Seven things to check when prints look blurry
- Clean the scanner glass: black lines on copies often come from dirt on the glass of a multifunction printer. Switch off and unplug the printer, spray glass cleaner onto a lint free cloth (not directly onto the glass), wipe gently and let it dry before plugging the printer back in.
- Check ink or toner levels: if prints fade from one side of the page to the other, the cartridge may be running low. Check the levels and replace the cartridge if needed.
- Use higher resolution images: if text looks sharp but pictures look blurry, the image file may be low resolution. Use images of at least 300 dpi for printing.
- Choose suitable paper: heavily textured or thick paper can cause toner to flake or ink to smudge. Check your printer manual for the paper types and weights it supports.
- Keep the room at a steady temperature and humidity: high humidity can make paper curl and ink smear. A room temperature of about 20 to 22 °C and humidity of 30 to 50% relative humidity generally works well.
- Update your printer driver: if the printer produces garbled text or symbols, the driver may be outdated, incorrect or damaged. Download the latest driver for your model from the printer manufacturer's website.
- Check for a leaking toner cartridge: loose toner on your pages can mean the toner cartridge is leaking. Remove it carefully and wipe away loose toner with a dry cloth. Do not use a household vacuum, as toner can damage it. If a lot of toner has spilled inside the printer, a toner vacuum or a printer technician can help. Then fit a new cartridge.
If the problem continues
Some print quality problems come from parts inside the printer, such as the print head, fuser, drum or rollers. Printers contain sensitive electronics, so if these checks do not help, contact a printer repair technician or your managed print services provider.
If you need help finding the right cartridge for your printer, you can send your printer model to support@maxiprint.co.za.
