HP LaserJet 2820, 2840, 3015, 3020, 3030 and 3380 AiO Products - Troubleshooting Copying and Scanning Image Quality problems

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HP LaserJet 2820, 2840, 3015, 3020, 3030 and 3380 AiO Products - Troubleshooting Copying and Scanning Image Quality problems

Pages do not print

Printouts are skewed (crooked)

Parts of the page on printouts are not printing around the edges

Vertical white stripes on printouts

Copies or scanned images are too light or too dark

Gray background on printouts

Black dots or streaks on printouts

Scanned text is not clear on printouts

Images are scanning at reduced size

Toner scatter on printouts

Introduction

This document provides information to help solve scanning and copying problems that may arise with the HP LaserJet all-in-one products.

note:

While the information below is generally applicable to all products, be aware that the HP LaserJet 3015 is a sheet feed not a flatbed scanner like the other models.

For additional print quality troubleshooting that is not specific to copying and scanning see the following information.

Pages do not print

Cause	Solution
The product is not plugged in, or the power switch is not on.	Make sure that the product is plugged into a live wall outlet or power strip and that the power switch is turned on.
The computer cable is loose.	Check that the cable between the product and the computer is securely connected.
The tape was not removed from the print cartridge.	Remove the print cartridge, remove the tape, and reinstall the print cartridge.
The print cartridge is out of toner.	Replace the print cartridge.
	Make sure that the media meets specifications detailed in the HP LaserJet Printer Family Print Media Guide.
The original was loaded upside-down.	Load the original with the side to be scanned facing up in the ADF or down on the flatbed.

Printouts are skewed (crooked)

Example	Cause	Solution
Figure : Skewed printouts	The media is loaded incorrectly.	Reload the media, and make sure that the media guides are not too tight or too loose against the media stack.
	The media guides are broken or missing.	Replace the media input tray or the paper-pickup unit.
	The ADF input tray is too full.	Remove some of the sheets. The ADF input tray can hold up to 50 sheets of 75-g/m2 (20-lb) bond weight paper.
	The type and quality of media does not meet HP's specifications.	Make sure that the media meets specifications detailed in the HP LaserJet Printer Family Print Media Guide.

Parts of the page on printouts are not printing around the edges

Example	Cause	Solution
Figure : No toner on edges of printouts	The product cannot print to the edge of the paper. The printer has minimum margins on each edge of 4.23 mm (0.167 inch).	To fit the image into this printable area, slightly reduce the size of the image.
	If copying, the reduction setting is incorrect.	Copied images will be clipped if the image on the original is too close to the edge of the original.
	The paper size setting is incorrect.	Set the correct page size on the control-panel menu.

Vertical white stripes on printouts

Example	Cause	Solution
Figure : Vertical white stripes	The media does not meet HP's specifications (it is too moist or rough).	Make sure that the media meets specifications detailed in the HP LaserJet Printer Family Print Media Guide.
	The toner is low.	Gently shake the print cartridge back and forth to redistribute the toner.
	If copying with the ADF, the ADF glass is dirty.	Clean the ADF glass. If the problem persists, replace the print cartridge. If the problem persists replace the fuser assembly.

Copies or scanned images are too light or too dark

Example	Cause	Solution
Figure : Copied/Scanned printouts are too light or dark	The contrast is not set correctly.	Adjust the contrast and resolution settings on the control panel menu or from the HP Toolbox. Check that the contrast and resolution settings are correct. See the User Guide for more information.
	The original image is very light or very dark.	Adjust the resolution and contrast settings on the control panel or from the HP Toolbox.
	The scanned image is too light or too dark because the original was on colored paper.	If the original was on a colored paper, including brown recycled paper, the text might not be clear. Adjust the resolution, contrast, and brightness settings from HP Toolbox.

Gray background on printouts

Example	Cause	Solution
Figure : Grey background	The priority input tray is not in place.	Adjust the priority input tray.
	The print density setting is too high.	Decrease the amount of background shading by using the HP Toolbox.
	The lighter/darker setting is incorrect.	Adjust the lighter/darker setting to a lighter level.
	The media basis weight is too high.	Change the media to a lower basis weight.
	The humidity level is too low.	Very low humidity can increase the amount of background shading. Move the product to a different location, or decrease the background shading by using the HP Toolbox.
	The print cartridge needs to be replaced.	Replace the print cartridge.

Black dots or streaks on printouts

Example	Cause	Solution
Figure : Black dots or streaks	The scanner glass is dirty.	Clean the ADF and flatbed glass.
	A problem exists with the scanner assembly.	Replace the scanner assembly.
	The toner drum in the print cartridge is damaged.	Replace the print cartridge.

Scanned text is not clear on printouts

Example	Cause	Solution
Figure : Scanned text not clear	The contrast, resolution, or brightness needs to be adjusted before scanning.	Adjust the contrast and resolution settings from the HP Toolbox. Check that the contrast and resolution settings are correct. See the User Guide for more information.
	The original is on colored paper.	If the original is on colored paper, including brown recycled paper, the text might not be clear. Try adjusting the resolution, contrast, and brightness settings from the HP Toolbox.
	There is a problem with the scanner assembly.	Replace the scanner assembly.

Images are scanning at reduced size

Example	Cause	Solution
Figure : Reduced size scan	The HP software settings are set to reduce the scanned image.	Adjust the settings from within the HP Toolbox. Adjust the settings in the HP LaserJet Scan software.

Toner scatter on printouts

Example	Cause	Solution
Figure : Toner scatter	The media resistivity is too high.	Use a different media type. Make sure that the media meets specifications detailed in the HP LaserJet Printer Family Media Guide. Turn the stack of media over and put it back in the tray. Use media that is designed for laser printers.