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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- Hp colour laser MFP 178nw

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04-17-2024 07:21 AM
My printer smudges all my printing images so that the original image is repeated again in the bottom quarter of the page as a shadow as shown below in this supplies information print. All the consumables look in range and you can see from the print count, the printer has not received a lot of use. I have followed instructions on cleaning and resetting the printer which may yield one good printed page before it reverts back to print quality as shown below. Any help is very much appreciated.
04-19-2024 08:56 AM
Hi @Casey_4,
Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
It sounds like you're experiencing a frustrating issue with your printer. Smudging and repeating images can be indicative of several possible problems. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try.
- Check Toner Levels: Ensure that all toner cartridges have sufficient toner. Low toner levels can sometimes cause smudging or poor print quality.
- Inspect Drum and Fuser: The drum and fuser units may be dirty or damaged. Inspect them for any signs of wear or debris buildup. If necessary, clean them according to the printer's manual.
- Check Paper Quality: Low-quality or incompatible paper can sometimes cause smudging issues. Make sure you're using the correct type and quality of paper recommended for your printer.
- Calibrate Printer: Most printers have a calibration or alignment process that can help improve print quality. Check your printer's manual for instructions on how to calibrate it.
- Update Printer Firmware: Sometimes, firmware updates can address printing issues. Check if there are any updates available for your printer and install them if necessary.
- Reset Printer Settings: Try resetting the printer to its factory default settings. This can sometimes resolve software-related issues that affect print quality.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!
Alden4
HP Support
HP Support Community Moderator