HP LaserJet Pro, Ultra Printers - Fixing Poor Print Quality

This document is for HP LaserJet Pro MFP M130a, M130nw, M130fn, M130fw, M132a, M132nw, M132fn, M132fp, M132fw, M132snw, M227d, M227fdn, M227fdw, M227sdn, LaserJet Ultra MFP M134a, M134fn, M230sdn, and M230fdw printers.

The quality of a printed document is not as expected. The procedures in this document should help with print quality problems such as smeared, fuzzy, dark, or faded print, and loose, partially missing, or scattered toner.

Step 1: Use genuine HP toner cartridges

HP recommends that you use genuine HP ink or toner supplies. HP cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of non-HP or refilled cartridges. If you do not use genuine HP cartridges, the steps in this document might not resolve the issue. To check the authenticity of your cartridges, go to the HP anti-counterfeit webpage (in English).

Purchase replacement cartridges and other supplies from the HP Store or local retailers.

Step 2: Check the paper

The quality and type of paper can affect the print job. Follow these guidelines to make sure that the paper is appropriate. If it is not, load an appropriate paper type.

Use paper that is designed for use in HP LaserJet printers. Do not use paper that is designed only for inkjet printers.
Do not use paper that is too rough. Smoother paper might result in better print quality.

After loading the appropriate paper in the tray, try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step

Step 3: Check the EconoMode setting

EconoMode is an option for printing that uses less toner. However, using EconoMode can reduce print quality.

If the entire page is too dark or too light, the EconoMode setting might be enabled. HP does not recommend the full-time use of EconoMode. If EconoMode is used full time, the toner supply might outlast the mechanical parts in the toner cartridge. If print quality begins to degrade and is no longer acceptable, replace the toner cartridge.

Turn off EconoMode in Windows

Open the EWS through HP Printer Assistant, and then turn off EconoMode.

Search Windows for your printer model, and then click the printer name in the list of results.

HP Printer Assistant opens.
Click Print, and then click HP Device Toolbox.
Click the System tab, and then select the Print Quality page.
In the Economode area, select Off from the drop-down menu.
Print another page to see if the issue is resolved.

Turn off EconoMode in OS X

Open the EWS through HP Utility, and then turn off EconoMode.

Search the Mac for HP, click Hewlett-Packard or HP in the results, and then double-click HP Utility.
Click Additional Settings, and then click Open Embedded Web Server.
Click the System tab, and then select the Print Quality page.
In the Economode area, select Off from the drop-down menu.
Print another page to see if the issue is resolved.

If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 4: Check the print settings

Sometimes the print settings can affect the print quality. Select your operating system, and then check the print settings to make sure that they are appropriate for your print job.

Check print settings in Windows

Check the print settings for your print job in Windows.

In the software application you are trying to print from, click File, and then click Print.

The Print window opens.
Open the Properties dialog box.

Depending on the software application, the button might be Properties, Options, Printer Setup, Printer, or Preferences.
Depending on your print job, you might consider modifying the following settings:
- Paper Type: If you are printing on photo paper, select the type of photo paper you are attempting to print on.
- Print Quality: If you are dissatisfied with the quality of your printouts, increase the print quality. To print more quickly, decrease the print quality. These options typically include Best, Normal, and Draft modes.
- Paper Size: If you are printing on a different size of paper than you normally print on, select the correct paper size.
- Black and White: If you want to print in black and white only, select the grayscale option.
After selecting the print settings, click OK to apply the settings, and then click Print.

If changing print settings resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.

Check print settings in OS X

Check the print settings for your print job in OS X on a Mac computer.

Open a document, click File, and then click Print.

The Print window opens.
Select the Paper Type/Quality or Media & Quality menu.
Depending on your print job, you might consider modifying the following settings:
- Paper type: If one of the options matches your paper type exactly, select that option.
- Quality: If you are dissatisfied with the quality of your printouts, increase the print quality. To print more quickly, decrease the print quality.
To save your settings for future print jobs, select Save in the Presets menu, and then name the new preset.

If changing print settings resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 5: Check the toner level

Select your printer control panel display type, and then follow the steps to check your printer's toner level.

note:
The toner supply level and the percentage of toner cartridge life remaining provide estimates for planning purposes only. When the toner level is low, consider having a replacement toner cartridge available. You do not need to replace toner cartridges until the print quality becomes unacceptable.

Printers with an LCD icon display

Print a Supplies Status Page for toner cartridge information.

Press and hold the Start Copy button

until the Ready light

begins blinking, and then release the Start Copy button.

A Supplies Status Page prints.

Printers with a 2-line display

Print a Supplies Status Page for toner cartridge information.

Make sure there is unused, plain white letter or A4 paper in the input tray.
On the printer control panel, press the OK button.
Press the arrow buttons to select Reports, and then press OK.
Press the arrow buttons to select Supplies Status, and then press OK.
Press the arrow buttons to select Print Supplies Status Page, and then press OK.
On the Supplies Status Page, review the toner cartridge levels.

Printers with a touchscreen display

View toner cartridge information on the printer control panel.

From the home screen on the printer control panel, touch the Supplies icon.
Review the status of the toner cartridge.

If the toner cartridge is not low on toner, you do not need to replace it yet. Skip to the step to print a cleaning page.
If the toner cartridge is low on toner, continue to the next step to replace it.

Step 6: Replace a low or empty toner cartridge

Select your printer model for instructions to replace the toner cartridge.

HP LaserJet Pro M130-M132, M227 printers

To access and replace the toner cartridge in M130-M132 and M227 printers, open the scanner assembly and top cover, and then remove the toner cartridge.

Lift the scanner assembly, and then open the top cover.
Figure : Lifting the scanner assembly, and then opening the top cover

Lift the scanner assembly

Open the top cover
Remove the toner cartridge.

Figure : Removing the toner cartridge
Recycle the old toner cartridge.
Remove the new toner cartridge from the box and packaging shell.

Figure : Removing the toner cartridge from the packaging shell
Align the new toner cartridge with the tracks inside the printer, and then push the toner cartridge until it is firmly seated.

Figure : Installing the toner cartridge
Close the top cover, and then lower the scanner assembly.
Figure : Closing the top cover and then lowering the scanner assembly

Close the top cover

Lower the scanner assembly
The new toner cartridge is installed, and the printer is ready to print.

HP LaserJet Ultra M134, M230 printers

To access and replace the toner cartridge in an M134 or M230 printer, open the scanner assembly and top cover, unlock the toner cartridge from the imaging drum, and then remove the toner cartridge.

Lift the scanner assembly, and then open the top cover.
Figure : Lifting the scanner assembly, and then opening the top cover

Lift the scanner assembly

Open the top cover
Rotate the toner cartridge to the unlock position.

Figure : Rotating the toner cartridge
Remove the toner cartridge.

Figure : Removing the toner cartridge
Recycle the old toner cartridge.
Remove the new toner cartridge from the package and protective bag.

Figure : Removing the toner cartridge from the bag
Align the arrow on the toner cartridge with the unlock icon on the imaging drum, and then gently push the toner cartridge in.

Figure : Installing the new toner cartridge

Figure : Lining up the unlock arrows
Rotate the new toner cartridge to the lock position.

Figure : Rotating the toner cartridge
Close the top cover, and then lower the scanner assembly.
Figure : Closing the top cover, and then lowering the scanner assembly

Close the top cover

Lower the scanner assembly
The new toner cartridge is installed, and the printer is ready to print.

Print another page. If replacing a low or empty toner cartridge resolved the issue, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.

Step 7: Print a cleaning page

The printing mechanism and printing path inside the printer might need to be cleaned to resolve issues like repeating dots, fuzzy print, or smeared toner.