Random color dots

[drizlek]

I keep having issues of small red and blue dots that print vertically from the top of a 8.5 X 11 page.  I have reinstalled the drivers and made sure everything was updated, tried different file types (PDF and PNG), run calibrations, run test pages, checked the ink drums and EVERYTHING seems to be working correctly.

So how do I fix this issue? 

[MysteriousMe]

@drizlek,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

Check for Ink Splatter or Contaminated Printhead (Inkjet Printers)

Since the dots are red and blue, it could be a cyan or magenta ink leak.

1. Run a nozzle check or print quality test (found in printer settings).
2. Manually clean the printhead:
   • Remove the ink cartridges and gently wipe the printhead with a lint-free cloth dampened with distilled water.
   • Let it dry completely before reinserting.
3. Run a deep printhead cleaning cycle from your printer’s settings.

Inspect and Clean the Drum Unit (Laser Printers)

If your printer uses toner cartridges and a separate drum unit, dots usually indicate a drum issue.

1. Take out the toner cartridge and drum.
2. Gently clean the drum with a dry, lint-free cloth or isopropyl alcohol.
3. Look for scratches or excess toner buildup—if the drum is damaged, it may need replacement.

Print a Test Page in Black & White

• If the issue only happens in color → it's likely an issue with the cyan/magenta ink or toner.
• If dots appear in black & white mode too → the problem may be with the drum or rollers.

Check Paper Type & Humidity

• Ensure you are using the correct paper type (check printer settings).
• High humidity can cause ink to bleed slightly, creating ghosting or dot patterns.

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!

Asfiya03

HP Support

[drizlek]

I have gone through all the suggested tools and cleaned everything.  Now, oddly enough (I don't know if this is a consistent outcome or a one time thing), but with regular white paper the dots still show up, but on heavier card stock they do not.

And no, I only am printing in black and white at the time, no color.

[Garp_senchau]

@drizlek, Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you so much for posting your query! My colleague is currently out, but don't worry—I’ll be taking over and making sure we get this sorted for you.

I’m here to help, and together, we’ll work through this!

Printing small red and blue dots vertically on the page can be a sign of a few potential issues. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

Inspect the Toner Cartridges:

• Remove the toner cartridges and check for any visible damage or toner leaks.
• Look for scratches or damage on the imaging drum's surface.
• Verify the memory chip and remove any sealing tape if present.

Print the Supplies Status Page:

• Check the supplies status page for the estimated percentage of cartridge life remaining, approximate pages remaining, part numbers for HP toner cartridges, and number of pages printed.

Print Cleaning Page:

• Helps remove excess toner and dust from the paper path.

Print the Print Quality Page:

• From the Home screen on the product control panel, touch the Setup button.
• Touch the Reports button.
• Touch the Print Quality Page button.

Adjust Color Settings in the Printer Driver:

• On the File menu in the software program, click Print.
• Click Properties or Preferences.
• Click the Color tab.
• Select a color theme from the Color Themes drop-down list.
• Change the Color option settings manually to adjust the color themes and ensure grayscale printing is selected for black and white prints.

Check the paper type setting.

• Use different paper if the printing is too light, toner is smearing, or printed characters seem misaligned.
• Ensure that the paper type you are using is selected correctly on the printer settings.

Detailed Manual:

Find the detailed instructions and procedures on the HP LaserJet Pro 200 Color M251n and M251nw - Troubleshooting Print Quality Issues.

I truly hope these steps help get things back on track. If you have any questions or need any further clarification, just let me know – I’m happy to guide you through it and make sure everything works perfectly.

Take care, and I hope you have an amazing day ahead! 😊

Problem solved? 🎉 That’s fantastic! If you could mark this as the Accepted Solution, it would help others find their way here faster. And if you found this helpful, a simple ‘yes’ would mean a lot – it makes my day and gives this reply a little street cred! 🏅

Regards,