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HP LaserJet Pro 100 Color MFPs (M175a and M175nw) - Resolving Print Quality Issues

Issue

Print quality or paper output is not as expected.
If you are experiencing any of the print quality symptoms in the following tables, the solutions can help resolve most issues. Even if your symptom is not listed, these solutions might help.
Garbled, illogical text, and incomplete printout (graphic)
If you are experiencing garbled, jumbled or illogical text, incomplete printouts, or missing text or graphics, go to Resolving Strange, Garbled or Illogical Text, Incomplete Printouts, or Missing Text or Graphics(in English).

Solutions

IMPORTANT: You must follow the solutions and steps in the order presented to resolve the issue.

Solution one: Remove any protective tape from the print cartridges, and then try printing again

Follow these steps to remove any protective tape from the print cartridges, and then try printing again.

Step one: Remove any protective tape from the print cartridges

Print quality issues occur if protective tape remains on the print cartridges.
  caution:
If toner gets on any clothing, wipe it off with a dry cloth and wash the clothing in cold water. Hot water sets toner into the fabric.
  1. Press the Power button () to turn on the product.
  2. Close the print cartridge and rear doors, if they are not already closed.
    note:
    The print cartridge and rear doors must be closed before you access the print cartridges.
    Figure : Close the print cartridge door
    Image: Close the print cartridge door.
    Figure : Close the rear door
    Image: Close the rear door.
  3. On the product control panel, press the Print Cartridge button (). The product makes noises while the print cartridge carousel rotates.
  4. Open the print cartridge door.
      caution:
    Wait until the 'Rotating' message and the rotation sounds stop before you open the print cartridge door.
    Figure : Open the print cartridge door
    Image: Open the print cartridge door.
  5. Grasp the handle on the print cartridge, and then pull the print cartridge straight out to remove it.
    Figure : Remove the print cartridge
    Image: Remove the print cartridge.
  6. Remove any protective tape from the print cartridge.
    Figure : Remove any protective tape
    Image: Remove any protective tape.
  7. Grasp both sides of the print cartridge. Gently rock the print cartridge from front to back to distribute the toner evenly.
    Figure : Gently rock the print cartridge
    Image: Gently rock the print cartridge from front to back to distribute the toner evenly.
  8. Grasp the print cartridge by the center handle, and then insert the print cartridge into the correct slot.
    Figure : Reinsert the print cartridge
    Illustration: Reinsert the cartridge.
    TIP
    Look for color-coded icons on the print cartridge slot to insert the print cartridge in the correct slot.
  9. Close the print cartridge door.
    After you close the print cartridge door, the control panel displays the 'Initializing' message. Wait until product is idle and silent before proceeding.
    Figure : Close the print cartridge door
    Image: Close the print cartridge door.
  10. Press the Print Cartridge button () to rotate the carousel to the next print cartridge, and then repeat the previous steps. Do this for each print cartridge.

Step two: Try printing again

Try the print job again.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists, see the next solution.

Solution three: Adjust, reload, and change the paper

Follow these steps to adjust, reload, and change the paper.

Step one: Adjust and reload the paper

  1. For the best paper-feeding conditions, make sure of the following:
    • Examine the paper for dust, lint, or signs of humidity. If the paper is dusty, too dry or too moist, replace it with fresh paper.
      note:
      Extreme temperatures or humidity can directly affect paper quality. If you live in an area with extreme conditions, protect your paper supply by storing it in a plastic airtight container.
    • Turn over the paper stack, rotate it 180°, and then reload the paper into the paper tray.
    • Adjust the paper guides so that they are not too tight or too loose against the paper stack.
      note:
      A small amount of skew is normal and might be noticeable when using preprinted forms. Crooked or skewed printouts can result if the guides are not snug against the paper.
    • Make sure that the paper tray is in place, and that it is not overloaded.
  2. Try again to print.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists, see the next step.

Step two: Change the paper

  1. Change the paper to a high-quality paper that is compatible with your HP product.
    • If you are experiencing curled or wavy paper, the paper might be too light, too thin, or too moist.
      Replace the paper with fresh, dry paper, or change the paper type to one with a heavier basis weight.
    • If you are experiencing creased or wrinkled paper, the paper might be too textured, too thin, or too moist.
      Replace the paper with fresh, dry paper, or change the paper type to one with a heavier basis weight or a smoother texture.
    • If you are experiencing distorted characters, the paper might be too glossy or too textured.
      Change the paper type to one with a matte finish or a smoother texture.
    • If you are experiencing faded text, dropped-out text, or toner scatter, the paper might be too moist, too thick or too glossy, and is resisting the toner.
      Replace the paper with fresh, dry paper, or change the paper type to one with a matte finish or a smoother texture.
      note:
      Small amounts of toner scattered on the paper is normal for laser printing. If large amounts of toner scatter occur, the paper might be resisting the toner. Some paper manufacturing processes can cause paper to reject toner.
  2. Try again to print.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists, see the next solution.

Solution four: Check the printer environment

The product environment can directly affect print quality and is a common cause for print quality or paper feeding issues.
  1. For the best possible print quality, make sure of the following:
    • Move the product away from drafty locations such as open windows or doors, or air conditioning vents.
    • Make sure the product is not exposed to high temperatures or extreme humidity.
      • Very dry (low humidity) conditions can increase the amount of background shading.
      • Very wet (high humidity) conditions can fog up the laser scanner optics, cause drop-outs, cause uneven dark, light or fuzzy print, or leave water droplets on the printed page.
    • Remove the product from confined spaces such as a cabinet.
    • Remove anything blocking the top vents. Make sure that there is good air flow throughout the product, including the top.
    • Protect the product from airborne debris, steam, grease, or other elements that can leave residue inside the product.
  2. Try again to print.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists, see the next solution.

Solution five: Check the printer connections

Devices attached between the computer and the product, or between the product and the wall outlet, can sometimes interfere with communication to and from the product. This can result in character shadows, areas of fuzzy or dark print, or toner marks. To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
  1. Connect the product directly to the computer.
  2. Connect the product directly to the wall outlet.
  3. Try again to print.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists, see the next solution.

Solution six: Print a cleaning page

During the printing process, paper, toner, and dust particles can accumulate inside the product. Over time, this buildup can cause print quality issues such as toner specks, smears, or marks. The product has a cleaning mode that can correct and prevent print quality issues. Follow these steps to print a cleaning page.
  1. Press the Power button () to turn on the product, if it is not already on.
  2. On the product control panel, press the Setup button ().
  3. Press the Right Arrow button () to select Service, and then press OK.
  4. Press the Right Arrow button () to select Cleaning Page, and then press OK.
  5. When prompted, load letter or A4 unused, plain white paper into the input tray, if no paper is in the tray. Otherwise, press OK to start the cleaning process.
    The cleaning process takes about two minutes. The cleaning page stops periodically during the cleaning process. Do not turn the printer off until the cleaning process has finished. You might need to repeat the cleaning process several times to thoroughly clean the printer.
  6. Try the print job again.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists, see the next solution.

Solution seven: Check the printer default setting and change the paper type setting (Windows only)

Follow these steps check the product default setting and to change the paper type setting on a computer running Windows.
note:
This solution might require the full HP software. To install the full version of the software, go to the Get Software and Drivers page to download and install it now.

Step one: Check the printer default

Follow these steps to make sure that the product is selected as the default product.
  1. Open the Printers window.
  2. Find your product, and check whether it is selected as the default printer.
    • If the product icon appears with a checkmark (), skip to the next step.
    • If the product icon does not appear with a checkmark (), right-click the product icon, and select Set as Default Printer.

Step two: Change the paper type setting and try printing again

  1. Load the paper you want to print on into the input tray.
  2. Click File, and then click Print. The Printing Preferences window opens.
  3. Click the Paper/Quality tab.
  4. In the Paper type drop-down list, click More.
  5. Click the Plus icon () next to Type is.
  6. Click the Plus icon () next to the paper type options, and then select the paper type and weight you are using for the print job.
    note:
    HP does not recommend the use of heavily textured paper or extremely thin paper.
  7. If you already have the correct paper type selected, but have the following issues, follow these steps to adjust the fuser temperature.
    note:
    Unlike ink printers, laser printers use heat to fuse a plastic toner to the surface of the paper. Make sure to use heat-resistant paper, and labels and envelopes that use adhesives compatible with the heat and pressure of the product’s fusing process.
    Paper is curled or wavy
    Decrease the fuser temperature setting. To do this, select Light or Transparency.
    Printout has areas of fuzzy or dark print, or toner scatter
    Increase the fuse temperature setting. To do this, click Heavy.
    If this does not resolve the fuzzy, dark print, or toner scatter issues, use lighter or thinner paper.
  8. Click OK.
  9. Click OK again to start the print job.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists, see the next solution.

Solution eight: Print and review a diagnostics page

Follow these steps to print and review a diagnostics page.

Step one: Print a diagnostics page

  1. Load letter or A4 unused, plain white paper into the input tray.
  2. On the product control panel, press the Setup button ().
  3. Press the Right Arrow button () to select Reports, and then press OK.
  4. Press the Right Arrow button () to select Diagnostics Page, and then press OK.
  5. Press OK to print the diagnostics page.
      Figure : Example diagnostics page showing the color alignment bars
      Image: Example diagnostics page showing the color alignment bars.
    1. Color alignment bars
  6. Check the color alignment bars on the diagnostics page.
    Example of how the color alignment bars look when the calibration is correct
    Example of how the color alignment bars look when the calibration is incorrect
    Example of the color alignment bars when the calibration is correct
    Example of the color alignment bars when the calibration is incorrect
    • If the diagnostics page prints correctly, try printing again. If you are still experiencing print quality issues, see the next solution.
    • If the diagnostics page does not print correctly, continue to the next step to calibrate the product.

Step two: Calibrate the printer

Follow these steps to calibrate the product.
  1. Press the Power button () to turn on the product, if it is not already on.
  2. On the product control panel, press the Setup button ().
  3. Press the Right Arrow button () to select System Setup, and then press OK.
  4. Press the Right Arrow button () to select Print Quality, and then press OK.
  5. Press OK to select Calibrate Color. The calibration takes about two minutes. Wait until the calibration ends before proceeding.
  6. Try printing again.
    • If the issue is resolved, stop troubleshooting.
    • If you are still experiencing print quality issues, repeat the calibration steps. You can recalibrate the product as many as three times. If, after three calibrations, you are still experiencing print quality issues, see the next solution.

Solution nine: Reset the printer and restart the computer

If the computer and the product are not communicating correctly, resetting the product and restarting the computer might help.

Step one: Reset the printer

  1. Press the Power button () to turn off the product.
    note:
    The product might not turn off after pressing the Power button. Continue to the next step regardless.
  2. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the product.
  3. Unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.
  4. Wait 30 seconds.
    Figure : Wait 30 seconds
    Image of an hourglass that shows 30 seconds.
  5. Plug the power cord back into the electrical outlet.
  6. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the product.
  7. Press the Power button to turn on the product.

Step two: Restart the computer

Follow the steps to restart the computer for your operating system.
TIP
Consider bookmarking this page on your Web browser, so that you can reference it after restarting the computer.

Step three: Try printing again

Try the print job again.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists, see the next solution.

Solution ten: Identify and replace the problem print cartridge

Step one: Identify the problem print cartridge

Follow these steps to print a Print quality page to identify which print cartridge is causing the issue.
  1. Load letter or A4 unused, plain white paper into the input tray.
  2. On the product control panel, press the Setup button ().
  3. Press the Right Arrow button () to select Reports, and then press OK.
  4. Press the Right Arrow button () to select Print Quality, and then press OK.
  5. Press OK to print the print quality page.
    The page prints five bands of color, which are divided into four overlapping sections. By examining each section, you can isolate the problem to a particular print cartridge.
      Figure : Print quality troubleshooting bands
      Illustration: Print quality troubleshooting bands
    1. Yellow print cartridge
    2. Cyan print cartridge
    3. Black print cartridge
    4. Magenta print cartridge
    • If a mark or line appears in only one section, replace the print cartridge that corresponds to that section.
    • If a mark or line appears in more than one section, replace the print cartridge that matches the color of the mark or line.

Step two: Replace the problem print cartridge and try printing again

If after you have completed the above solutions you are still experiencing print quality issues, you might have a damaged, empty or incompatible print cartridge.
note:
HP recommends that you use genuine HP cartridges. Genuine HP cartridges are designed and tested with HP printers to help you easily produce great results, time after time. HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP supplies. Warranty does not cover product service or repairs required from the use of a non-HP ink or toner supply. HP recommends that you make sure that you are using genuine HP cartridges before you continue.
Purchase replacement cartridges and other supplies from the HP Store or local retailers.
Follow these steps to replace the problem print cartridge.
  1. Press the Power button () to turn on the product.
  2. Close the print cartridge and rear doors, if they are not already closed.
    note:
    The print cartridge and rear doors must be closed to prepare the carousel for access.
    Figure : Close the print cartridge door
    Image: Close the print cartridge door.
    Figure : Close the rear door
    Image: Close the rear door.
  3. On the product control panel, press the Print Cartridge button (). The product rotates the print cartridge carousel.
  4. Open the print cartridge door.
      caution:
    Wait until the 'Rotating' message and the rotation sounds stop before you open the print cartridge door.
    Figure : Open the print cartridge door
    Image: Open the print cartridge door.
  5. If the cartridge you want to replace is not in position for removal, close the print cartridge door, and then press the Print Cartridge button () to rotate the carousel. Otherwise, continue to the next step.
    TIP
    The control panel briefly displays the name of the print cartridge being rotated into position when you press the Print Cartridge button.
  6. Grasp the handle on the old print cartridge, and then pull the print cartridge straight out to remove it.
    Figure : Remove the print cartridge
    Image: Remove the print cartridge.
  7. Remove the new print cartridge from its packaging.
    Figure : Remove the new print cartridge from its packaging
    Image: Remove the new print cartridge from its packaging.
  8. Place the old print cartridge in the bag and box for recycling.
    Figure : Recycle the old print cartridge
    Image: Recycle the old print cartridge.
  9. Grasp both sides of the new print cartridge, and then gently rock the print cartridge to distribute the toner evenly inside.
      caution:
    To prevent damage to the print cartridge, hold the print cartridge at each end. Do not touch the roller on the print cartridge.
    Figure : Gently rock the print cartridge
    Image: Gently rock the print cartridge.
  10. Remove the protective shield from the new print cartridge.
    Figure : Remove the shield
    Image: Remove the shield.
  11. Grasp the print cartridge handle, and then insert the print cartridge into the correct slot.
    Figure : Insert the print cartridge
    Illustration: Insert the print cartridge.
    TIP
    Make sure that the color label on the print cartridge matches the color label in the carousel slot.
  12. If you want to replace another print cartridge, close the print cartridge door, and then press the Print Cartridge button () to rotate the carousel. Then repeat the steps for replacing a cartridge.
  13. Close the print cartridge door.
    After you close the print cartridge door, the control panel displays the 'Initializing' message. Wait until product is idle and silent before proceeding.
    Figure : Close the print cartridge door
    Image: Close the print cartridge door.
  • If these steps resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists, see the next solution.

Solution eleven: Service the printer

note:
Keep a print sample that shows the problem. If the print cartridges, imaging drum, or product is replaced under warranty, the support agent will request the print sample. If the product is returned to HP, the print sample must be returned with the product. Place the sample in the output tray when you package your product for shipping.
Service or replace your HP product if the issue persists after completing all the preceding steps.
Go to Contact HP Customer Support to schedule a product repair or replacement. If you are in Asia Pacific, you will be directed to a local service center in your area.
To confirm your warranty status, go to HP Product Warranty Check. Repair fees might apply for out-of-warranty products.

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