Fixing Streaks, Faded Prints, Smudges and Blank Pages

01Key takeaway

Faded printing, streaks and blank pages usually come from one of four things: a setting such as draft mode or the wrong paper type, a low or empty supply, clogged inkjet nozzles, or a laser toner cartridge that needs attention. Check settings and supply levels first, then use the printer’s own diagnostic and cleaning tools. If quality doesn’t improve after a couple of cleaning cycles, stop and contact the manufacturer rather than cleaning repeatedly.

02Terms used in this guide

• Nozzle check: a test pattern an inkjet prints to show whether all its nozzles are firing.
• Printhead cleaning: a built-in inkjet routine that pushes ink through the nozzles to clear blockages. It uses some ink.
• Alignment: a routine that lines up the printhead so colors and lines meet correctly.
• Print quality report (diagnostic page): a test page many printers can produce to help identify problems.
• Drum: the part of a laser printer that carries the toner image; on many printers it is part of the toner cartridge.

03Match the symptom to the likely cause

04Check settings, paper and supplies first

1. Check quality and color settings. In the print dialog, make sure draft, economy or toner save modes are off, and that grayscale isn’t selected if you want color. Our guide to print settings shows where to look.
2. Match the paper type. The paper type setting should match what is loaded. Using a photo setting on plain paper, or plain on photo paper, can cause smudges or dull prints.
3. Try fresh paper. Damp, curled or very cheap paper can cause smudging and feathering. Use a new sheet from a sealed pack.
4. Check supply levels. Look on the printer’s screen, its app or its web page. Replace anything empty or very low; see replacing ink and toner safely.
5. Check newly installed supplies. If problems started right after replacing a cartridge, remove it and check for protective tape, then reinsert it firmly.

Did that fix it? If yes, you’re done. If not, use the printer’s built-in tools.

05Use the printer’s own tools

Inkjet and ink tank printers

1. Print a nozzle check pattern from the printer’s maintenance or tools menu, or from the manufacturer’s app or driver software. Names vary by model.
2. Look at the pattern. Gaps or missing lines mean some nozzles are blocked.
3. Run one printhead cleaning cycle, then print another nozzle check.
4. Repeat once if needed. If the pattern is still incomplete, let the printer rest for several hours or overnight (many manufacturers suggest this), then check again before cleaning more.
5. Run alignment if lines look jagged or colors don’t line up.

Don’t run cleaning cycles over and over: each one uses ink and fills the maintenance box faster. Some printers offer a stronger cleaning routine; use it only as the manual describes.

Laser printers

1. Print a print quality or diagnostic page if your printer offers one; the manual explains what it shows.
2. Turn the printer off and let it cool before opening it. The fuser can be very hot.
3. Remove the toner cartridge as the manual shows and gently rock it side to side if the manual recommends it, to spread the toner evenly.
4. Reinsert it and print another test page.
5. Clean only what the manual describes. Some models have a corona wire cleaner or a cleaning routine in the menu; use it exactly as shown.

Repeating streaks at the same place on every page often point to the drum or toner cartridge. Replace the cartridge or drum if the manual or diagnostic page indicates it.

06Blank pages specifically

• New cartridge? Check that all protective tape is removed.
• Empty supply? Some printers continue to accept jobs even when a color or black supply is empty.
• Wrong printer? Make sure the job went to the printer you expected, not a virtual printer such as a PDF printer.
• Document problem? Try printing a test page from the printer itself; if that prints, the issue is the document or app.

If the printer’s own test page is blank, and supplies are fine and correctly installed, contact the manufacturer.

07When to get more help

Stop and contact the manufacturer’s support if quality doesn’t improve after two or three cleaning cycles with rest in between, if ink leaks inside the printer, if a laser prints toner that smears off after the fuser, if you hear grinding, or if the printer reports a printhead or fuser error. Don’t open the printer beyond the covers in the manual or try to clean internal parts by hand. Have the model, serial number and a scan or photo of the problem page ready. For routine prevention, see our printer maintenance routine.

08Common questions

Why does my inkjet print faded after sitting unused?

Ink can dry in the nozzles. Print a nozzle check, run one cleaning cycle, and print regularly afterwards.

Can third-party ink cause streaks?

It can, as can any faulty supply. If problems started after changing supplies, try another cartridge or a genuine one to compare.

How many cleaning cycles should I run?

Usually one or two, checking the nozzle pattern between them. Running many in a row wastes ink without helping.

Why do laser prints smudge when I rub them?

The toner may not be fusing properly, often because the paper type setting doesn’t match the paper. If correcting the setting doesn’t help, contact the manufacturer.