My HP Laser MFP 178NW is giving very blurry printouts.

[Crazymon55]

My Laserjet MFP 178NW is not a very old printer and status shows all ink types are sufficient. I must say that I only take printouts occasionally. I have once tried shaking all the cartridges but print quality has not improved. Kindly guide me. Is there a service center I can take the printer to ?

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @Crazymon55,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

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

I understand you are getting a blurry printouts on your HP Laser MFP 178NW can be caused by several factors, including toner settling, moisture buildup, or issues with the fuser. Since you print occasionally, the toner might not be distributing evenly, or some internal components may need cleaning.

Steps to Fix Blurry Printouts

1. Check the Paper Quality

• Use high-quality, laser-compatible paper.
• Ensure the paper is stored in a dry place to prevent moisture absorption.

2. Print a Supplies Status Page

• On your printer, go to Menu > System Setup > Reports > Supplies Status Page.
• Check if any toner cartridges show low or faulty levels.

3. Clean the Inside of the Printer

• Turn off the printer and unplug it.
• Open the front cover and remove the toner cartridges.
• Use a clean, dry, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the inside.
• If you see any toner buildup on the rollers, gently clean it.

4. Perform a Toner Re-distribution

Since you already shook the cartridges once, try removing each toner cartridge and rotating it gently side to side to distribute the toner more evenly.

5. Adjust Print Settings

• On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners > Select Your Printer.
• Click on Options & Supplies > Print Settings and ensure:
  • Print resolution is set to the highest (600 dpi or 1200 dpi).
  • Toner Save Mode is OFF.
  • If available, try enabling "Edge Enhancement".

6. Run a Print Quality Diagnostic Test

• Print a Print Quality Report from the printer's menu.
• Check if there are any consistent patterns of blurring or fading.

7. Check the Fuser Unit

• If the fuser is worn out, prints may appear blurry or smudged.
• If you recently printed on thick paper, the fuser might not be properly fixing the toner.
• You can try printing a few blank pages to clear excess toner.

Refer to this document: Resolving color print quality problems

HP Color Laser 178, 179 Printers - Print quality issues
 

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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