HP LaserJet 1018 User Manual

							
Page format is different than on another printer
If you used an older or different printer driver (printer software) to create the document or the
printer properties settings in the software are different, the page format might\
 change when
you try to print using your new printer driver or settings. To help eliminate this problem, try
the following:
● Create documents and print them using the same printer driver (printer \
software) and
printer properties settings regardless of which HP  LaserJet printer you use to print them.
● Change the resolution, paper size, font settings, and other settings. See 
Printer
properties (driver)  for more information.
Graphics quality
The graphics settings might be unsuitable for your print job. Check the graphic settings, such
as resolution, in the printer properties and adjust them as necessary. See 
Printer properties
(driver) for more information.
NOTE
Some resolution might be lost when converting from one graphics format to another.
Return to 
Finding the solution .
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Printer software problems
Printer software problems
ProblemSolution
A printer driver for the HP LaserJet 1018 printer
is not visible in the Printer folder.●Restart the computer.
● Reinstall the printer software. In the
Windows task bar, click  Start, select
Programs , select HP, select
HP LaserJet 1018 series , and click
Uninstall HP LaserJet 1018 series . Turn
the printer off. Install the printer software
from the CD. Turn the printer back on.
NOTE
Close any applications that are running. To close
an application that has an icon in the system
tray, right-click the icon, and select  Close or
Disable .
●Try plugging the USB cable into a different
USB port on the computer.
● If you are trying to print to a shared printer,
in the Windows task bar, click  Start, select
Settings , and select  Printers. Double-click
the Add Printer icon. Follow the instructions
in the Add Printer Wizard.
An error message was displayed during the
software installation.● Restart the computer.
● Reinstall the printer software. In the
Windows task bar, click  Start, select
Programs , select HP, select
HP LaserJet 1018 series , and click
Uninstall HP LaserJet 1018 series . Turn
the printer off. Install the printer software
from the CD. Turn the printer back on.
NOTE
Close any applications that are running. To close
an application that has an icon in the task bar,
right-click the icon, and select  Close or Disable .
●Check the amount of free space on the drive
where you are installing the printer software.
If necessary, free up as much space as you
can, and reinstall the printer software.
● If necessary, run the Disk Defragmenter,
and reinstall the printer software.
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ProblemSolution
The printer is in Ready mode, but nothing prints.●Restart the computer.
● Verify that all of the cables are properly
seated and within specifications. This
includes the USB and power cables. Try a
new cable.
● Reinstall the printer software. In the
Windows task bar, click  Start, select
Programs , select HP, select
HP LaserJet 1018 series , and click
Uninstall HP LaserJet 1018 series . Turn
the printer off. Install the printer software
from the CD. Turn the printer back on.
NOTE
Close any applications that are running. To close
an application that has an icon in the task bar,
right-click the icon, and select  Close or Disable .
Return to Finding the solution.
Printer software problems (continued)
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Improving print quality
This section provides information about identifying and correcting print defects.
Light or faded print 
●The toner supply is low. See Redistributing
toner  for more information.
● The media might not meet HPs media
specifications (for example, the media is too
moist or too rough). See 
Printer media
considerations  for more information.
● If the whole page is light, the print density
adjustment is too light or EconoMode might
be turned on. Adjust the print density, and
disable EconoMode in the printer properties.
See 
Saving toner  for more information.
Toner specks
●The media might not meet HPs media
specifications (for example, the media is too
moist or too rough). See 
Printer media
considerations  for more information.
● The printer might need to be cleaned. See
Cleaning the printer  or Cleaning the printer
media path for instructions.
Dropouts
● A single sheet of media might be defective.
Try reprinting the job.
● The medias moisture content is uneven or
the media has moist spots on its surface.
Try printing with new media. See 
Printer
media considerations  for more information.
● The media lot is bad. The manufacturing
processes can cause some areas to reject
toner. Try a different type or brand of media.
● The print cartridge might be defective. See
Changing the print cartridge  for more
information.
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NOTEIf these steps do not correct the problem, contact an HP-authorized dealer or service
representative.
Vertical lines
● The photosensitive drum inside the print
cartridge has probably been scratched.
Install a new HP print cartridge. See
Changing the print cartridge  for instructions.
Gray background
●Decrease the print density setting through
printer properties. This decreases the
amount of background shading. See 
Printer
properties (driver) .
● Change the media to a lighter basis weight.
See 
Printer media considerations  for more
information.
● Check the printers environment. Very dry
(low humidity) conditions can increase the
amount of background shading.
● Install a new HP print cartridge. See
Changing the print cartridge  for instructions.
Toner smear
●If toner smears appear on the leading edge
of the media, the media guides might be
dirty. Wipe the media guides with a dry, lint-
free cloth. See 
Cleaning the printer  for more
information.
● Check the media type and quality.
● Install a new HP print cartridge. See
Changing the print cartridge  for instructions.
● The fuser temperature might be too low. In
your printer driver, make sure that the
appropriate media type is selected.
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Loose toner
●Clean the inside of the printer. See Cleaning
the printer  for instructions.
● Check the media type and quality. See
Printer media considerations  for more
information.
● Install a new HP print cartridge. See
Changing the print cartridge  for instructions.
● In your printer driver, make sure that the
appropriate media type is selected.
● Plug the printer directly into an AC outlet
instead of into a power strip.
Vertical repetitive defects
●The print cartridge might be damaged. If a
repetitive mark occurs at the same spot on
the page, install a new HP  print cartridge.
See 
Changing the print cartridge  for
instructions.
● The internal parts might have toner on them.
See 
Cleaning the printer  for more
information. If the defects occur on the back
of the page, the problem will probably
correct itself after a few more printed pages.
● In your printer driver, make sure that the
appropriate media type is selected.
Misformed characters
●If characters are improperly formed,
producing hollow images, the media stock
might be too slick. Try a different media.
See 
Printer media considerations  for more
information.
● If characters are improperly formed,
producing a wavy effect, the printer might
need service. Print a Printer Test page. If
the characters are improperly formed,
contact an HP-authorized dealer or service
representative. See 
How to contact HP for
more information.
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Page skew
●Make sure that the media is loaded correctly
and the media guides are not too tight or too
loose against the media stack. See 
Loading
media into the input trays  for more
information.
● The input bin might be too full. See 
Loading
media into the input trays  for more
information.
● Check the media type and quality. See
Printer media considerations  for more
information.
Curl or wave
● Check the media type and quality. Both high
temperature and humidity cause media to
curl. See 
Printer media considerations  for
more information.
● The media might have been in the input tray
too long. Turn over the stack of media in the
tray. Also, try rotating the media 180° in the
input tray.
● The fuser temperature might be too high. In
your printer driver, make sure that the
appropriate media type is selected. If the
problem persists, select a media type that
uses a lower fuser temperature, such as
transparencies or light media.
Wrinkles or creases
●Make sure that media is loaded properly.
See 
Loading media into the input trays  for
more information.
● Check the media type and quality. See
Printer media considerations  for more
information.
● Turn over the stack of media in the tray.
Also, try rotating the media 180° in the input
tray.
● For envelopes, this can be caused by air
pockets inside the envelope. Remove the
envelope, flatten the envelope, and try
printing again.
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Toner scatter outline
●If large amounts of toner have scattered
around the characters, the media might be
resisting the toner. (A small amount of toner
scatter is normal for laser printing.) Try a
different media type. See 
Printer media
considerations  for more information.
● Turn over the stack of media in the tray.
● Use media designed for laser printers. See
Printer media considerations  for more
information.
Water droplets on bottom edge
NOTE
Moisture in the printer is condensing on the fuser
assembly and dropping onto the media. In
excessively hot and humid areas, media retains
moisture. Water droplets do not damage the
printer.
● Use different media.
● Store media in an airtight container to
minimize absorption of moisture.
Return to Finding the solution .
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Clearing jams
CAUTIONTo prevent damage to the printer when clearing jams, including jams in the output bin,
always open the print cartridge door and remove the print cartridge. Keep the door open and
the cartridge out until the jam has been cleared. Opening the print cartridge door and
removing the print cartridge relieves tension on  the printer rollers, which prevents damage to
the printer and makes the removal of jammed pages easier.
Occasionally, media becomes jammed during a print job.  You are notified of a media jam by
an error from the software and the printer control panel lights. See 
Status light patterns  for
more information.
The following are some of the causes of media jams:
● The input trays are loaded improperly or are too full. See 
Loading media into the input
trays  for more information.
NOTE
When you add new media, always remove all of  the media from the input tray and straighten
the stack of new media. This helps prevent multiple sheets of media from feeding through
the printer at one time, reducing media jams.
● The media does not meet HP specifications. See 
Printer media considerations  for more
information.
Typical media jam locations
● Print cartridge area : See Removing a jammed page for instructions.
● Input tray areas : If the page is still sticking out of  the input tray, gently try to remove it
from the input tray without tearing the  page. If you feel resistance, see 
Removing a
jammed page for instructions.
● Output path : If the page is sticking out of the output bin, see 
Removing a jammed page
for instructions.
NOTE
There might be loose toner in  the printer after a media jam. This toner clears up after a few
sheets are printed.
Removing a jammed page
CAUTIONMedia jams might result in loose toner on the  page. If you get any toner on your clothes,
wash them in cold water.  Hot water will permanently set the toner into the fabric .
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CAUTIONTo prevent damage to the printer when clearing jams, including jams in the output bin,
always open the print cartridge door and remove the print cartridge.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the print cartridge, minimize its exposure to direct light. Cover the
print cartridge with a sheet of paper.
1. Open the print cartridge door, and remove the print cartridge.
2. With both hands, grasp the side of the media that is most visible (this includes the middle), and carefully pull it free from the printer.
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