fuser unit and 
transfer roll cartridge and replace them as 
necessary.
See Replacing the Toner Cartridge 
(TN-1700) on page 6-1.
See Replacing the Fuser Unit & Transfer 
Roll Cartridge (FP-8000) on page 6-5.
Recurring smudges Dirt in the paper path. Print several blank sheets.
The toner cartridge, fuser unit or transfer 
roll cartridge is old or damaged.Check the toner cartridge, fuser unit and 
transfer roll cartridge and replace them as 
necessary.
See Replacing the Toner Cartridge 
(TN-1700) on page 6-1.
See Replacing the Fuser Unit & Transfer 
Roll Cartridge (FP-8000) on page 6-5.
 
						

							TROUBLESHOOTING   5 - 8
Ink smears when 
rubbed.Is the paper damp? Replace the paper.
See Loading Paper and Printing on page 
2-9.
Is the media suitable? Replace the media with a recommended 
size and type, and confirm that your printer 
driver settings are correct.
See Suitable and Unsuitable Paper Types 
on page 2-1.
Shadows appear 
around areas of 
dense black printing.Is the media suitable? Replace the media with a recommended 
size and type, and confirm that your printer 
driver settings are correct.
See Suitable and Unsuitable Paper Types 
on page 2-1.
Ghost image  Is the media suitable? Replace the media with a recommended 
size and type, and confirm that your printer 
driver settings are correct.
See Suitable and Unsuitable Paper Types 
on page 2-1.
White spots appear 
in areas of dense 
black printing.Is the media suitable? 
Is the media folded or creased?Replace the media with a recommended 
size and type, and confirm that your printer 
driver settings are correct. 
See Suitable and Unsuitable Paper Types 
on page 2-1.
The toner cartridge is old or damaged. Replace the toner cartridge. 
See Replacing the Toner Cartridge 
(TN-1700) on page 6-1.
Partial blanks Is the paper damp? Replace the paper. 
See Loading Paper and Printing on page 
2-9.
Is the media suitable? Replace the media with a recommended 
size and type, and confirm that your printer 
driver settings are correct. 
See Suitable and Unsuitable Paper Types 
on page 2-1. Symptom Possible Cause Action
 
						

							5 - 9   TROUBLESHOOTING
Vertical stripes Is the toner cartridge properly installed in 
the printer?Make sure that the toner cartridge is 
properly installed. 
See Replacing the Toner Cartridge 
(TN-1700) on page 6-1.
Dirt may be on the laser window. Clean the laser window.
The toner cartridge, transfer roll cartridge, 
or fuser unit is old or damaged.Check the toner cartridge, transfer roll 
cartridge and fuser unit and replace them 
as necessary. 
See Replacing the Toner Cartridge 
(TN-1700) on page 6-1.
See Replacing the Fuser Unit & Transfer 
Roll Cartridge (FP-8000) on page 6-5.
Creased paper Is the paper damp? Replace the paper. 
See Loading Paper and Printing on page 
2-9.
Is the media suitable? 
Are you using warped paper?Replace the media with a recommended 
size and type, and confirm that your printer 
driver settings are correct. 
See Suitable and Unsuitable Paper Types 
on page 2-1.
Is the paper tray properly inserted into the 
printer?Push the paper tray completely back into 
the printer.
Is there paper or a foreign object jammed in 
the printer?Turn the power off and remove the jammed 
paper or foreign object. 
If you cannot remove the obstruction, turn 
the printer off and contact your dealer or 
Brother Customer Service. Do not attempt 
to disassemble the printer.
Is the fuser unit or transfer roll cartridge 
properly installed in the printer?Make sure that the transfer roll cartridge 
and fuser unit are properly installed. 
See Replacing the Fuser Unit & Transfer 
Roll Cartridge (FP-8000) on page 6-5. Symptom Possible Cause Action
 
						

							TROUBLESHOOTING   5 - 10
Unsatisfactory Printing
Slanted printing, 
Incorrectly positioned 
printingAre the paper guides in the paper tray set 
correctly?In the paper tray, set the side and end 
guides to their correct positions. 
See Load A4/Letter Paper in the Paper Tray 
on page 2-9.
See Load Envelopes in the Paper Tray on 
page 2-15.
Text is blurred. Is the paper damp? Replace the paper.
See Loading Paper and Printing on page 
2-9.
Is the media suitable? Replace the media with a recommended 
size and type, and confirm that your printer 
driver settings are correct.
See Suitable and Unsuitable Paper Types 
on page 2-1.
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Unsatisfactory 
transparenciesIs the transparency sheet suitable? Use transparencies suitable for use with 
this printer.
Is the printer driver configured to print 
transparencies?Make sure that the transparencies is 
selected on paper tab on the printer driver 
(in Windows
®) or Page Setup dialog box 
(with Macintosh®)
Unsatisfactory 
envelopesAre the envelopes of a suitable type? Use envelopes suitable for use with this 
printer.
See Suitable and Unsuitable Paper Types 
on page 2-1.
Is the printer driver configured to print 
envelopes?Make sure that the envelopes is selected on 
paper tab on the printer driver (in 
Windows
®) or Page Setup dialog box (with 
Macintosh®)
Unsatisfactory 
printingAre the printer driver toner save or 
low-resolution functions active?Change the printer driver settings on the 
Print Quality setting of Advanced tab. Symptom Possible Cause Action
 
						

							5 - 11   TROUBLESHOOTING
Paper Handling Problems
First, make sure that you are using paper that meets our recommended paper specifications. See 
Suitable and Unsuitable Paper Types on page 2-1.
Symptom Action
The printer does not load paper.■If paper is in the paper tray, make sure it is straight. If the paper is 
curled, you should straighten it before printing. Sometimes it is helpful 
to remove the paper, turn the stack over, and then put it back in the 
paper tray.
■Reduce the amount of paper in the paper tray, and then try again.
■Make sure that manual feed mode is not set in the printer driver.
■Fan the paper well and put it back in firmly.
■Wipe the rubber parts of the feed roller with a damp, soft cloth. (See 
Cleaning the Feeder Roller on page 6-17.) If this does not correct the 
problem, the feed roller needs to be replaced. Please call your dealer 
or Brother Customer Service for a replacement.
There is a paper jam.■Clear the jammed paper (see Clearing Paper Jams on page 5-17).
■Wipe the rubber parts of the feed roller with a damp, soft cloth. (See 
Cleaning the Feeder Roller on page 6-17.) If this does not correct the 
problem, the feed roller needs to be replaced. Please call your dealer 
or Brother Customer Service for a replacement.
The printed pages are curled, so 
the face-down output tray cannot 
hold the maximum number of 
sheets.■Turn over the paper in the paper tray.
■Change the printer driver setting in Media Type to a thicker setting.
The printer does not print. ■Make sure that the cable is connected to the printer.
■Make sure that you have chosen the appropriate printer driver.
When printing on normal paper, it 
creases.■Change the printer driver setting in Media to the Thin paper setting.
 
						

							TROUBLESHOOTING   5 - 12
Solving Print Problems
Symptom Action
The printer prints 
unexpectedly or it prints 
garbage data.■Make sure the printer cable is not too long. We recommend that you use a 
parallel cable that is less than 2 metres (6 feet) long.
■Make sure that the printer cable is not damaged or broken.
■If you are using an interface-switching device, remove it. Connect your 
computer directly to your printer, and then try again.
■Check that you have chosen the appropriate printer driver with Set as 
default.
■Make sure that the printer is not connected to the same port that is also 
connected to a storage device or scanner. Take away all other devices and 
connect the port only to the printer.
■Turn off Printer Status reporting in the Device Options tab in the printer 
driver.
The printer cannot print full 
pages of a document.■Press the Go button to print the data that is left in the printer.
■If the Go button does not clear the error, reduce the complexity of your 
document or reduce the print resolution.
■Change the following settings in the supplied Windows
® driver, and then try 
again. The best combination of the settings below will vary depending on 
your document.
■Graphics mode
■TrueType
TM mode
■Use printer TrueType
TM fonts
The printer cannot print full 
pages of a document. An error 
message MEMORY FULL 
appears.■Press the Go button to print the data that is left in the printer.
■Reduce the print resolution or reduce the complexity of your document.
■Expand the printer memory by adding a DIMM. See Memory expansion on 
page 2-26.
The headers or footers appear 
when I view my document on 
the screen but they do not 
show up when I print it.■Most laser printers have a restricted area that cannot be printed on. This 
unprintable area is usually the first two lines and the last two lines of a page 
(leaving 62 printable lines). Adjust the top and bottom margins of your 
document to allow for this.
 
						

							5 - 13   TROUBLESHOOTING
Others Problems
Network Problems
Symptom Action
The printer cannot print at all. 
Your PC shows the following 
error message:
There was an error writing to 
LPT1: (or BRUSB) for the 
printer.■Check that the printer cable is not damaged or broken. 
■If you are using an interface-switching device, remove it. Connect your 
computer directly to your printer, and then try again.
Check that you have chosen the appropriate printer driver and ‘Set as 
default’.
Symptom Possible Cause Action
The IP address 
changes when 
turning on the printerIs the printer set to acquire an IP address 
through a DHCP server?Set the IP address acquisition method to 
Panel. See Quick Setup Guide.
Cannot use a web 
browser to manage 
the printer.Is the printer off? Press the I on the power switch to turn the 
printer on. 
See Turn the Printer On on page 1-5.
Is the Ethernet cable loose or 
disconnected?Turn the printer off and check the Ethernet 
cable. If necessary, reconnect, then turn the 
printer back on.
Is the printers Internet address correct? Confirm that the printer Internet address is 
correct. If the problem persists, use an IP 
address to connect to the printer instead.
Is the printers IP address correct? The IP address might be set incorrectly. 
Ask your system administrator for the 
correct settings. 
Use the printer configuration list to confirm 
the current IP address.
Are you using a proxy server? Certain proxy servers block access to the 
printer. 
Configure your Web browser so that it does 
not use the proxy server or set the address 
you want to access so that it does not go 
through the proxy server.
Is  the  port  number  correct? The default port number is 80. Specify the 
correct port number.
 
						

							TROUBLESHOOTING   5 - 14
DOS Problems
BR-Script 3 Problems
Symptom Action
Cannot print from application 
software■Check that the DOS application software interface settings match those of 
your printer. For example, if you are using a parallel printer cable, you would 
most likely set your DOS software printer port to LPT1.
■Check if the printer has any printer alarms.
■Check that you have chosen the appropriate printer in your application 
software.
Symptom Action
The printer cannot print. If IGNORE DATA appears on the LCD, please do the following:
1. Reset the printer. [Press the - button twice, then press the Set button twice 
and finally press the Go button.]
2. Turn off ERROR PRINT in BR-SCRIPT3 mode. Press the + button five 
times, then press the Set
 button and then the - button, now press the Set button 
twice, select ERROR PRINT=OFF and press the Set button and finally press the 
Go button.]
3. If the printer prints out the error message page which says ERROR NAME; 
limitcheck, add more memory. See Installing the DIMM Memory on page A-6.
The print speed slows down. Add optional memory. See Installing the DIMM Memory on page A-6.
The printer cannot print EPS 
data.You need the following settings to print EPS data:
1. In the Printer folder, select the printer you use.
2. Press the Advanced button on the PostScript tab.
3. Select Tagged binary communication protocol in data format.