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HP Customer Support

Troubleshooting Copy Quality Problems

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Issue

When you copy a document or photo, the quality of the output is not as expected, or the output is difficult to read. For instance, the printout might be too light or too dark, have streaks, unwanted lines, black dots, poor print quality, or unclear text.
Try these few simple steps first:
  • Use the flatbed scanner rather than the document feeder.
  • Use high-quality originals.
  • When using the document feeder, load the original document into the feeder correctly, using the paper guides, to avoid unclear or skewed images.
If the problem still exists, try the following solutions. If they do not fix the problem, review solutions for print quality issues for further solutions.

Solution one: Check the scanner glass for dirt or smudges

Follow these steps if the printout has streaks, unwanted lines, black dots, poor print quality, or unclear text.
  1. Press the Power button ( ) to turn the product off, and then unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
  2. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the product.
    Figure 1: Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the product
    Illustration: Disconnecting the power cord from the back of the product.
  3. Moisten a soft cloth or sponge with nonabrasive glass cleaner. Gently wipe the glass and the white plastic backing on the underside of the scanner lid.
    Figure 2: Scanner glass and white plastic backing
    Illustration showing the scanner glass and the underside of the scanner lid.
  4. To prevent spotting, dry the glass and white plastic with a clean, dry, link-free cloth or cellulose sponge.
  5. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the product, and then press the Power button ( ) to turn on the product.
    CAUTION:Do not use abrasives, acetone, benzene, ammonia, ethyl alcohol, or carbon tetrachloride on any part of the product; these can damage the product. Do not place liquids directly on the glass. They might seep under it and damage the product.
  6. Try copying again.
  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists , continue to the next solution.

Solution two: Check the paper settings

Use the following steps to check the paper type.
  1. On the product control panel, press the Setup button ( ).
  2. Press the Down Arrow button ( ) to highlight System Setup , and then press OK .
  3. Press the Down Arrow button ( ) to highlight Paper Setup , and then press OK .
  4. Press the Down Arrow button ( ) to highlight Def. Paper Type , and then press OK .
  5. Use the arrow buttons to select a paper type, and then press OK .
    • If you are using special paper , such as glossy , select the appropriate paper type.
    • If you are using light paper , select a lighter weight paper type.
    • If you are using heavier paper , select a heavier weight paper type.
    • If the printout is curled or wavy , select a lighter weight paper type.
    • If the printout has areas of fuzzy or dark print, toner specks or loose toner, select a heavier weight paper type.
  6. Try copying again.
  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists , continue to the next solution.

Solution three: Check the image adjustment settings

Adjust these additional settings to improve copy quality.

Check the contrast

  1. On the product’s control panel, press the Lighter/Darker button ( ).
  2. Use the arrow buttons to increase or decrease the Lighter/Darker setting, and then press OK .
  3. Try copying again.

Check the Draft Mode setting

  1. On the product’s control panel, press the Copy Menu button ( ).
  2. Use the arrow buttons to select the Draft Mode menu, and then press OK .
  3. Use the arrow buttons to select Off , and then press OK .
  4. Try copying again.
  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists , continue to the next solution.

Solution four: Optimize for text or pictures

Optimize the copy job for text, graphics or photos.
  1. On the product’s control panel, press the Copy Menu button ( ).
  2. Use the arrow buttons to highlight Optimize , and then press OK .
  3. Use the arrow buttons to select a copy-quality option, and then press OK .
    The following copy-quality options are available:
    • Auto: Use this setting when you are not concerned about the quality of the copy. This is the default setting.
    • Mixed: Use this setting for documents that contain a mixture of text and graphics.
    • Picture: Use this setting to copy non-photographic graphics.
    • Film Photo: Use this setting to copy photographs.
    • Text: Use this setting for documents that contain mostly text.
  4. Try copying again.
  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists , continue to the next solution.

Solution five: Resolve edge-to-edge copying

The product cannot print fully edge-to-edge. Consider these options for copying documents with cropped edges:
  • When the original is smaller than the output size, move the original away from the corner indicated by the icon on the scanner. Recopy in this position.
  • When the original is the size of the desired output, reduce the image so the copy is not cropped.
  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists , continue to the next solution.

Solution six: Clean the pick-up rollers and separation pad in the automatic document feeder (ADF)

Follow these steps if the printout has toner smudges or skewed print.
  1. Press the Power button ( ) to turn the product off, and then unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
  2. Open the ADF cover.
    Figure 3: Open the ADF cover
    Illustration: Lift the ADF cover up to open it
  3. Wipe the rollers and the separation pad with a clean, water-dampened, lint-free cloth. Rotate the rollers to clean.
    CAUTION:Do not pour water directly onto the product. Doing so might damage the product.
    Figure 4: Clean the rollers and the separation pad
    Illustration: Location of the rollers and the separation pad under the ADF cover
  4. Close the ADF cover.
    Figure 5: Close the ADF cover
    Illustration: Lower the ADF cover to close it
  5. Try copying again.
If these solutions did not fix the problem, review solutions for print quality issues for more solutions.