Cannot clean CP1518ni printer - Using Mac OS 10.7.4

[reader951]

I have a 1581ni color laserjet printer. I am using a MacBookPro running 10.7.4 (current version). I am getting a solid pale yellow streak on the right side of any document in the right margin. Most printing is black and white. I am using HP toner (and always have). Color toner cartiges have been installed about 4 months and according to the printer screen have about 1/3 left for color and nearly full for black (black 1 month old). Print is crisp and clear otherwise. 

I have attempted to follow all the troubleshooting guidance but I cannot find any way to do a cleaning using the existing printer utility. I did update the firmware but that does not seem to have helped.

A possibly related issue is the print rubs off easily on business cards.

How do I clean the printer?

Thank you for  your attention.

[PrintDoc]

Open System Preferences > Print & Scan.  Click once on your printer, then click Options & Supplies, then Show Printer Webpage.

Navigate to the Settings tab, then Service on the left side, then click the Start button in the center of the screen.

[reader951]

Thank you for your response.

I had already tried the Open System Preferences -> Print & Scan -> Printer (1518) -> Options and Supplies.

However the only 3 choices I have across the top are General, Driver, Supply levels. No where do I see "Show Printer Webpage"

How do I get the "Show Printer Webpage"?

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

Just to add, you may also clean the device using its front panel as following:

1. Press OK to open the menus.
2. Press the right arrow till Service Menu appears on the screen, then click OK.
3. Press the right arrow till Cleaning Mode appears on the screen, then click OK.
4. After selecting this option, load plain paper in tray 1, and then press OK to start the cleaning process. Wait until the process is complete. Discard the page that prints.

And to verify, is the printer connected via the network? the Show Printer Web Page button will not appear for a USB connected device.

Hope it helps,

Shlomi

[reader951]

Thank you for your response. I apologize that I did not respond earlier as I was traveling.

My printer is hooked up via USB so that answers why I never saw the clean option.

I followed your directions and the printer ran the cleaning cycle. Except for a series of bars at the bottom of the page (looked like maybe heat  or pressure - slight grayish discoloration with no obvious color) nothing else appeared to print on the page. The printer did say cleaning and did appear (noise wise) to be doing something. I then printed a two page document which had signifcant color in it. The yellow streak appeared to be gone.

However I then printed a multipage black and white document and the yellow bar on the right side has returned.

1. Is the cleaning cycle different if it is thru the network? 

2. Should I run the cycle again (in other printers in the past there has always been color on the cleaning sheet - but those were always inkjets and not laser)

3. Should I replace the yellow toner cartridge?

4. Other recommendations?

Thank you for your assistance.

[reader951]

The problem is continuing. I did try another clean cycle with no better results.

Please I need to be able to print clean documents. If it was only me reading them it would be an annoyance (as well as wasting toner). But I need to send letters and other professional documents.

Thank you for your attention.