{"id":2244,"date":"2026-08-21T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jurotar.fi\/blog\/?p=2244"},"modified":"2026-08-21T13:52:56","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T12:52:56","slug":"befriend-your-printer-colour-error-image-quality-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jurotar.fi\/blog\/index.php\/2026\/08\/21\/befriend-your-printer-colour-error-image-quality-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Befriend your printer – colour error & image quality problems"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Printer claims to be out of colour after just installing new cartridges? Prints have a smear or blank parts in them? This post is a walk-through of the most common colour and print quality-related problems with troubleshooting suggestions. Hope this helps!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IMAGE QUALITY PROBLEMS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Streaking, banding and blank pages<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Check if ink is running low and if the printheads have been recently replaced. If new printheads have been installed see if the protective tape is removed before the installation<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there should be ink and printer has been unused for a long time<\/strong> perform \u201cprinthead cleaning\u201d program or try to print multiple pages in a row. Sometimes that is enough to get printheads working again if they haven\u2019t dried completely clogged. If the trick doesn\u2019t work you might have to get new printheads for the machine to work properly.
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Faded, washed out, blurry prints and colour inaccuracy<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Check the supply levels, draft mode settings and that the print is not from a low-resolution source (under 300 DPI). Try if a problem repeats on a different image from different file\/source. Also note that printed colours won\u2019t necessarily match the monitor if there is conflicting RGB\/CMYK colour profile in use or uncalibrated display.
If the problem is not with the settings or the image file not being intended for print printer drums might be worn out or printheads misaligned.<\/strong> Inkjet printers usually have a \u201cprinthead calibration\u201d option available so it\u2019s worth checking.
Is there a re-occurring pattern of colour missing or excess spots regularly on print<\/em><\/strong>? This kind of problem might be caused by the worn-out drum. Many manufacturers have included \u201cdiagnostic print\u201d on the printer UI and by comparing the gap between repeating colour problem to the print you can figure what part needs changing.
SMUDGING AND SMEARED INK<\/strong> If in remains wet or rubs off from the print you might be using wrong paper type or heavy ink saturation.<\/mark>
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Dirt in print<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Try checking print cartridges, glass surfaces of the device and try \u201cPrinthead cleaning\u201d program. (Or try printing multiple pages in a row.) You can also try wiping paper feed rollers carefully with lint-free cloth.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen I was actively performing repair service this was probably one of the most overlooked place to look the dirt from.<\/em> And sometimes there was a hair stuck on the scanner part facing the glass surface too. \ud83d\ude00<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Low or no colour -errors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Have you just changed ink cartridges but the machine claims there is no colour?<\/em> If the printer is stuck on no colour error even after reboot it can be that the new cartridge is from another manufacturer than the printer, a firmware problem or dirt on the ink cartridge.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThere is alternative ink options available – just note that they are not guaranteed to work with the different brand.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
For example HP printers check if the cartridge used is from HP and some printer models won\u2019t have their own error code for the situation. And the warranty only covers that manufacturers printer works with their intended supplies for the purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If ink supplies come from the same brand and rebooting won\u2019t get rid of the error? Or error popped up without any supply changes?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take the ink cartridge out of the machine, look for the electronic chip surface (looks a bit like SIM -card) and wipe it clean with lint-free cloth. Then re-seat the cartridge. You can also try re-booting device again. If the printer is still stuck on error screen it\u2019s time for a firmware update. You can find the firmware update instructions from the printer manufacturer\u2019s website by looking with the serial or model info. Or the warranty pack info if you\u2019re looking at company property \u2013 some service\u00a0 agreements may cover firmware updates too. If firmware is up-to-date and device is still not working the printer will be repaired with basic warranty too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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