Way too dark print on color laserjet M281fdw

[Dottie8]

I too have a brand new HP Laserjet M281 fdw and am having the same problem with it printing way too dark.  Is there no adjustment that a person can make between normal and Economode?  Economode is too light (with lines through it) and normal is way too dark!

[sandytechy20]

@Dottie8

Welcome to HP forums, I see that you are getting print quality issues on the printer.

• Which operating system is installed on the computer to which this printer is connected?

Meanwhile:

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 to this HP document for more assistance:- Click here

Let me know how it goes.

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

Cheers.

[Dottie8]

You obviously didn't even read my post.  This is a brand new printer.  I am looking for some way to adjust the color as factory default is WAY too dark and ecomode has lines through it!  Isn't there some sort of adjustment that can be made so that I don't use tons of toner?

[sandytechy20]

@Dottie8

Thanks for the reply.

I appreciate your time and effort.

I understood the issue better now.

You can adjust print quality settings.

1. In the software application you are trying to print from, click File, and then click Print.

   The Print window opens.

2. Open the Properties dialog box.

   Depending on the software program, the button might be Properties, Options, Printer Setup, Printer, or Preferences.

3. Depending on your print job, you might consider modifying the following settings:

   • Paper Type: Select the appropriate type of paper, such as photo paper, plain paper, or labels.

   • Print Quality: Increase the print quality from Normal or Draft mode to Best.

4. After changing the print settings, click OK to apply the settings, and then click Print.

Let me know if 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.