A client calls to report that the documents from their high-volume laser printer have started showing faded print on the right side, while the left side is printing normally. The printer was recently serviced and had its toner replaced. Before considering a hardware replacement, which of the following should be investigated FIRST to address the faded print issue?
Reinstall the printer drivers.
Refill the toner cartridge.
Inspect the toner cartridge for proper installation and potential defects.
Clean the inkjet nozzles.
Perform another round of regular printer maintenance.
When a laser printer starts producing faded prints on only one side of the page, it often suggests an issue with the toner distribution inside the toner cartridge or a problem with the cartridge itself, such as a damaged photosensitive drum or worn wiper blade, especially if the cartridge is new. Because the cartridge was recently replaced, it's important to inspect it for defects or improper installation before looking into more serious hardware issues. If the toner itself were low, the fading would typically be uniform across the entire page, not just on one side, and regular maintenance would have already ruled out minor issues. A malfunctioning fuser unit would generally result in toner not adhering to the page fully, appearing smudged, or potentially leading to complete print loss. Clogged nozzles would not be an issue in a laser printer, as this is a problem specific to inkjet printers.
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What should I look for when inspecting the toner cartridge for proper installation?
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How can I determine if the toner cartridge itself is defective?
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What other symptoms can indicate a problem with the printer beyond faded prints?