Ghosting and smearing after toner change

[Tosse1]

I recently changed my black and yellow toner cartridges with what I believe are original new cartridges. The issue I'm phasing is that all prints now have a grey smearing effect at the bottom, sometimes there's also ghosting where parts of the print is repeated with low quality.

Is this a toner issue? Or what could be wrong?

The issue is varying a lot, sometimes there's just a small grey thing at the edge, sometimes the page is completely useless.

I have attached an example, the supplies info page.

[Raj_05]

Hi @Tosse1,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

Experiencing ghosting and smearing issues after changing the toner cartridge in your Color Laser MFP 178 can be frustrating, but there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem. Ghosting refers to faint images or text from a previous page appearing on the current page, while smearing refers to distorted or blurry print quality. Here's a guide to help you address these issues.

• Check Toner Cartridge Installation: Ensure that the toner cartridge has been installed correctly. Make sure you've removed all protective seals and tapes from the new cartridge. Verify that the cartridge is securely seated in its proper slot.
• Run Cleaning and Maintenance Procedures: Most printers, including laser printers, have built-in cleaning and maintenance procedures that can help alleviate print quality issues. Consult your printer's manual to find out how to access and run these procedures.
• Check Drum Unit: The drum unit is an integral part of the laser printing process. If the drum is damaged or worn out, it can cause smearing and ghosting issues. Check the drum unit for any signs of damage or wear. Some printers have a separate drum unit from the toner cartridge; make sure it's clean and in good condition.
• Inspect Fuser Unit: The fuser unit is responsible for fixing the toner onto the paper. If the fuser is not functioning properly, it can cause smearing issues. Check for any signs of damage or malfunction in the fuser unit.
• Check for Excess Toner: Sometimes, excess toner can accumulate inside the printer, leading to smearing and ghosting. Gently clean the interior of the printer, especially around the toner cartridge area, to remove any loose toner.
• Use High-Quality Paper: The type and quality of paper can impact print quality. Ensure you're using the recommended paper type for your printer, and avoid using damaged or low-quality paper.
• Update Firmware and Drivers: Outdated firmware and drivers can contribute to printing issues. Check the manufacturer's website for any available updates for your printer model.
• Check Printer Settings: Make sure that your printer settings are appropriate for the type of document you're printing. Using incorrect settings might result in poor print quality.
• Inspect Toner Cartridge: If the new toner cartridge is defective, it can lead to poor print quality. Try using another toner cartridge to see if the issue persists.

I hope this helps. 
 

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4
HP Support