LaserJet M477 prints some lines in italics and vertical lines that should be straight are wavy

[KevinTX]

Hi Mzvigna,

Sorry to hear that you are having the same issue that droms and I have encountered.  I thought it might be helpful to update you and this thread on the experience I've had with HP Support.  They have been very supportive but we are still fixing this issue.  Let me recap:

• After exchanging a second time for a third unit, the unit I have now had no "wavy" vertical line issues in the color black, although there were still issues with Cyan and Magenta.  Yellow is such a light color on white paper that it's really hard to tell.
• HP Support sent me replacement toner cartidges for Cyan and Magenta.  Now Magenta is printing very straight and crisp, but unfortunately the replacement Cyan cartridge still has the "wavy" line issue.
• Tomorrow I'll be notifying HP Support that the new Cyan cartridge did not fix the "wavy" line issue with printing in that color.

I'm no expert, but it seems to me that, if this were a mechanical issue with the printer itself, the wavy line issue would affect all colors equally.  That suggests to me there is either a design issue or manufacturing quality control issue with the toner cartridges for the M477, or perhaps with the M477's slide out tray that holds the toner cartridges.  This is not what I would expect from a company with HP's longevity and reputation.

I'm hanging in there with the M477, believing that HP will get this straigtened out, because I really like everything else about the M477.  If at least black were not printing straight, I might have looked for an alternative as you suggest.

If you choose to stick with the M477, be sure to get on the phone with HP Support.  They are very helpful.  Replacement toner cartridges "seem" to be fixing the problem for me, but the logistics of getting the replacement cartridges from them has been a bit slow.  But working through them is better than going to the store and buying four new toner cartridges that, together, would cost about as much as the printer itself.

Best of luck,

Kevin

[droms]

This is a bit off topic now, but here is how I solved the problem.

I returned the second device and bought PageWide 477DW. So far I'm really happy with it. Even though it doesn't have print quality of a laser printer, it is very good. Print speed is fantastic, and it has a 550 sheets paper tray that makes me even more happy.

I did consider contacting support to get a new set of cartriges, but then I though… even if new set could have been good, when one of the cartriges becomes emptry in few months - what if a replacement will have the same issue? I really hate to waste time on support and warranty because I need a printer for work. I'd like my computer, printer and all other diveces to wait for me and not the other way around.

I did like the M477 though. I hope you'll get your LaserJets fixed soon.

[MarkHewitt]

I had an identical problem with the M377 Model which used the same toner. The replacement printer also has the identical fault.  HP support will replace and refund, but refused to provide a replacement cartridge as they have not have an official directive that their is a problem with the toner, despite referencing this forum and the advise from their engineer. 

Now 30 days in, and have had to arrange 5 days off work for delivery/pickup and I am still without a working printer. Overall very disapointed with HP, a simple quality control process of printing the information page before shipping would have identified all the fault oulined here.  I am now seekign a refund and an alternative product. 

I would advise everyone to avoid the HP M477 and M377 printers ranges. 

[Martines]

Hi there,

I bought the M477 printer yesterday and also have the problems with the black and magenta vertical waves each 31.5 mm  (1.25 inch).

E.g. also this thread mentions the problem is caused by faulty toner/s, so why is HP not willing to replace bad toners instead of the whole product replacement, which does not help too much (as posted above)? I feel to be disappointed too 😞

[mbarbic]

Hi there,

I am having the exact same issue as described. My problem is re-producable for all Microsoft Office documents printed - i.e. word documents with lines are wavy and are exactly the same pattern when printing multiple copies. Same with MS Excel documents when printing gridlines.

However I noticed when I print a PDF document the lines are perfectly straight - always.

Could it simply be a software / firmware issue on the printer?

[Liu_Leo]

HI there, I would suggest you reach to HP cusotmer directly to get this cartridge examined and replaced. it is not a software or Firmware issue but identified to be a cartridge defect and shall be guarantteed for cartridge replacement under valid warrranty; for the same issue after cartridge replaced, HP support shall go through there channel to elevate to proper staff to get it checked with furhter action . sorry for the inconvienece.

[KevinTX]

Hi mbarbic,

From my experience, this is definitely an issue with defective toner cartridges.  It took a while and numerous replacements sent by HP, but my M477 is now working beautifully.  I couldn't be more satisfied with how the M477 is working now, and I hope that satisfaction lasts well beyond having to replace the toner cartidges the next time.  It appears to me that HP has suffered a serious toner cartridge manufacturing quality control issue.  I hope they get it fixed, as retailers are not going to be very patient with having to return three cartridges per color to find one that works correctly.

My advice to you, mbarbic, is to get in contact with HP Support as soon as you can.  I would expect they'll be quicker to diagnose and remedy your situation given that they've seen it before from me and, I presume, others too.

Best of luck,

Kevin

[Olli2]

We had the same problems with 2 of 5 Printers. For the first time a technician from HP visited our company. After changing a part and checked ist again, he said that its a problem of the cartridges. So i changed the cartridges of a proper working printer to a non proper working one. The error has been transferred with the cartridges! So far so good. Unfortunately, replacement cartridges are often affected by this error again. Seems to be a problem of the Printer (Motor,Gear) with some Cartridges...

[alpha007]

hello,

my device is HP m477fdw and its NEW.

i have same problem with vertical wavy lines.

I did exchange my unit at the retailer for a replacement.  The replacement too has the wavy line issue

retailer dont accept again for 3-4-5... exchange.

GREAT COMPANY AND DEAR HP, YOU DONT WANT TO SOLVE THIS OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH NEW FIRMWARE?

SOLVE THIS WORLD ISSUE WITH UPDATE PLEASE

device: m477fdw and completely new

firmware: latest version

[KevinTX]

Hi alpha007,
I can understand your frustration, but I highly recommend you review the previous posts in this thread. I had the same problem you are having, and my experience suggests that the problem is not with the printer unit itself, or its firmware. The problem is with one or more of the toner cartridges. My gut instinct is that there are still poor quality cartridges in the "channel". You should test which cartridges are exhibiting the problem (cyan, magenta, yellow or black) and contact HP support for replacements. They've seen this problem before, so your issue will not be new to them. They sent me several replacements, and it solved my problem (although one of the replacements they sent me was also defective). Anyway, my printer works great now, and I have no complaints. BTW, I also I just replaced the black toner cartridge with a cartridge I purchased at Office Depot, and it works great, too. I suspect one of HP's cartridge manufacturing lines had a quality control issue for a period of time, and those defective cartridges are still being cleaned out of inventory. Though, to my knowledge, HP hasn't acknowledged this publicly. Do yourself a favor, contact HP support ASAP. They will get you fixed up.

Best of luck,

Kevin