HP Confidential CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

HP Confidential
CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

November 2001
Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn
Resolving Print Quality Defects Consumables account for most print quality issues. Do not replace any hardware parts until you have ensured a consumable is not the source of the print quality issue. It is important to understand the EP process before embarking on PQ troubleshooting. A brief recap on the CLJ4500/4550 EP process is: 1. The Primary Charge roller inside the imaging drum charges the OPC drum to approximately -600v. 2. The laser beam selectively discharges the OPC drum. 3. Black is developed onto the OPC drum first, then immediately transferred to the ITB. 4. Magenta, Cyan, and Yellow are then developed (in that order), using the same process as black. 5. Once all 4 color planes have been transferred to the ITB, the image on the ITB is transferred to the paper via the secondary transfer roller. Note on Lines / Banding / Streaking PQ issues: It is important when addressing these issues to understand the paper verses banding orientations correct.
Figure 1: Horizontal and vertical banding (The arrows for both pictures in Figure 1 indicate the process direction (or paper movement).
1- Horizontal banding (perpendicular to the process direction) 2- Vertical banding (parallel to the process direction)
Repetitive Defect Distances
Consumable Image Drum Toner Cartridges Fuser ITB Transfer Roller
Roller Charge Roller OPC Drum Black Color ICL Roller
Distance 40mm (1.6 inches) 152mm (6 inches) 37mm (1.5 inches) 30mm (1.2 inches) 131mm (5.2 inches) 40mm (1.6 inches) 53mm (2.1 inches)
HP Confidential CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide
November 2001 Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn
References to additional information Several PQ issues mentioned in this guide are documented with greater detail in the Knowledge Retrieval System (KRS). To receive a login and password for KRS, contact ICO Technical Marketing at the following URL: http://techweb.boi.hp.com/ Note: Several PQ defects are caused by 3rd-party / remanufactured cartridges. Refer to BPL10795 for complete information on identifying 3rd-Party cartridges.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Blank Pages
Description
All printouts, including printer test pages, exit the printer blank
Possible Causes
Blocked laser shutter The imaging drum is not rotating The imaging drum shutter is not retracting Defective ITB (if blank pages print continuously without stopping). Defective drum drive assembly
Troubleshooting and Suggestions

Disconnect the printer from the network before troubleshooting. Check the tab on the imaging drum (See BPL90006, Figure 1 for the location). Verify that it is present. Check to see if white gear on the drum drawer is present (See BPL90006, Figure 2 for the location). Check service note C4084A-11 for troubleshooting a possible defective ITB.
Recommended Parts
ITB White gear HVPS Imaging Drum Carousel drive assembly Drum Drive assembly
IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90006. See service note C4084A-11 for the defective ITB issue.
Toner Dusting/Leaking
Description Spots and small blobs of one of more than one toner color appear on the printed page. Spots may also appear on the back side of print jobs. Possible Causes
Toner dusting occurs when toner particles migrate from the toner cartridges and deposit on the flaps that cover the toner cartridges. The CMY cartridges use a non-magnetic toner that relies on static charging to hold the particles in place. Many times, customers have cartridges that extend beyond the stated 6,000-page life. As a result, some of the toner particles become "worn" and lose their ability to hold a charge. These particles can then fly away from the toner cartridge as toner dust and deposit on the flaps. Sometimes toner dust will build up on the toner cartridge itself, then fall onto the transfer roller. As media passes over the transfer roller, this toner is picked up and appears as spots that repeat and fade down the page. The printer performs a cleaning cycle that removes toner from the transfer roller, but it may not clean the roller entirely. Troubleshooting and suggestions Clean the transfer roller with a lint-free cloth Clean out the waste toner collection tray Check for 3rd party cartridges. (See BPL10795). Replace the leaking cartridge(s) Recommended Parts Toner cartridge(s) Toner cloths Transfer roller (optional) IMPORTANT NOTE: This PQ defect is covered in a work instruction. See BPL90013.
Toner Flaking
Description Toner has flaked off the printed page and may be re-deposited on other parts of the page. (The example shown here was a letter-sized label). Possible Causes The media is not within specifications. (Media is heavier than then what is supported by the printer. Toner may build up on the fuser and redeposit on the next page. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Verify that the media is within specifications Recommended Parts Fuser (optional) if it has been damaged by repeated use of unsupported media.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Smeared Print
Description The printed image is smeared and may appear faded or diluted. Possible Causes Jammed media in or around the ITB, imaging drum, transfer roller, or fuser. (See Figure 1). The frame above the ITB cleaning roller has been bent, causing the cleaning roller to push against the ITB belt every couple of inches. (See Figure 2). Troubleshooting and Suggestions Check the ITB for abrasion marks. Check the ITB ICL roller for damage or for jammed media like an adhesive label. Check for jammed media underneath the ITB's top cover. Check for a damaged ITB (bent ITB frame). Recommended parts ITB
HP Confidential

November 2001
Full-page Ghosting
Description Entire images from the previous page "ghost" on the current page. In this example, the Configuration page is ghosting on the EIO 1 Configuration page. Possible Causes A defective ITB may cause the issue (most common). 3rd-Party Cartridges The three high-voltage contacts on the middle front drawer may be damaged or missing contacts (springs). The cleaning roller cam clutch (CL3) is not engaging. A failing High-Voltage Power Supply (HVPS) may cause this issue due to improper charging of the ITB cleaning roller. Site power. (Plug the printer directly into the wall). Troubleshooting and suggestions Check the media. Check the humidity and temperature. Check the electrical connections in the middle front drawer. Check the face plate and the cam shaft for CL3. Recommended Parts See BPL90043 for recommended parts. IMPORTANT NOTE: This PQ defect is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90043.
November 2001
Same page ghosting in a 40mm band

(Process Direction) Description Ghosted images at a 40mm interval print down the page in the process direction. Color or black may ghost. Possible Causes The ITB ICL roller cam assembly may not reset normally, causing the alignment marks not to align correctly. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Measure the ghosted images with a PQ defects ruler. Check for a label wrapped around the ICL roller. Check the position of the alignment marks on the CL3 cam shaft. (The alignment marks should face out). Recommended Parts Transfer kit CL3 IMPORTANT NOTE: This PQ defect is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90043.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Black Developer Ghosting (37mm)

(Process Direction) Description Images repeat (ghost) down the page in 37mm increments, which matches the circumference of the developer sleeve on the black toner cartridge. Possible Causes When printing a heavy black or solid dark color, the negative charge that has been applied to the imaging drum cannot be cleared quickly enough to eliminate the heavy toner buildup. The heavier the contrast between the solid image and the background, the stronger the ghost image will appear and the more often it will repeat. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Avoid using heavy concentrations of color against a lighter, contrasting background Move the solid image so a shaded area is not below it Change the density of the shaded area Recommended Parts None IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is covered in KRSII. See BPL11041 for complete details.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Magenta or Black-Only Ghosting

Description This defect appears as a streak of color down the page after magenta is laid down. It is best seen after printing three or more consecutive font lists. Possible Causes The ITB cleaning roller is not applying enough positive charge on the residual toner to carry the toner to the imaging drum surface for cleaning. Refer to Service Note C4084A-12 for complete details. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Print 20-100 consecutive color pages. (If the ghosting does not disappear, replace the ITB). Check the lot code on the ITB. A counter measure ITB is now available. The lot code for the new ITBs are EGBXXXXXXX or later. Recommended Parts ITB IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90043. Also see Service Note C4084A-12.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Same Page Positive Ghosting

Description This issue appears as a dark shadow (ghost) in areas of light gray on light half-tone colored backgrounds. The ghost image repeats itself every 152 mm (6 inches). Possible Causes When the imaging drum is near the end of its life cycle, the customer may start to see positive ghosting. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Changing the background color or tone in the application can help resolve this issue. Recommended Parts Imaging drum IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90043.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Same Page Negative Ghosting

Description This issue appears when dark images from one part of a page are repeated as light ghosting in areas of medium gray or medium halftone colored backgrounds. The ghost image repeats itself every 152 mm (6 inches). Possible Causes After a new imaging drum is installed, the customer may see negative ghosting. As the drum life progresses, the ghost image may go away. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Change the background color or tone. Recommended Parts None IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90043.
HP Confidential

November 2001
CMYK Spots (6mm apart)

(Process Direction) Description Rows of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CMYK) dots print down the page in the process direction. The distance between the dots is 6mm. The dots may also appear to be gray or black. In one version, the distance between the dot of a given color and the next of the same color is observably 152mm or about 6 inches from one dot to the next dot of the same color. Possible Causes A nick or scratch has been made on the imaging drum Troubleshooting and suggestions Replace the imaging drum. (This will be the customer's responsibility unless the drum is new). Recommended parts Imaging drum
HP Confidential

November 2001
White Gapping
Description This issue appears as a white line or gap, one or two pixels in width, that surrounds filled areas of text. (Note the white gapping underneath the eagle's wings). Possible Causes There is no hardware fix for this issue Using halftone colors Variations in line widths Polarization within the chemical composition of the toners Troubleshooting and Suggestions Use the PCL driver Change or alter the colors exhibiting white gapping Avoid using halftone colors Remove black borders or frames around a solid fill color Adjust the registration numbers. (See Chapter 7 in the service manual). Recommended Parts None IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is thoroughly explained in KRSII. See document BPL10780.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Yellow haze around red and green text

Description Red and green text or thin lines may appear with a yellow haze (a.k.a. yellow halo) around the edges. This is a NO FIX issue. Some level of haloing may always exist. Possible Causes Haloing is caused by yellow toner scatter and is more likely to manifest when a new yellow cartridge is installed and/or the other cartridges are weak or low. Yellow is the last color laid down. As a result, the area for yellow imaging is not as sharp or focused electrically as the other colors. Haloing is increased by low humidity and unsupported media. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Check for unsupported media or low humidity Try a color of text with less yellow Check replacement history of the cartridges. One cartridge may be low. Adjust the color density settings. (Reduce yellow). Recommended Parts None
HP Confidential

November 2001
Gray hue shift

Description Light, gray images may take on a color cast. Instead of a neutral tone (callout 1), the gray image may appear slightly pink, blue, green, etc. (callout 2). Possible Causes The CLJ4550 & 4550 print a process gray (combination of cyan, magenta, yellow and black). Unlike some printers, gray cannot be created using black halftones. Toner cartridges have lessened charging abilities over time. The newest toner cartridge may create a hue of that color. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Clean the density sensor. Increase or reduce the printer's density settings. Change the color itself to a darker or lighter halftone to reduce hue shift. Print a configuration page and look for any "weak" colors. Select gray scale in the driver if printing black only. Recommended Parts None. (Replacing the cartridges will temporarily fix the issue, however, gray hue shift may reappear when one cartridge is later replaced).
HP Confidential

November 2001
Color Halo or Haze around Solid Fill Areas or Sharkskinning

Description In this example, a colored halo surrounds the 75% and 100% boxes on the left-hand side of the configuration page. However, this PQ issue can be seen anywhere on the page. ( This PQ defect is usually more apparent in areas of higher toner consentration). Possible Causes Low temperature and humidity. Media with high resistivity. (The surface resisitivity of the media changes once the first page is printed, so duplexed pages are more susceptible). Duplexing Troubleshooting and Suggestions Do not duplex the print job. Try a media type with a lower surface resistivity. Increase the humidity in the environment. Recommended Parts None
HP Confidential

November 2001
Discharge marks or chicken scratch

Description
An irregular, wave-like pattern of light lines appear in light, neutral areas, typically on duplex print jobs. The effect is not visible in darker sections of the image or text.
Possible Causes
The media (i.e. glossy paper) has low resistivity. The environment's humidity and temperature are not within the printer's specific range. The secondary transfer roller is not seated correctly. Duplexed printing. Change the paper type or print using an unopened ream. Reseat the secondary transfer roller. Avoid duplexing. Increase the humidity in the printer's environment. Replace the ITB to reduce the amount of discharge marks, although the media resisitivity and moisture content are the main causes.
Troubleshooting and Suggestions
Send the print job at a slower speed (heavy or glossy mode).
Recommended Parts ITB (optional) IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is covered in a work instruction. This defect shows up in many different ways. See document BPL90041 for complete information.
Black Toner Scatter

Description If you observe black color on a color page, you may observe a scattering of toner particles around each black character. These black characters may appear "fuzzy" around the edges when compared to a monochrome LJ printout. Possible Causes Media with high surface resistivity (electrical characteristics). Duplexed print jobs. Color print jobs, not on black and white only pages. Dry environmental conditions If the "scattering" shows only on the bottom of characters, the media has a high moisture content. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Use paper with a surface resistivity of: .0 to 15.0 X 10(10) Ohms/Sq 2. Manually duplex print jobs verses using the automatic duplex feature. Recommended Parts None
HP Confidential

November 2001
Left to Right Faded Print (all colors)

(Scan Direction) Description The entire image on a print out fades from left to right (as shown) or from right to left. Possible Causes Stiff media A paper jam under the ITB assembly has popped the secondary transfer assembly up. Broken ITB lifting arm cam. Missing black cap on the plate kit. Missing "c" bushing on one rail of the ITB drawer. The laser scanner mirror is blocked or contaminated. (It sits behind the silver grill). Troubleshooting and Suggestions Check media. Stiffer media can exhibit this issue. Verify that the secondary transfer roller assembly is pushed down into place. Reinstall the transfer roller. Check the ITB lifting cams. Check the black caps on the ITB lifting arms. Check the "c" bushings on the ITB drawer (one is white, the other is black). Clean the laser scanner grill behind the imaging drum Recommended Parts ITB cam assembly Plate kit ITB drawer Laser/scanner (optional) IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL900180.
Fading Black Plane

Description The black plane fades on print jobs. In this example, the black is fading from left to right. This PQ defect generally occurs on older printers with a fairly high page count. Possible Causes Issues with the black toner cartridge Spring is bent over in the toner cartridge slot in the carousel. Media. (Stiffer paper can exhibit this problem). Mature printers with a fairly high page count. The connections for CL2 and CL3 have been switched on the Paper Feed PCB. Defective carousel drive assembly. (The retractable HV pin on this assembly has been found to wear, giving a poor connection to the carousel). Troubleshooting and Suggestions Replace the black toner cartridge Try 80gm2 (20 lb) paper. Recommended Parts Black toner cartridge Carousel drive assembly (optional) Carousel assembly (optional) IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90180.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Light Print on One Side

Description Light print in all colors show on one side of a print job. Possible Causes The black cap on the ITB lifting cam lever is missing. The ITB lifting cam lever is damaged. One of the "c" bushings on the middle front drawer is missing. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Replace the black cap
Light Print on Left hand side of page caused by missing black plastic cap on ITB lifting cam lever. Replace black cap if ITB lift cam lever(s) damaged.
Recommended Parts Plate Cover (if the cap is missing) Plate Kit (if the lever is damaged) Middle front drawer (optional)
HP Confidential

November 2001
Black Color Plane Only

Description Black is the only color put down on a color print job like on this configuration page. Possible Causes Grayscale is selected in the driver (This would not apply to an internal print job like a configuration page). CL2 is not functioning Troubleshooting and Suggestions Check the grayscale setting in the driver. Verify that CL2 is seated correctly. Verify black only on an internal print job. Check the first three calibration value sets on the configuration page (See callout 1). Recommended Parts CL2 Paper Feed PCB High Voltage Power Supply (optional)
IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90039.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Random Color Plane(s) Missing

Description Certain color plane(s) may intermittently disappear from print jobs. The first example shows a CLJ4500 demo page missing the Magenta and Cyan color planes, while the second demo page is missing the Magenta and Black color planes. Possible Causes The High Voltage contact on the Carousel assembly is broken/defective. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Verify that the color planes are missing from internal print jobs like a demo or engine test page. Recommended Parts High Voltage Power Supply (HVPS) PS10 Carousel drive assembly (optional) Carousel assembly (optional)
HP Confidential

November 2001
Missing Black Plane

Description The black color plane is completely missing on a print job. Possible Causes The black toner cartridge is empty. The sealing tape has not been removed from the cartridge. The connections for CL2 and CL3 have been switched on the Paper Feed PCB. The Carousel Assembly is defective. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Check the black toner cartridge for sealing tape. Replace the black toner cartridge. Check the CL2 & CL3 connections if the defect appears after a service call. Recommended Parts Black toner cartridge PS10 Carousel assembly
HP Confidential

November 2001
Cyan and Yellow Color Planes Missing

Description All printouts are missing the cyan and yellow color planes. Possible Causes A paper jam in the fusing area bent the thermister, causing the fuser to overheat without an error reporting on the control panel. The overheated fuser damaged the cyan and yellow cartridges because they sit over the fuser in-between print jobs, causing permanent damage. This issue may also arise if the printer is unplugged before the fans shut off. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Check the following parts to see if they are partially melted: Rear door Feeder assembly Rowel swing assembly Carousel flap All 4 toner cartridges Fuser Recommended Parts Fuser
HP Confidential

November 2001
Black, vertical streaks

(Process Direction) Description Black, vertical streaks are printed from the top edge of a vertical page to the bottom edge. Possible Causes The cleaning blade on the drum may have been gouged or scratched the drum surface. An excessive buildup of toner on the drum. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Perform a half-self test to determine the origin of the defect. Check the imaging drum for a corresponding defect. Recommended Parts Imaging Drum
HP Confidential

November 2001
Black or Gray Vertical Lines

(Process Direction) Description A dark line or lines run down the printed page in the process direction. These lines may be gray or darker versions of the local colors in the printed images, and the bands may be varying width on either side of the page. Possible Causes An excessive buildup of waste toner in one area of the imaging drum. Defect n the transfer roller or ITB. Troubleshooting and suggestions Print a half-self test to locate the source of the issue. Remove and inspect the drum, transfer belt, and the transfer roller for similar bands. Gently rock the imaging drum back and forth to distribute the waste toner. Recommended parts Imaging drum ITB Transfer roller
HP Confidential

November 2001
One thin vertical line

(Process Direction) Description A light vertical line shows up on a vertical page. The line fades out in the darker areas and may be hairline thin or as wide as .625 centimeters (.0625 inches) long Possible Causes An obstruction such as a piece of lint may be protruding out of the laser scanner window toward the front of the printer obstructing the laser beam. Troubleshooting and suggestions Clean the laser scanner windows with the printer's blue cleaning brush. Do not use canned air. Recommended Parts Laser/Scanner Assembly
IMPORTANT NOTE: This PQ defect is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90112.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Fuser Inlet Guide Streaks

(Process Direction) Description One or more vertical lines may show on print jobs. (See callout 1). Possible Causes Toner build-up on the fuser inlet guides Duplexing print jobs Troubleshooting and Suggestions Remove the fuser and inspect the fuser inlet guides. (This may be difficult since the buildup may be the same color as the guide). Check for heavy duplex use. Check for 3rd party cartridges (See document BPL10795). Recommended Parts Fuser
HP Confidential

November 2001
White, vertical lines

(Process Direction)
Gouged ITB
Description Vertical white lines run the entire length of a vertical page. The lines appear even in width with possible rough edges. Possible Causes Damaged or obstructed ITB Troubleshooting and suggestions Print a configuration page to verify the PQ defect Check the ITB, transfer roller, and imaging drum. Remove any obstructions. Recommended Parts ITB
HP Confidential

November 2001
Several, thin vertical lines

(Process Direction) Description Very fine, vertical lines less than a millimeter apart may appear in various places on a vertical page. Ghost images may appear to the left of the text and graphics. A fine, ropelike pattern may appear to the right of colored graphics. Possible Causes Defective Formatter Troubleshooting and suggestions Perform a half-self test Print a configuration page if the defect appears on the half-self test Reseat the formatter if the defect appears on the engine test Recommended Parts Formatter PCA IMPORTANT NOTE: This PQ defect is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90112
HP Confidential

November 2001
Fine vertical lines

(Process Direction) Description Light vertical lines an eighth of an inch apart cover the printed images on a page. In some cases, patterns of dark vertical lines cover the entire page. Possible Causes Incorrectly seated or defective formatter Troubleshooting and suggestions Try a half-self test Remove the formatter and any 3rd party memory. Reseat the formatter Recommended Parts Formatter PCA
HP Confidential

November 2001
DC Controller Bands
(Process Direction) Description The vertical page is broken into alternating 1/2 inch vertical sections. In the top and bottom thirds of the page, the sections alternate displaced slices of the image; in the middle third of the page, every other section is lighter than the original image. Possible Cause Defective DC Controller Troubleshooting and Suggestions Reseat the firmware, memory, and formatter. Remove third-party memory DIMM or EIO devices. Dispatch technician to replace DC Controller if the issue cannot be resolved by performing the preceding steps. Recommended Parts DC Controller
HP Confidential

November 2001
Horizontal Banding
(Scan Direction) Description Horizontal banding shows through all colors. The bands appear in an even pattern through the entire printable area. Possible Causes Defective High Voltage Power Supply Troubleshooting Print a configuration or demo page and verify that the banding appears in all colors. Recommended Parts HVPS
IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is covered in a work instruction. See BPL90044.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Magenta & Cyan Banding

Description A horizontal magenta line followed by a cyan line prints out on a vertical page at 152mm (6 inches) intervals, the distance of the imaging drum. Possible Causes New drums can show this defect due to the charge roller and/or the cleaning blade rubbing on the drum during shipping. This defect is caused by a temporary positive charge that gets trapped on the OPC surface. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Wait one to two days while running several copies. The defect should clear up on its own. If it doesn't, replace the imaging drum. Recommended Parts Imaging drum (optional)
HP Confidential

November 2001
Sunburn banding
(Horizontal Direction) Description A pair of dark, horizontal bands 152mm apart, print out on a vertical page. Possible Causes When the imaging drum is exposed to excessive light, it becomes desensitized in the exposed areas, resulting in dark banding. Troubleshooting and suggestions Turn the printer off Remove and replace the imaging drum Recommended parts Imaging drum IMPORTANT NOTE: This PQ defect is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90012.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Gray, Horizontal Bands

(Scan Direction) Description Gray, horizontal bands appear on all printouts. Possible Causes Defective Formatter PCA. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Verify that internal printouts like an engine test and configuration page show the horizontal bands. Recommended Parts Formatter PCA
IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is covered in a work instruction. See BPL90044.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Complete Discoloration from Edge to Edge

Description The entire page is discolored and streaked from edge to edge with multiple colors. Possible Causes Defective High Voltage Power Supply Troubleshooting and Suggestions Verify that the defect shows up on an internal print job like a configuration page. Recommended Parts High Voltage Power Supply (HVPS)
HP Confidential

November 2001
Color Plane Offset

Description Color plane offset will manifest itself when one color plane shifts up or down. In this example, the yellow color plane has shifted up higher than the other color planes. Possible Causes In many cases, the drum drive assembly is defective and needs to be replaced. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Verify that the defect shows on a configuration page. A service technician can perform additional diagnostic tests like registration adjustments to isolate the cause. Recommended Parts Drum drive assembly DC controller IMPORTANT NOTE: This PQ defect is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90011.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Solid Black Pages

Description All print jobs print as a solid black page without margins. This defect also appears as a heavy grayish print out. Possible Causes The HVPS is normally attributed to this problem. If the primary charge roller in the imaging drum does not charge the drum to 600v, the charge levels could be close to zero. If this occurs, toner will be attracted to these areas, causing a heavy black or gray background. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Verify that the print out does not have a margin. Check and clean the HVPS contacts that supply the primary charge bias to the imaging drum (See Figure 3 in BPL90009 for the location). Recommended Parts Imaging drum HVPS DC Controller PCB IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90009.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Solid Black Page with Margins

Description All print jobs print as a solid black page with margins. Possible Causes This defect shows the normal margin expected if an image was printed, meaning the laser beam was switched on at all times. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Verify that the solid black page has a margin Recommended Parts Laser/scanner assembly DC Controller PCB IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90009.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Darker than normal print

Description Images, including printer test pages, print much darker than normal. Possible Causes This is normally caused by the printer failing to go through calibration. The configuration page displays four separate blocks of numbers that indicate the calibration density settings for each color. If these settings are all zeros, the printer has not gone through calibration correctly. In some cases, the density sensor (PS14) is covered by toner dust or is defective. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Powercycle the printer and verify that the printer calibrates. Print a configuration page and check the calibration values (See Figure 1 in BPL90143 for the location of the calibration values). Clean the density sensor. Verify that the media is within specification Remove any third-party memory. Recommended Parts Density Sensor (PS14) IMPORTANT NOTE: This PQ defect is covered in a work instruction. See document BPL90143.
November 2001
Light/Mottled Print
Description Greens, blues, and purples -- colors that include CYM -- may have thick horizontal bands of light running through them. A cyan smudge appears at the top of the vertical page. Possible Causes Toner ages with carousel rotation and may become "old" before it is used. Also, 3rd party cartridges can cause this issue (See BPL10795). Troubleshooting and Suggestions Check the age of the toner cartridges (in pages, if possible). Observe the secondary colors on the configuration page for mottling. Use the following technique to determine which primary color makes up the secondary color to identify which toner cartridge is causing light or mottled print. To determine the low cartridge, look for the common colors showing the defect. For example, if green and blue share the defect, then the common color is cyan. 1. Red = Magenta + Yellow 2. Green = Cyan + Yellow 3. Blue = Cyan + Magenta Recommended Parts Toner Cartridge IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is covered in KRSII. See
BPL08701 for complete details.
HP Confidential

November 2001
Light Bands of Color on OHTs (4550 only)

Description When using overhead transparencies (OHT), areas of the page that are supposed to be solid color, print with bands of lighter color mixed within. This issue is most often seen with blue and green colors and in MS PowerPoint files because they often have a dark blue background. In this example, the circled blue box should be solid dark blue. However, light bands run through it. Banding is also seen in other areas of this example, including the green background. Possible Causes The CLJ4550 uses different color tables for paper media than for OHTs. This issue is caused by a problem with the OHT color table. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Print the same file on paper media to see if the banding reoccurs. If not, the problem is with the OHT color table. Upgrade to the latest firmware. (This issue was fixed with firmware version 1.011.0 for the 4550). Try using a different shade of color. If possible, do not use blues and greens. Recommended Parts Firmware version 1.011.0 or newer IMPORTANT NOTE: This issue is discussed in a service note. See service note C7085-02.
Bubble Print
Description Bubble print can be described as overlapping circles randomly spread throughout any print job. Possible Causes This defect usually occurs after service has been done on the printer and is caused by arching at the connection to the imaging drum. Possible causes may include the following: Obstructed or defective drum ground connector Defective imaging drum Troubleshooting and Suggestions Verify if the printer has been serviced. If so, try to determine what parts were removed and/or replaced. Also, check the HVPS contact on the drum. Recommended Parts Drum ground connector Imaging drum (optional)
HP Confidential

November 2001
Light random lines or missing toner

Description Irregular light streaks or missing toner (scratch marks) appear on images. Toner is raised (not smooth) across the page and may not adhere well. Possible Causes Fuser roller delamination can be caused by the fuser overheating, unsupported media melting to the fuser roller, or fuser jams. Troubleshooting and suggestions Verify that the media is within specifications. Examine the fuser rollers. Instead of a smooth brown surface, the rollers will likely show creases or missing bits of the outer layer. Recommended Parts Fuser
HP Confidential

November 2001
Water Spots (Sand Dunes)

Description Spots that look like water drops appear on a printout. These spots appear more readily on the first (front) page of a duplexed page and range from 1 to 7mm in diameter. Possible Causes Most likely, the cause rests with post transfer breakdown. The issue is usually media related and is magnified on duplex print jobs. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Check media specifications. Try a fresh ream of paper. Turn the duplex option off from the control panel. Do not duplex. Ensure that the resistor holder and transfer assembly are making good contact. Recommended Parts Transfer Assembly
HP Confidential

November 2001
Colors switched or wrong

Description The image prints with correct sharpness but with the wrong colors. Depending on the color scheme of the original image, the print may also appear too dark. Possible Causes This case was resolved by switching two of the toner cartridges that had been installed in each other's slots in the carousel. The cartridges had been forced into the printer hard enough to break the locator keys off the cartridge shutters. Troubleshooting and Suggestions Print a configuration page and check the bottom of the page for a mismatch between two of the colors and their color names. Switch the cartridges to the correct positions. Recommended Parts None
HP Confidential

November 2001

HP Confidential CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

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HP Confidential CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

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HP Confidential

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Repetitive Defect Distances

Consumable Image Drum Toner Cartridges Fuser ITB Transfer Roller

Roller Charge Roller OPC Drum Black Color ICL Roller

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Troubleshooting and Suggestions

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Same page ghosting in a 40mm band

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Black Developer Ghosting (37mm)

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Magenta or Black-Only Ghosting

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Same Page Positive Ghosting

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Same Page Negative Ghosting

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

CMYK Spots (6mm apart)

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Yellow haze around red and green text

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Gray hue shift

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Color Halo or Haze around Solid Fill Areas or Sharkskinning

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Discharge marks or chicken scratch

Troubleshooting and Suggestions

Send the print job at a slower speed (heavy or glossy mode).

Black Toner Scatter

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Left to Right Faded Print (all colors)

Fading Black Plane

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Light Print on One Side

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Black Color Plane Only

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn

Random Color Plane(s) Missing

CLJ4500 & 4550 Print Quality Defects Guide

Curtis Gold & Deborah Hahn