horizontal colored lines on printed pages

[rkarwoski]

I am using a Color LaserJet Pro MFP M277dw.  I have multicolored horizontal lines across printed pages.  I have run the cleaning page several times.  I have inspected the cartridges and shook them.  I will get a test page that looks ok, but the next test page will have the lines again.  I replaced the cyan cartridge last month, had no issues,  but now the magenta is very low.  After seeing the lines, I replaced the magenta, but still am having issues.  The colors print fine on the document, but there are additional horizontal colored lines across the page that seem to be the same distance from each other.  I don't know where else I could look to clean any residue.  The lines are straight, so it doesn't appear to be stuck toner transferring onto the page.

[Meghana_10]

Hello @rkarwoski, Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for the detailed description. Since the lines also appear on the printer's own test pages, this is not likely related to the computer or print driver. The fact that the lines are straight, evenly spaced, and appear intermittently also points more toward the printer's imaging/transfer path than the document itself.
 

Please try one useful check:
 

Print a Supplies Status Page and a Print Quality/Diagnostic Page directly from the printer. Compare the pages and note whether the same horizontal lines appear on both.
 

Also check the inside of the printer for any loose toner or residue around the paper path/transfer area, but do not touch or clean the imaging drums with a cloth or liquid. HP specifically warns not to touch the imaging drum on the toner cartridges.
 

If the lines continue to appear on printer-generated test pages with good toner cartridges, the issue may be with an internal imaging/transfer component and may require service. We recommends service if the print-quality problem persists after the cartridge and cleaning checks. 
 

If possible, attach a photo of one of the affected test pages showing the horizontal lines. The spacing and which colors appear in the lines can help narrow down which part of the printer is producing the defect.
 

Have a great day!

[rkarwoski]

I have attached pictures of the latest printed pages.  One is the supplies status page, one is the print quality page, and one is a poster on brochure paper (print settings to reflect heavy weight at 150g).  

[rkarwoski]

I can print in black and white with no issues; there are no lines.

Could this be a faulty color cartridge?  The cyan has been in for about a month with no issues until the other day. The magenta is new the day these issues started, installed after I started having issues.

[rkarwoski]

So maybe black and white is not entirely ok.  Attached are two posters I printed (from Word) and set one to print in grayscale and one to print in black and white.  The grayscale one still had a few colored lines, while the black and white one had black and grey lines toward the top.

[Meghana_10]

Thank you for your response @rkarwoski 

Since the lines are appearing on printer-generated pages as well as normal documents, this points to a print-engine/cartridge-related issue rather than the computer or Word settings.
 

One cartridge check is worth doing before considering service:
 

• Remove the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black cartridges one at a time.
• Inspect the green imaging drum on each cartridge for scratches, marks, fingerprints, or other damage. Do not touch the imaging drum.
• Reinstall each cartridge and print another Print Quality Page.
• Pay particular attention to whether the horizontal lines consistently contain one specific color.

Because your lines appear in multiple colors and can also show in black-and-white printing, if all four cartridges look normal and the lines continue on the printer's own diagnostic pages, I would suspect an internal print-engine component rather than simply the new magenta cartridge. At that point, service would be the appropriate next step.

Have a great day!