LaserJet Pro M254dw printing light - no color depth

[tiddytwista]

Hi everybody, first time poster looking for some help with my LaserJet M254dw. Recently is has started printing very light. Colors are there, but just barely, and most of the time black text is gray text. Some things do appear to print okay, like the macOS or Windows test pages (I think) , but if I print a color test from the web (Using Firefox on my Mac), a photo from my iPhone, or a color logo from Photoshop the colors look washed out. I have included the original color test photo I used and a photo of the print out. This occurs on the factory HP carts or aftermarket carts.

I have so far:

1. Replaced all 4 toner carts

2. Ran a clean

3. Ran an alignment

4. Factory reset the system from the web UI

5. Uninstalled and reinstalled the printer on macOS 11 and Windows 10

Firmware datecode is: 20200612. I cannot update past this version as the newest firmware bricks my printer unless I use genuine HP carts, and that's honestly unacceptable of HP.

None of these have brought me any luck. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Maybe older firmware? Maybe a hard reset? Give it the Office Space treatment in my yard?

[Repairatrooper]

If some things print fine, then it is unlikely an issue with the printer and more likely a program or driver issue. Also make sure that the power source is good, plugged into the wall. Any surge protectors can cause print defects due to power starvation.

[tiddytwista]

I don’t think it’s driver related, or if it is it’s suddenly widespread across all my devices. I have light colored prints coming from my phone, macOS, and Windows systems. These all used to print fine and I haven’t updated (and frankly can’t update) the drivers as there aren’t any drivers available on the HP website for macOS 11 or Windows 10. Even printing the print quality test from the web UI of the printer itself prints out light. I’ll attach a photo of that one shortly. The printer is plugged directly into the wall outlet with no surge protector or UPS inline. 

[tiddytwista]

Here is a "Print Quality" report printed directly from the web UI of the printer. As you can see the colors are barely there and it's very washed out; the magenta being the worst of the bunch. This is the same behavior I saw on the previous carts as well as these new ones. Any help would be appreciated.

[JessikaV]

Hi, 

Fix poor print quality on HP Color LaserJet Pro M254 printers

Check paper, print settings, and quality of the file being printed

Make sure you are using the correct paper for your print job, and change the print settings to improve print quality.

1. Check paper quality. The quality and type of paper can affect the print job. Make sure the paper you are using is appropriate for your printer and print job.

   • Use paper designed for HP LaserJet printers. Do not use paper designed only for inkjet printers.

   • Do not use paper that is too rough. Smoother paper might result in better print quality.

2. Check paper orientation. For some print jobs, such as printing photos, make sure you load the paper correctly to print on the smoother or glossy side (print side). Load paper into the front load tray with the print side facing up.

3. Check print settings. In the program you want to print from, click File, and then click Print to open a print window. Select your printer, and then click Properties, Options, Printer Setup, Printer, Preferences, Media & Quality, or Paper/Quality to open the settings menu. Depending on your printer consider changing the following print 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 to Best. If you see an EconoMode option, remove the selection from the check box.

   • Paper Size: Select the correct paper size for your print job.

4. Check photo or document quality. Use high resolution photos and files.

   JessikaV
   HP Support Community Administrator