M281cdw calibrating frequently, and form printing is off

[JVickers]

M281cdw just started calibrating frequently, and form printing which was perfect when we first started using is off randomly during printing - "x"s not in the boxes, in the lines.  We thought maybe running a factory reset would solve the problem, but after some reading on the forums I see that we have to have a master password etc.  I need help fast as we are wasting forms to figure this out.  They only print in black so not sure why the printer is calibrating so much either.

[sandytechy20]

@JVickers

Welcome to HP Support community.

Print a cleaning page

1. From the Home screen on the printer control panel, swipe left, and then touch Setup.

2. Touch Service, and then touch Cleaning Page.

3. Load plain, white paper when you are prompted.

4. Touch OK to begin the cleaning process.

5. Try to print again to see if the issue is resolved.

Inspect the toner cartridges

1. Open the front door.

   Figure : Opening the front door

   

2. Grasp the blue handle on the toner cartridge drawer, and then pull out the drawer.

   Figure : Pulling out the toner cartridge drawer

   

3. Grasp the handle on the toner cartridge, and then pull the toner cartridge straight up to remove it.

   Figure : Removing the toner cartridge

   

4. Examine the memory chip for damage.

   Figure : Location of the memory chip

   

   • If the memory chip is damaged, refer to the previous steps in this document to replace the toner cartridge.

   • If the memory chip is not damaged, continue with these steps.

5. Examine the surface of the imaging drum.

      CAUTION: 

   Do not touch the imaging drum. Fingerprints on the imaging drum can cause print quality problems.

   Figure : Location of the imaging drum

   

   • If you see any scratches, fingerprints, or other damage on the imaging drum, refer to the previous steps in this document to replace the toner cartridge.

   • If the imaging drum is not damaged, continue with these steps.

6. Insert the toner cartridge into the drawer. Make sure that the color chip on the cartridge matches the color chip on the drawer.

   Figure : Inserting the toner cartridge into the printer

   

7. Repeat these steps for the other toner cartridges.

8. Push the toner cartridge drawer into the printer.

   Figure : Pushing the toner cartridge drawer into the printer

   

9. Close the front door.

   Figure : Closing the toner cartridge drawer

   

You can refer this HP document for more assistance:- Click here

I hope that helps.

To thank me for my efforts to help you, please mark my post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.

[JVickers]

This made no different to our printing issues.  The print cleaning was unremarkable, the toner cartridges, memory chips, and imaging drum were in perfect condition.  It doesn't explain why the form printing is out of alignment randomly when it was running perfectly.  The machine was just purchased this year.  I can send you a scanned image to show you how it becomes unaligned.

[sandytechy20]

@JVickers

Update the printer firmware

Refer the steps mentioned in this HP document:- Click here

I hope that helps.

To thank me for my efforts to help you, please mark my post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others .

Cheers.

[JVickers]

We did this last week.  No correction.  Can I send you an image of the problem?

[sandytechy20]

@JVickers

This seems to be a hardware issue.

I request you to talk to HP support.

They might have multiple options to help you with this.

1. Click on this link - https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp?openCLC=true
2. Select the country.
3. Enter the serial of your device.
4. Select the country from the drop-down.
5. Click on "Show Options".
6. Fill the web-form. A case number and phone number will now populate for you.

Cheers.