Lexmark MS510 Series User manual

Print Quality Guide
If the solutions here do not correct the problem, then contact customer support. You may have a printer part that requires
adjustment or replacement.
Characters have jagged or uneven edges
Action Yes No
Step 1
aPrint a font sample list to check if the fonts you are using are supported by
the printer.
1From the printer control panel, navigate to:
Menus > Reports > Print Fonts
2Select PCL Fonts or PostScript Fonts.
bResend the print job.
Are you using fonts that are supported by the printer?
Go to step 2. Select a font that is
supported by the printer.
Step 2
Check if the fonts installed on the computer are supported by the printer.
Are the fonts installed on the computer supported by the printer?
The problem is solved. Contact customer
support.
Clipped pages or images
Leading edge
Trailing edge
ABCDE
ABCDE
ABCDE
Print Quality Guide
Page 1 of 19

Action Yes No
Step 1
aMove the width and length guides in the tray to the correct positions for the
paper loaded.
bResend the print job.
Is the page or image clipped?
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Step 2
From the printer control panel, set the paper size and type in the Paper menu
to match the paper loaded in the tray.
Do the paper size and type match the paper loaded in the tray?
Go to step 3. Do one or more of the
following:
•Specify the paper size
from the tray settings
to match the paper
loaded in the tray.
•Change the paper
loaded in the tray to
match the paper size
specified in the tray
settings.
Step 3
aDepending on your operating system, specify the paper size from Printing
Preferences or from the Print dialog.
bResend the print job.
Is the page or image clipped?
Go to step 4. The problem is solved.
Step 4
aReinstall the imaging unit.
1Remove the toner cartridge.
2Remove the imaging unit.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not expose the imaging unit to direct
light for more than 10 minutes. Extended exposure to light may cause
print quality problems.
3Install the imaging unit, and then the cartridge.
bResend the print job.
Is the page or image clipped?
Contact customer
support.
The problem is solved.
Gray background on prints
ABCDE
ABCDE
ABCDE
Leading edge
Trailing edge
Print Quality Guide
Page 2 of 19

Action Yes No
Step 1
aFrom the Quality Menu on the printer control panel, decrease the toner
darkness.
Note: 8 is the factory default setting.
bResend the print job.
Did the gray background disappear from the prints?
The problem is solved. Go to step 2.
Step 2
Reinstall the imaging unit and the toner cartridge.
aRemove the toner cartridge.
bRemove the imaging unit.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not expose the imaging unit to direct
light for more than 10 minutes. Extended exposure to light can cause print
quality problems.
cInstall the imaging unit, and then the cartridge.
dResend the print job.
Did the gray background disappear from the prints?
The problem is solved. Go to step 3.
Step 3
Replace the imaging unit, and then resend the print job.
Did the gray background disappear from the prints?
The problem is solved. Contact customer
support.
Incorrect margins on prints
ABCD
ABCD
ABCD
Action Yes No
Step 1
aMove the width and length guides in the tray to the correct positions for the
paper size loaded.
bResend the print job.
Are the margins correct?
The problem is solved. Go to step 2.
Print Quality Guide
Page 3 of 19

Action Yes No
Step 2
From the printer control panel, set the paper size in the Paper menu to match
the paper loaded in the tray.
Does the paper size match the paper loaded in the tray?
Go to step 3. Do one or more of the
following:
•Specify the paper size
from the tray settings
to match the paper
loaded in the tray.
•Change the paper
loaded in the tray to
match the paper size
specified in the tray
settings.
Step 3
aDepending on your operating system, specify the paper size from Printing
Preferences or from the Print dialog.
bResend the print job.
Are the margins correct?
The problem is solved. Contact customer
support.
Paper curl
Action Yes No
Step 1
Move the width and length guides in the tray to the correct positions for the
size of the paper loaded.
Are the width and length guides positioned correctly?
Go to step 2. Adjust the width and
length guides.
Step 2
From the printer control panel, set the paper type and weight in the Paper menu
to match the paper loaded in the tray.
Do the paper type and weight match the type and weight of the paper in the
tray?
Go to step 3. Specify the paper type
and weight from the tray
settings to match the
paper loaded in the tray.
Step 3
aDepending on your operating system, specify the paper type and weight
from Printing Preferences or from the Print dialog.
bResend the print job.
Is the paper still curled?
Go to step 4. The problem is solved.
Step 4
aRemove the paper from the tray, and then turn it over.
bResend the print job.
Is the paper still curled?
Go to step 5. The problem is solved.
Print Quality Guide
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Action Yes No
Step 5
aLoad paper from a fresh package.
Note: Paper absorbs moisture due to high humidity. Store paper in its
original wrapper until you use it.
bResend the print job.
Is the paper still curled?
Contact customer
support.
The problem is solved.
Print irregularities
) )
ABCDE
ABCDE
ABCDE
Leading edge
Trailing edge
Action Yes No
Step 1
aMove the width and length guides in the tray to the correct positions for the
size of the paper loaded in the tray.
bResend the print job.
Do print irregularities still appear?
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Step 2
From the printer control panel, set the paper size and type in the Paper menu
to match the paper loaded in the tray.
Do the printer settings match the type and weight of the paper loaded in the
tray?
Go to step 3. Specify the paper size
and type from the tray
settings to match the
paper loaded in the tray.
Step 3
aDepending on your operating system, specify the paper type and weight
from Printing Preferences or from the Print dialog.
bResend the print job.
Do print irregularities still appear?
Go to step 4. The problem is solved.
Step 4
Check if the paper loaded in the tray has texture or rough finishes.
Are you printing on textured or rough paper?
From the printer control
panel, set the paper
texture in the Paper
menu to match the paper
loaded in the tray.
Go to step 5.
Print Quality Guide
Page 5 of 19

Action Yes No
Step 5
aLoad paper from a fresh package.
Note: Paper absorbs moisture due to high humidity. Store paper in its
original wrapper until you use it.
bResend the print job.
Do print irregularities still appear?
Go to step 6. The problem is solved.
Step 6
Replace the imaging unit, and then resend the print job.
Do print irregularities still appear?
Contact customer
support at
http://support.lexmark.
com or your service
representative.
The problem is solved.
Print is too dark
Action Yes No
Step 1
aFrom the Quality menu on the printer control panel, reduce the toner
darkness.
Note: 8 is the factory default setting.
bResend the print job.
Is the print still too dark?
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Step 2
aFrom the printer control panel, set the paper type, texture and weight in the
Paper menu to match the paper loaded in the tray.
bResend the print job.
Is the tray set to the type, texture, and weight of the paper loaded?
Go to step 3. Do one or more of the
following:
•Specify the paper
type, texture, and
weight from the tray
settings to match the
paper loaded in the
tray.
•Change the paper
loaded in the tray to
match the paper
type, texture and
weight specified in
the tray settings.
Print Quality Guide
Page 6 of 19

Action Yes No
Step 3
aDepending on your operating system, specify the paper type, texture and
weight from Printing Preferences or from the Print dialog.
bResend the print job.
Is the print still too dark?
Go to step 4. The problem is solved.
Step 4
Check if the paper loaded in the tray has texture or rough finishes.
Are you printing on textured or rough paper?
From the printer control
panel, change the
texture settings in the
Paper Texture menu to
match the paper you are
printing on.
Go to step 5.
Step 5
aLoad paper from a fresh package.
Note: Paper absorbs moisture due to high humidity. Store paper in its
original wrapper until you use it.
bResend the print job.
Is the print still too dark?
Go to step 6. The problem is solved.
Step 6
Replace the imaging unit, and then resend the print job.
Is the print still too dark?
Contact customer
support.
The problem is solved.
Print is too light
Action Yes No
Step 1
aFrom the Quality menu on the printer control panel, increase the toner
darkness.
Note: 8 is the factory default setting.
bResend the print job.
Is the print still too light?
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Print Quality Guide
Page 7 of 19

Action Yes No
Step 2
From the printer control panel, set the paper type, texture, and weight in the
Paper menu to match the paper loaded in the tray.
Is the tray set to the type, texture, and weight of the paper loaded?
Go to step 3. Change the paper type,
texture, and weight to
match the paper loaded
in the tray.
Step 3
aDepending on your operating system, specify the paper type, texture, and
weight from Printing Preferences or from the Print dialog.
bResend the print job.
Is the print still too light?
Go to step 4. The problem is solved.
Step 4
Make sure that the paper has no texture or rough finishes.
Are you printing on textured or rough paper?
From the printer control
panel, change the
texture settings in the
Paper Texture menu to
match the paper you are
printing on.
Go to step 5.
Step 5
aLoad paper from a fresh package.
Note: Paper absorbs moisture due to high humidity. Store paper in its
original wrapper until you use it.
bResend the print job.
Is the print still too light?
Go to step 6. The problem is solved.
Step 6
aRedistribute the toner in the imaging unit.
1Remove the toner cartridge, and then the imaging unit.
2Firmly shake the imaging unit.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not expose the imaging unit to direct
light for more than 10 minutes. Extended exposure to light may cause
print quality problems.
3Install the imaging unit, and then the cartridge.
bResend the print job.
Is the print still too light?
Go to step 7. The problem is solved.
Step 7
Replace the imaging unit, and then resend the print job.
Is the print still too light?
Contact customer
support.
The problem is solved.
Print Quality Guide
Page 8 of 19

Printer is printing blank pages
Action Yes No
Step 1
aCheck if there is packing material left on the imaging unit.
1Remove the toner cartridge, and then the imaging unit.
2Check if the packing material is properly removed from the imaging unit.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not expose the imaging unit to direct
light for more than 10 minutes. Extended exposure to light may cause
print quality problems.
3Reinstall the imaging unit, and then the cartridge.
bResend the print job.
Is the printer still printing blank pages?
Go to step 2. The problem is solved.
Step 2
aRedistribute the toner in the imaging unit.
1Remove the toner cartridge, and then the imaging unit.
2Firmly shake the imaging unit.
Warning—Potential Damage: Do not expose the imaging unit to direct
light for more than 10 minutes. Extended exposure to light may cause
print quality problems.
3Reinstall the imaging unit, and then the cartridge.
bResend the print job.
Is the printer still printing blank pages?
Go to step 3. The problem is solved.
Step 3
Replace the imaging unit, and then resend the print job.
Is the printer still printing blank pages?
Contact customer
support.
The problem is solved.
Print Quality Guide
Page 9 of 19

Repeating defects appear on prints
Action Yes No
Step 1
Measure the distance between the defects.
Check for a distance between the defects that equals:
•97 mm (3.82 in.)
•47 mm (1.85 in.)
•38 mm (1.5 in.)
Is the distance between defects equal to one of the listed measurements?
Go to step 2. 1Check if the distance
between the defects
equal to 80 mm (3.15
in.)
2Take note of the
distance, and then
contact customer
support at
http://support.lex
mark.com or your
service
representative.
Step 2
Replace the imaging unit, and then resend the print job.
Do the repeating defects still appear?
Contact customer
support at
http://support.lexmark
.com or your service
representative.
The problem is solved.
Shadow images appear on prints
ABCD
ABCD
ABCD
ABCD
Leading edge
Trailing edge
Print Quality Guide
Page 10 of 19