Black triangular smears on printouts

[JamesR77]

Hi,

I've just changed the toner cartridges on my HP LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw and I have a few issues. Firstly all my print outs have triangular smears/smudges down the side (image attached). Secondly the printer is always calibrating itself when being switched on. I assume the two are related.

I've tried various suggestions both from on here and in the printer manual. I've had this printer for around 18 months and I'm using the same paper (etc). The new toner is non-HP however it's from an alternative brand that I've used before and have decent reviews on Amazon. Does anyone have any ideas as to what the issue is?

Thanks in advance!

[Repairatrooper]

Either the cartridge is defective or your HVPS has failed. As you just installed a cartridge, 99% of the time it will be a bad cartridge. It happens, more often with 3rd party but even happens with OEM cartridges sometimes. Reinstall your old cartridge to confirm that the printer still works and if it does, contact the vendor for a warranty replacement. If they will not replace a defective product, never buy from them again.

[ALS-77]

I agree, it looks like a defective black toner cartridge. This will affect the calibration aspect and cause it to try and calibrate frequently due to the anomaly.