HP P3015 Service Manual

							Solve image-quality problems
Image defect examples
These examples identify the most common print-quality problems. If you still have problems after trying
the suggested solutions, contact HP Customer Support.
Table 3-9  Image defect examples
ProblemImage exampleSolution
Blank page1.The laser/scanner shutter on the print cartridge might be damaged. Replace
the print cartridge.
2. The laser/scanner shutter on the laser/scanner might be damaged. Replace
the laser/scanner. See 
Laser/scanner on page 107.
3. The laser/scanner might be damaged. Replace the laser/scanner. See 
Laser/
scanner on page 107.
4. Poor developing bias with the cartridge  contacts. Clean the contact on the print
cartridge.
5. The high-voltage power supply might be damaged. Replace the high-voltage
power supply. See 
High-voltage power supply (HVPS) on page 121.
Light print (partial page)1.Make sure that the print cartridge is fully installed.
2. The print cartridge might be almost empty. Check the supplies status, and
replace the print cartridge if necessary.
3. The paper might not meet HP specifications (for example, the paper is too
moist or too rough).
Light print (entire page)1.Make sure that the print cartridge is fully installed.
2. Ma k e  su re  th a t th e  ECONOMODE  setting is turned off at the control panel and
in the printer driver. For more information, see the product user guide.
3. Open the CONFIGURE DEVICE  menu at the product control panel. Open the
PRINT QUALITY  submenu and increase the  TONER DENSITY setting. For
more information, see the product user guide.
4. Try using a different type of paper.
5. The print cartridge might be reaching its estimated end of life. Check the
supplies status, and replace the print cartridge if necessary.
ENWW Solve image-quality problems 247 
						

							ProblemImage exampleSolution
Perform the following test
Stop a print job during the print operation before it is complete, then remove
the print cartridge. Open the photosensitive drum shield, and look at the toner
image on the drum.
◦If the image is not fully transferring to the page, replace the transfer roller.
See 
Transfer roller on page 92. Go to step 6.
◦ If the toner on the drum is faint, replace the laser/scanner. See 
Laser/
scanner on page 107. Go to step 9.
6. The transfer roller shaft might be dirty. Remove the transfer roller and clean
the shaft to ensure good contact. See 
Transfer roller on page 92.
7. If the transfer roller is deformed or damaged, replace the roller. See 
Transferroller on page 92.
8. The high-voltage power supply might be damaged. Replace the high-voltage
power supply. See 
High-voltage power supply (HVPS) on page 121.
9. The laser/scanner might be damaged. Replace the laser/scanner. See 
Laser/scanner on page 107.
If replacing the laser/scanner does not resolve the problem and the high-
voltage power supply was not replaced (step 8), replace the high-voltage
power supply. See 
High-voltage power supply (HVPS) on page 121.
Specks (front or back of
the page is dirty)Specks might appear on a page after a jam has been cleared.
1. The paper might be dirty. Use a new package of paper. make sure that the
paper is stored correctly. See your product user guide.
2. Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
3. Clean the inside of the product and run a cleaning page to clean the fuser. See
Print Quality menu on page 180.
4. Try using a different type of paper.
5. Check the print cartridge for leaks. If t he print cartridge is leaking, replace it.
6. The cassette pickup roller might be dirty. Clean the roller. If it cannot be
cleaned, replace the roller. See 
Tray 2, Tray 3, or Tray 4 pickup roller
on page 88.
7. Repetitive dirt marks can be caused by the registration roller, transfer roller or
pressure roller. Use the 
Repetitive image-defect ruler on page 173 to identify
the problem, and then replace the appropriate component.
8. The media-feed guide, or the fuser-inlet  guide might be dirty. Clean the guide.
9. The delivery rollers might be dirty. Clean the rollers.
Table 3-9  Image defect examples (continued)
248 Chapter 3   Solve problems ENWW 
						

							ProblemImage exampleSolution
Dropouts 1.Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met.
See 
Environmental specifications on page 309.
2. If the paper is rough, and the toner easily rubs off, open the  CONFIGURE
DEVICE  menu at the product control panel. Open the  PRINT QUALITY
submenu, select  FUSER MODES, and then select the paper type you are
using. Change the setting to  HIGH1 or HIGH2, which helps the toner fuse more
completely onto the paper. For more information, see the product user guide.
3. Try using a smoother paper.
4. If the transfer roller is deformed or damaged, replace the roller. See 
Transferroller on page 92.
5. The high-voltage contact of the static eliminator with the print cartridge might
be dirty. Clean the contact.
6. The photosensitive drum, primary charging roller, or developing roller might
be damaged. Replace the print cartridge.
7. The fuser film might be scratched or dirty. Replace the fuser. See 
Fuseron page 100.
8. The high-voltage power supply might be damaged. Replace the high-voltage
power supply. See 
High-voltage power supply (HVPS) on page 121.
Lines  
A
A
A
A
AB
B
B
B
BC
C
C
C
Ca
a
a
a
ac
c
c
c
cb
b
b
b
b
1.
Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2. Clean the inside of the product and run a cleaning page to clean the fuser. See
the 
Print Quality menu on page 180 for cleaning page information, and Cleanthe product on page 254.
3. The photosensitive drum might be scratched. Replace the print cartridge.
4. The fuser-inlet guide might  be dirty. Clean the guide.
5. The fuser film might be scratched. Replace the fuser. See 
Fuser
on page 100.
Horizontal lines  
A
A
A
A
AB
B
B
B
BC
C
C
C
Ca
a
a
a
ac
c
c
c
cb
b
b
b
b
1.
The photosensitive drum might be scratched. Replace the print cartridge.
2. The fuser film might be dirty or damaged. Replace the fuser. See 
Fuseron page 100.
Table 3-9   Image defect examples (continued)
ENWW Solve image-quality problems 249 
						

							ProblemImage exampleSolution
Gray background (image
is obviously dark)  1.Do not use paper that has already been run through the product.
2. Try using a different type of paper.
3. Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
4. Turn over the paper in the tray. Also, try rotating the paper 180°.
5. Open the  CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at the product control panel. On the
PRINT QUALITY  submenu, increase the  TONER DENSITY setting. For more
information, see the product user guide.
6. Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met.
See the product user guide.
7. The print cartridge might need to be replaced.
8. The print-cartridge ground or bias contacts might be dirty. Clean the contacts.
9. Stop a print job before it is complete, and then remove the print cartridge. Open
the photosensitive drum shield, and look at the toner image on the drum.
◦If the image is not fully transferring to the page, replace the transfer roller.
See 
Transfer roller on page 92.
◦ If the toner on the drum is faint, replace the laser/scanner. See 
Laser/
scanner on page 107.
10. The high-voltage power supply might be damaged. Replace the high-voltage
power supply. See 
High-voltage power supply (HVPS) on page 121.
Toner smear 1.Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2. Try using a different type of paper.
3. Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met.
See 
Environmental specifications on page 309.
4. Clean the inside of the product and run a cleaning page to clean the fuser. See
Print Quality menu on page 180.
5. The print cartridge might need to be replaced.
Loose toner Loose toner, in this context, is defined as toner that can be rubbed off the page.
1.If paper is heavy or rough, open the CONFIGURE DEVICE  menu at the
product control panel. On the  PRINT QUALITY submenu, select  FUSER
MODES, and then select the paper type you are using. Change the setting to
HIGH1 or  HIGH2, which helps the toner fuse more completely onto the paper.
You must also set the type of paper for the tray you are using. For more
information, see the product user guide.
2. If you have observed a rougher texture on one side of your paper, try printing
on the smoother side.
3. Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met.
See 
Environmental specifications on page 309.
4. Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet
HP specifications. For more information, see the product user guide.
5. The pressure roller is dirty, the fuser film is scratched, or a foreign substance
is on the fuser film. Use the  PRINT FUSER TEST PAGE  option in the
DIAGNOSTICS  menu to test the fuser. If the error persists, replace the fuser.
See 
Fuser on page 100.
Table 3-9  Image defect examples (continued)
250 Chapter 3   Solve problems ENWW 
						

							ProblemImage exampleSolution
Repeat defects 1.Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2. Clean the inside of the product and run a cleaning page to clean the fuser. See
Print Quality menu on page 180.
3. Use the repetitive defect ruler to determine if the defect is caused by the fuser
or the print cartridge (see 
Repetitive image-defect ruler on page 173).
◦ If the print cartridge is causing the defect, run the print/stop test at the
500 msec setting. If the test shows a defect, replace the print cartridge.
See 
Print cartridge on page 52.
◦ Use the 
PRINT FUSER TEST PAGE  option in the DIAGNOSTICS  menu
to test the fuser. If the error persists, replace the fuser. See 
Fuser
on page 100 .
Repeat imageDear Mr. Abhjerhjk,
The dhjhfiuhu if teint hhkjhjnf j us a weue jd, fnk
ksneh vnk kjdfkaakd ss hsjhnckkajhdhf kashfhnduujdn.
Pkshkkhklhlkhkhyufwe4yrh9jjflkln djd skshkshdcnksnjcnal
aksnclnslskjlncsl nas lnslna, ncnsljsjscljckn nsnclknsllj
hwlsdknls nwljs nlnscl nijhsn clsncij hn. Iosi fsjs jlkh andjna this
is a hn. jns fir stie a djakjd ajjssk. Thsi ius vnvlu tyeh lch afted,
and when hghj hgjhk jdj a dt sonnleh. Suolklv jsdj hvjkrt ten sutc of jthjkfjkn vjdj hwjd, an olk d
.at fhjdjht ajshef. Sewlfl nv atug ahgjfjknvr kdkjdh sj hvjk
sjskrplo book. Camegajd sand their djnln as orged tyehha
as as hf hv of the tinhgh in the cescmdal vlala tojk. Ho sn shj
shjkh a sjca kvkjn? No ahdkj ahhtuah ahavjnv hv vh aefve r
Tehreh ahkj vaknihidh was skjsaa a dhkjfn anj
cjkhapsldnlj llhfoihrfhthej ahjkkjna oa h j a kah w asj kskjnk as
sa fjkank cakajhjkn eanjsdn qa ejhc pjtpvjlnv4purlaxnwl. Ana l, and the askeina of ahthvnasm. Sayhvjan tjhhjhr ajn ve fh k
v nja vkfkahjd a. Smakkljl a sehiah adheufh if you do klakc k
w vka ah call lthe cjakha aa d a sd fijs.
Sincerely,Mr. ScmehnjcjThis type of defect might occur when using preprinted forms or a large quantity of
narrow paper. Verify that the preprinted ink used on forms meet HP specifications
for use in laser printers.
1. Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2. Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet
HP specifications. For more information, see the product user guide.
3. Verify that the product is configured for the correct paper type.
4. Set the fuser mode to  LOW.
5. Use the  PRINT FUSER TEST PAGE  option in the DIAGNOSTICS  menu to
test the fuser. If the error persists, replace the fuser. See 
Fuser on page 100.
Misformed characters
AaBbCc AaBbCc
AaBbCc
AaBbCc
AaBbCc AaBbCc
1. Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2. Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met.
See the product user guide.
3. Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet
HP specifications. For more information, see the product user guide.
4. The laser/scanner wire connectors migh t have poor contact. Reconnect the
connectors (J12 and J3100).
5. The ECU wire connectors might have poor contact. Reconnect the connectors
(J1505 and J1702).
6. The laser/scanner might be damaged. Replace the laser/scanner. See 
Laser/scanner on page 107.
Page skew1.Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2. Verify that no torn pieces of paper are inside the product.
3. Make sure that paper is loaded correctly and that all adjustments have been
made. Make sure that the guides in the tray are not too tight or too loose against
the paper.
4. Turn over the paper in the tray. Also, try rotating the paper 180°.
5. Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet
HP specifications. For more information, see the product user guide.
6. Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met.
See 
Environmental specifications on page 309.
Table 3-9   Image defect examples (continued)
ENWW Solve image-quality problems 251 
						

							ProblemImage exampleSolution
Curl or wave 1.Turn over the paper in the tray. Also, try rotating the paper 180°.
2. Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet
HP specifications. For more information, see the product user guide.
3. Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met.
See 
Environmental specifications on page 309.
4. Try printing to a different output bin.
5. If paper is lightweight and smooth, open the  CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at
the product control panel. On the  PRINT QUALITY submenu, select  FUSER
MODES, and then select the paper type you are using. Change the setting to
LOW , which helps reduce the heat in the fusing process. You must also set
the type of paper for the tray you are using. For more information, see the
product user guide.
Wrinkles or creases 1. Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2. Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met.
See 
Environmental specifications on page 309.
3. Turn over the paper in the tray. Also, try rotating the paper 180°.
4. Make sure that paper is loaded correctly and all adjustments have been made.
For more information, see the product user guide.
5. Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet
HP specifications. See the product user guide.
6. If envelopes are creasing, try storing envelopes so that they lie flat.
7. If paper is lightweight and smooth, open the  CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at
the product control panel. On the  PRINT QUALITY submenu, select  FUSER
MODES, and then select the paper type you are using. Change the setting to
LOW , which helps reduce the heat in the fusing process. You must also set
the type of paper for the tray you are using. For more information, see the
product user guide.
Vertical white lines  1. Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2. Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet
HP specifications. For more information, see the product user guide.
3. The photosensitive drum might be scratched, or the developing roller might be
damaged. Replace the print cartridge.
4. The laser beam window might be dirty. Clean the laser beam window on the
laser/scanner.
5. The fuser inlet guide might be dirty. Clean the guide. See 
Clean the product
on page 254.
6. The fuser film might be scratched or dirty. Replace the fuser. See 
Fuseron page 100.
7. The laser/scanner might be damaged. Replace the laser/scanner. See 
Laser/scanner on page 107.
Table 3-9  Image defect examples (continued)
252 Chapter 3   Solve problems ENWW 
						

							ProblemImage exampleSolution
Horizontal white lines  1.The photosensitive drum might be scratched, or the developing roller might be
damaged. Replace the print cartridge.
2. The fuser film might be damaged. Replace the fuser. See 
Fuseron page 100.
Black page  1. The print-cartridge ground or bias contacts might be dirty. Clean the contacts.
2. The primary charging roller might be defective. Replace the print cartridge.
3. The high-voltage power supply might be damaged. Replace the high-voltage
power supply. See 
High-voltage power supply (HVPS) on page 121.
Tire tracks 
A
A
A
A
AB
B B
B
B C
C C
C
Ca
a
a
a
ac
c
c
c
cb
b
b b
b
This defect typically occurs when the print cartridge has far exceeded its estimated
life. For example, if you are printing a very large quantity of pages with very little
toner coverage.
1. The print cartridge might need to be replaced.
2. Reduce the number of pages that you print with very low toner coverage.
White spots on black or in
the image 1.Print a few more pages to see if the problem corrects itself.
2. Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet
HP specifications. For more information, see the product user guide.
3. Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met.
See the product user guide.
4. The print cartridge might need to be replaced.
5. If the transfer roller is deformed or damaged, replace the roller. See 
Transferroller on page 92.
6. The transfer roller shaft might be dirty (poor contact). Remove the transfer
roller and clean the shaft. See 
Transfer roller on page 92.
7. The high-voltage power supply might be damaged. Replace the high-voltage
power supply. See 
High-voltage power supply (HVPS) on page 121.
Scattered lines 1.Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet
HP specifications. For more information, see the product user guide.
2. Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met.
See 
Environmental specifications on page 309.
3. Turn over the paper in the tray. Also, try rotating the paper 180°.
4. Open the CONFIGURE DEVICE  menu at the product control panel. Open the
PRINT QUALITY  submenu and change the TONER DENSITY  setting. For
more information, see the product user guide.
5. Open the  CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at the product control panel. On the
PRINT QUALITY  submenu, open OPTIMIZE and set LINE DETAIL=ON . For
more information, see the product user guide.
Table 3-9   Image defect examples (continued)
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							ProblemImage exampleSolution
Blurred print 1.Make sure that the type and quality of the paper you are using meet
HP specifications. For more information, see the product user guide.
2. Make sure that the environmental specifications for the product are being met.
See 
Environmental specifications on page 309.
3. Turn over the paper in the tray. Also, try rotating the paper 180°.
4. Do not use paper that already has been run through the product.
5. Decrease the toner density. Open the CONFIGURE DEVICE  menu at the
product control panel. Open the  PRINT QUALITY submenu and change the
TONER DENSITY  setting. For more information, see the product user guide.
6. Open the  CONFIGURE DEVICE menu at the product control panel. On the
PRINT QUALITY  submenu, open OPTIMIZE and set HIGH
TRANSFER=ON . For more information, see the product user guide.
Random image
repetition If an image that appears at the top of the page (in solid black) repeats further down
the page (in a gray field), the toner might not have been completely erased from the
last job. (The repeated image might be lighter or darker than the field it appears in.)
●Change the tone (darkness) of the field that the repeated image appears in.
● Change the order in which the images are printed. For example, have the
lighter image at the top of the page, and the darker image farther down the
page.
● From your software program, rotate the whole page 180° to print the lighter
image first.
● If the defect occurs later in a print job, turn the product off for 10 minutes, and
then turn it on to restart the print job.
Clean the product
WARNING!
Do not attempt to clean the print-cartridge photosensitive drum or the product transfer
roller.
Clean the product (service visit)
Use the guidelines below to clean the product.
●Tray 1 (multipurpose tray) pickup roller and separation pad
◦Wipe with a clean lint-free cloth
● Cassette (Tray 2) pickup roller and separation pad
◦Wipe with a clean lint-free cloth
● Paper feeder (Tray 3 and Tray 4) pickup roller and separation pad
◦Wipe with a clean lint-free cloth
Table 3-9  Image defect examples (continued)
254 Chapter 3   Solve problems
ENWW 
						

							●Registration roller
◦Wipe with a clean lint-free cloth
● Transfer guide
◦Wipe with a soft, dry flannel cloth
● Media-feed guide
◦Wipe with a clean lint-free cloth
● Fuser-inlet guide
◦Wipe with a water dampened flannel cloth
Figure 3-34   Product cleaning diagram
Table 3-10  Product cleaning diagram
ItemDescriptionItemDescription
1Fuser-inlet guide7Tray 1 (multipurpose tray) pickup roller
2Media-feed guide8Tray 1 (multipurpose tray) separation pad
3Photosensitive drum (in the print cartridge)9Cassette (Tray 2) pickup roller
ENWW Clean the product 255 
						

							ItemDescriptionItemDescription
4Transfer roller10Cassette (Tray 2) separation pad
5Transfer guide11Paper feeder pickup roller (Tray 3 or Tray 4)
6Registration roller12Paper feeder separation pad (Tray 3 or Tray 4)
Table 3-10  Product cleaning diagram (continued)
256 Chapter 3   Solve problemsENWW