Lexmark C540 User Manual

							Light colored line, white line, or incorrectly colored line
These are possible solutions. Try one or more of the following:
A TONER CARTRIDGE MAY BE DEFECTIVE
Replace the defective toner cartridge.
THE IMAGING KIT MAY BE DEFECTIVE
Replace the imaging kit.
Note: The printer has two types of imaging kits: a black and color imaging kit, and a black imaging kit. The black and
color imaging kit contains cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The black imaging kit contains black only.
Paper curl
These are possible solutions. Try one or more of the following:
CHECK THE PAPER TYPE SETTING
Make sure the paper type setting matches the paper loaded in the tray:
1From the printer control panel Paper menu, check the Paper Type setting.
2Before sending the job to print, specify the correct type setting:
For Windows users, specify the type from Print Properties.
For Macintosh users, specify the type from the Print dialog.
THE PAPER HAS ABSORBED MOISTURE DUE TO HIGH HUMIDITY
Load paper from a fresh package.
Store paper in its original wrapper until you use it.
Print irregularities
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							These are possible solutions. Try one or more of the following:
THE PAPER MAY HAVE ABSORBED MOISTURE DUE TO HIGH HUMIDITY
Load paper from a fresh package.
Store paper in its original wrapper until you use it.
CHECK THE PAPER TYPE SETTING
Make sure the paper type setting matches the paper loaded in the tray:
1From the printer control panel Paper menu, check the Paper Type setting.
2Before sending the job to print, specify the correct type setting:
For Windows users, specify the type from Print Properties.
For Macintosh users, specify the type from the Print dialog.
CHECK THE PAPER
Avoid textured paper with rough finishes.
THE TONER MAY BE LOW
When 88  cartridge low appears or when the print becomes faded, replace the toner cartridge.
THE FUSER MAY BE WORN OR DEFECTIVE
Replace the fuser.
Print is too dark
These are possible solutions. Try one or more of the following:
CALIBRATE THE COLOR
The printer automatically calibrates the colors whenever a new imaging kit is detected. If a cartridge is replaced, then
you can calibrate the colors manually:
1From the printer control panel, press .
2From the Admin menu, press the arrow buttons until Settings appears, and then press .
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							3Press the arrow buttons until Quality menu appears, and then press .
4Press the arrow buttons until Color Adjust appears, and then press .
Calibrating appears.
CHECK THE DARKNESS, BRIGHTNESS, AND CONTRAST SETTINGS
The Toner Darkness setting is too dark, the RGB Brightness setting is too dark, or the RGB Contrast setting is too high.
For Windows users: from Print Properties, select Print Quality and then select More Print Quality Options to
change these settings.
From the printer control panel Quality menu, change these settings.
For Macintosh users:
1Choose File > Print.
2Locate the drop-down box under the Orientation pictures, and then click the down button.
3Click Printer Features.
4Change the settings for Toner Darkness, Brightness, and Contrast.
THE PAPER HAS ABSORBED MOISTURE DUE TO HIGH HUMIDITY
Load paper from a fresh package.
Store paper in its original wrapper until you use it.
CHECK THE PAPER
Avoid textured paper with rough finishes.
CHECK THE PAPER TYPE SETTING
Make sure the paper type setting matches the paper loaded in the tray:
1From the printer control panel Paper menu, check the Paper Type setting.
2Before sending the job to print, specify the correct type setting:
For Windows users, specify the type from Print Properties.
For Macintosh users, specify the type from the Print dialog.
THE IMAGING KIT MAY BE WORN OR DEFECTIVE
Replace the imaging kit.
Note: The printer has two types of imaging kits: a black and color imaging kit, and a black imaging kit. The black and
color imaging kit contains cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The black imaging kit contains black only.
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							Print is too light
These are possible solutions. Try one or more of the following:
CALIBRATE THE COLOR
The printer automatically calibrates the colors whenever a new imaging kit is detected. If a cartridge is replaced, then
you can calibrate the colors manually:
1From the printer control panel, press .
2From the Admin menu, press the arrow buttons until Settings appears, and then press .
3Press the arrow buttons until Quality menu appears, and then press .
4Press the arrow buttons until Color Adjust appears, and then press .
Calibrating appears.
CHECK THE DARKNESS, BRIGHTNESS, AND CONTRAST SETTINGS
The Toner Darkness setting is too light, the RGB Brightness setting is too light, or the RGB Contrast setting is too low.
For Windows users: from Print Properties, select Print Quality and then select More Print Quality Options to
change these settings.
For Macintosh users:
1Choose File > Print.
2Locate the drop-down box under the Orientation pictures, and then click the down button.
3Click Printer Features.
4Change the settings for Toner Darkness, Brightness, and Contrast.
From the printer control panel Quality menu, change these settings.
THE PAPER HAS ABSORBED MOISTURE DUE TO HIGH HUMIDITY
Load paper from a fresh package.
Store paper in its original wrapper until you use it.
CHECK THE PAPER
Avoid textured paper with rough finishes.
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							CHECK THE PAPER TYPE SETTING
Make sure the paper type setting matches the paper loaded in the tray.
1From the printer control panel Paper menu, check the Paper Type setting.
2Before sending the job to print, specify the correct type setting:
For Windows users, specify the type from Print Properties.
For Macintosh users, specify the type from the Print dialog.
MAKE SURE COLOR SAVER IS SET TO OFF
Color Saver may be set to On.
THE TONER MAY BE LOW
When 88  Cartridge Low appears or when the print becomes faded, replace the toner cartridge.
A TONER CARTRIDGE MAY BE DEFECTIVE
Replace the toner cartridge.
THE IMAGING KIT MAY BE WORN OR DEFECTIVE
Replace the imaging kit.
Note: The printer has two types of imaging kits: a black and color imaging kit, and a black imaging kit. The black and
color imaging kit contains cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The black imaging kit contains black only.
Repeating defects
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)
)
)
REPEATING MARKS OCCUR REPEATEDLY ONLY IN ONE COLOR AND MULTIPLE TIMES ON A PAGE
Replace the developer unit if the defects occur every 43.9 mm (1.7 in.)
Replace the imaging kit if the defects occur every:
34.6 mm (1.4 in.)
94.2 mm (3.71 in.)
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							Notes:
The printer has two types of imaging kits: a black and color imaging kit, and a black imaging kit. The black and
color imaging kit contains cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The black imaging kit contains black only.
The Print Defects menu prints a diagnostic list of problems. For more information, see “Menu Settings Page
menu” on page 73.
Skewed print
C
HECK THE PAPER GUIDES
Move the guides in the tray to the correct positions for the paper size loaded.
CHECK THE PAPER
Make sure you are using paper that meets the printer specifications.
Solid color pages
The printer may need to be serviced. For more information, contact Customer Support.
Toner fog or background shading appears on the page
These are possible solutions. Try one or more of the following:
THE IMAGING KIT MAY BE WORN OR DEFECTIVE
Replace the imaging kit.
Note: The printer has two types of imaging kits: a black and color imaging kit, and a black imaging kit. The black and
color imaging kit contains cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The black imaging kit contains black only.
IS THERE TONER IN THE PAPER PATH?
Contact Customer Support.
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							Toner rubs off
These are possible solutions. Try one or more of the following:
CHECK THE PAPER TYPE SETTING
Make sure the paper type setting matches the paper loaded in the tray:
1From the printer control panel, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.
2Before sending the job to print, specify the correct type setting:
For Windows users, specify the type from Print Properties.
For Macintosh users, specify the type from the Print dialog.
CHECK THE PAPER TEXTURE SETTING
From the printer control panel Paper menu, make sure the Paper Texture setting matches the paper loaded in the
tray.
Toner specks
These are possible solutions. Try one or more of the following:
THE IMAGING KIT MAY BE WORN OR DEFECTIVE
Replace the imaging kit.
Note: The printer has two types of imaging kits: a black and color imaging kit, and a black imaging kit. The black and
color imaging kit contains cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The black imaging kit contains black only.
IS THERE TONER IN THE PAPER PATH?
Contact Customer Support.
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							Transparency print quality is poor
C
HECK THE TRANSPARENCIES
Use only transparencies recommended by the printer manufacturer.
CHECK THE PAPER TYPE SETTING
Make sure the paper type setting matches the paper loaded in the tray:
1From the printer control panel, check the Paper Type setting from the Paper menu.
2Before sending the job to print, specify the correct type setting:
For Windows users, specify the type from Print Properties.
For Macintosh users, specify the type from the Print dialog.
Uneven print density
ABCDE
A
BCDE
A
BCDE
Replace the black and color imaging kit.
Solving color quality problems
This section helps answer some basic color-related questions and describes how some of the features provided in the
printer control panel Quality menu can be used to solve typical color problems.
Color misregistration
ABCDEABCDE
ABCDEABCDE
Color has shifted outside of the appropriate area or has been superimposed over another color area.
These are possible solutions. Try one or more of the following:
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							REMOVE AND REINSTALL THE TONER CARTRIDGES
Remove the toner cartridges, and then reinstall them.
CALIBRATE THE COLOR
The printer will automatically calibrate the colors whenever a new imaging kit is detected. If a cartridge is replaced,
then you can calibrate the colors manually:
1From the printer control panel, press .
2From the Admin menu, press the arrow buttons until Settings appears, and then press .
3Press the arrow buttons until Quality menu appears, and then press .
4Press the arrow buttons until Color Adjust appears, and then press .
Calibrating appears.
Note: If you have not resolved the issue, calibrate the color again.
FAQ about color printing
What is RGB color?
Red, green, and blue light can be added together in various amounts to produce a large range of colors observed in
nature. For example, red and green can be combined to create yellow. Televisions and computer monitors create
colors in this manner. RGB color is a method of describing colors by indicating the amount of red, green, or blue
needed to produce a certain color.
What is CMYK color?
Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks or toners can be printed in various amounts to produce a large range of colors
observed in nature. For example, cyan and yellow can be combined to create green. Printing presses, inkjet printers,
and color laser printers create colors in this manner. CMYK color is a method of describing colors by indicating the
amount of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black needed to reproduce a particular color.
How is color specified in a document to be printed?
Software programs typically specify document color using RGB or CMYK color combinations. Additionally, they allow
users to modify the color of each object in a document. For more information, see the software program Help topics.
How does the printer know what color to print?
When a user prints a document, information describing the type and color of each object is sent to the printer. The
color information is passed through color conversion tables that translate the color into the appropriate amounts of
cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner needed to produce the desired color. The object information determines the
application of color conversion tables. For example, it is possible to apply one type of color conversion table to text
while applying a different color conversion table to photographic images.
Should I use PostScript or PCL emulation printer software? What settings should I use for the best color?
The PostScript driver is strongly recommended for best color quality. The default settings in the PostScript driver
provide the preferred color quality for the majority of printouts.
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							Why doesnt the printed color match the color I see on the computer screen?
The color conversion tables used in Auto Color Correction mode generally approximate the colors of a standard
computer monitor. However, because of technology differences that exist between printers and monitors, there are
many colors that can also be affected by monitor variations and lighting conditions. For recommendations on how
the printer color sample pages may be useful in solving certain color-matching problems, see the question, “How
can I match a particular color (such as a corporate logo)?”
The printed page appears tinted. Can I adjust the color?
Sometimes a printed page may appear tinted (for example, everything printed seems to be too red). This can be
caused by environmental conditions, paper type, lighting conditions, or user preference. In these instances, adjust
the Color Balance setting to create a more preferable color. Color Balance provides the user with the ability to make
subtle adjustments to the amount of toner being used in each color plane. Selecting positive or negative values for
cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (from the Color Balance menu) will slightly increase or decrease the amount of
toner used for the chosen color. For example, if a printed page has a red tint, then decreasing both magenta and
yellow could potentially improve the color balance.
My color transparencies seem dark when they are projected. Is there anything I can do to improve the color?
This problem most commonly occurs when projecting transparencies with reflective overhead projectors. To obtain
the highest projected color quality, transmissive overhead projectors are recommended. If a reflective projector
must be used, then adjusting the Toner Darkness setting to 1, 2, or 3 will lighten the transparency. Make sure to print
on the recommended type of color transparencies.
What is manual color correction?
When manual color correction is enabled, the printer employs user-selected color conversion tables to process
objects. However, Color Correction must be set to Manual, or no user-defined color conversion will be implemented.
Manual color correction settings are specific to the type of object being printed (text, graphics, or images), and how
the color of the object is specified in the software program (RGB or CMYK combinations).
Notes:
Manual color correction is not useful if the software program does not specify colors with RGB or CMYK
combinations. It is also not effective in situations in which the software program or the computer operating
system controls the adjustment of colors.
The color conversion tables—applied to each object when Color Correction is set to Auto—generate preferred
colors for the majority of documents.
To manually apply a different color conversion table:
1From the Quality menu, select Color Correction, and then select Manual.
2From the Quality menu, select Manual Color, and then select the appropriate color conversion table for the
affected object type.
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