HP Color LaserJet 2840 User Manual

Identifying and correcting print defects
Use the checklist and print-quality issues charts in this section to solve print-quality problems.
Print-quality checklist
General print-quality problems can be solved by using the following checklist:
1. Make sure that the paper or print media that you are using meets specifications. See
Media specifications. Generally, smoother paper provides better results.
2. If you are using a special print media such as labels, transparencies, glossy, or
letterhead, ensure...

ProblemCauseSolution
Print is light or faded.The media might not meet
HP specifications.Use media that meets
HP specifications. See 
Media
specifications.
One or more print cartridges
might be low. If you are using
non-HP print cartridges, no
messages appear on the
device control panel or in the
HP Toolbox.Replace any low print
cartridges. See 
Changing a
print cartridge.
If none of the print cartridges or
the imaging drum is low or
empty, remove the print
cartridges one at a time and
inspect the toner...

ProblemCauseSolution
Dropouts appear.A single sheet of print media
might be defective.Try reprinting the job.
The moisture content of the
paper is uneven or the paper
has moist spots on its surface.Try different paper, such as
high-quality paper that is
intended for color laser
printers. See 
Media
specifications.
The paper lot is flawed. The
manufacturing processes can
cause some areas to reject
toner.Try different paper, such as
high-quality paper that is
intended for color laser
printers. See 
Media...

ProblemCauseSolution
Toner smears appear on the
media.The media might not meet
HP specifications.Use media that meets
HP specifications. See 
Media
specifications.
If toner smears appear on the
leading edge of the paper, the
media guides are dirty, or
debris has accumulated in the
print path.Clean the media guides and
the paper path. See 
Cleaning
the paper path.
The imaging drum might be low.Replace the imaging drum. See
Changing the imaging drum.
Media might be jammed in the
imaging drum.Complete the...

ProblemCauseSolution
The toner smears easily when
touched.The device is not set to print on
the type of media on which you
want to print.In the printer driver, select the
Paper tab and set Type is to
match the type of media on
which you are printing. Print
speed might be slower if you
are using heavy paper.
The media might not meet
HP specifications.Use media that meets
HP specifications. See 
Media
specifications.
The paper path might need
cleaning.Clean the device. See Cleaning
the device.
Marks...

ProblemCauseSolution
The printed page contains
misformed characters.The media might not meet
HP specifications.Use a different paper, such as
high-quality paper that is
intended for color laser
printers. See 
Media
specifications.
If characters are incorrectly
formed so that they produce a
wavy effect, the laser scanner
might need service.Verify that the problem also
occurs on the Configuration
page. If so, contact
HP Customer Care. See
Service and support or the
support flyer that came in the
device...

ProblemCauseSolution
The printed page contains
wrinkles or creases.The media might be loaded
incorrectly.Turn over the stack of paper in
the input tray, or try rotating the
paper 180° in the input tray.
Verify that the media is loaded
correctly and that the media
guides are not too tight or too
loose against the stack. See
Loading trays.
The media might not meet
HP specifications.Use a different paper, such as
high-quality paper that is
intended for color laser
printers. See 
Media
specifications.
The...

ProblemCauseSolution
Only black is printing when the
document should be printing in
color.Color mode is not selected in
your program or printer driver.Select color mode instead of
grayscale mode.
The correct printer driver might
not be selected in the program.Select the correct printer driver.
The device might not be
correctly configured.Print a Configuration page. If
no color appears on the
Configuration page, contact
HP Customer Care. See
Service and support or the
support flyer that came in the
device...

ProblemCauseSolution
The colors on the printed page
do not match the colors as they
appear on the screen.The colors on your computer
monitor might differ from the
device output.Select Screen Match in the
Color tab of the printer driver.
The printer driver might affect
color printing.Try printing from a different
program or one of the other
printer drivers. For example, if
you are using the PCL 6 printer
driver, try the PS printer driver.
If extremely light colors or
extremely dark colors on
screen are...

●Do not use raised or embossed letterhead.
●The device uses heat and pressure to fuse toner to the paper. Make sure that any
colored paper or preprinted forms use inks that are compatible with this fusing
temperature (210°C or 410°F for 0.2 second).
CAUTION
Failure to follow these guidelines could cause jams or damage to the device.
Solving print-media problems
The following problems with paper cause print quality deviations, jamming, or even damage
to the device.
ProblemCauseSolution
Poor print quality...