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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- Repeating ink mark ever 2.2 cm on the edge of the page after...

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06-24-2024 12:18 PM
Two days ago I changed my printing cartridge and now I have a ink mark every 2.2 cm down the side of the page. I think the roller in the cartridge could be damaged. How can I get it replace or is there an easy fix?
Solved! Go to Solution.
Accepted Solutions
06-28-2024 01:41 AM
Hi @Jim0035 ,
Kindly find the next set of steps below.
Steps to Clean the Drum and Fuser
Turn off the Printer:
- Ensure the printer is turned off and unplugged from the power source.
Remove the Toner Cartridge:
- Open the printer and carefully remove the toner cartridge.
Inspect and Clean the Drum:
- Look for any visible toner build-up or damage on the drum unit.
- Use a lint-free cloth to gently clean the drum surface. Avoid touching the drum with your fingers.
Inspect and Clean the Fuser Unit:
- Check the fuser unit for any visible toner build-up or damage.
- Clean the fuser rollers with a lint-free cloth. Be careful as the fuser unit can be hot if the printer was recently used.
Reassemble the Printer:
- Reinsert the toner cartridge and close the printer.
Perform a Test Print:
- Turn on the printer and perform a test print to see if the issue is resolved.
Additional Steps
Firmware Update:
- Ensure that your printer’s firmware is up to date. Sometimes firmware updates can resolve printing issues.
HP Support:
- If the issue persists after trying the above steps, consider reaching out to HP Phone
- Support for further assistance. There might be a more complex issue that requires servicing.
Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.
Nal_NR-Moderator
I am an HP Employee
06-26-2024 07:16 AM
Hi @Jim0035,
Welcome to the HP Support Community.
I'd be happy to help you!
To be able to answer you effectively, we need some information.
Kindly share the image of the issue you are referring to.
May I have the exact product name and number? Refer to this document for steps to find the product details. Do not share any of your personal information such as serial, phone number, email ID, etc.
Nal_NR-Moderator
I am an HP Employee
06-28-2024 01:40 AM
Hi @Jim0035,
Thank you appreciate it. As I look into the issue, it looks like a hardware.
However, Kindly check the steps below and see if you have performed any of these.
Repeating ink marks on the edge of the page every 2.2 cm can be indicative of a few potential issues, especially after changing the cartridge in your HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw. Here are some steps to diagnose and resolve the issue:
Possible Causes and Solutions
Contaminated or Defective Cartridge:
- The new cartridge might be contaminated or defective.
- Solution: Remove the cartridge and check for any visible contamination or damage. Clean the cartridge with a lint-free cloth if necessary. If the issue persists, try using a different cartridge to see if the problem is resolved.
Drum Unit Issue:
- The drum unit could have a defect or contamination causing the repetitive marks.
- Solution: Check the drum unit for any visible damage or toner build-up. Clean the drum unit gently with a lint-free cloth. If the drum unit is damaged, it may need to be replaced.
Fuser Unit Issue:
- The fuser unit could be causing the repeated marks.
- Solution: Inspect the fuser unit for any visible damage or contamination. Cleaning the fuser unit might help, but if the fuser is damaged, it will need to be replaced.
Transfer Belt Issue:
- The transfer belt might be causing the marks.
- Solution: Inspect the transfer belt for any visible damage or contamination. Clean it if necessary. If the transfer belt is damaged, replacement may be required.
Paper Path Contamination:
- There could be toner or debris on the paper path causing the marks.
- Solution: Clean the entire paper path, including rollers and guides, with a lint-free cloth.
Kindly find the next set of steps in the next post.
Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.
Nal_NR-Moderator
I am an HP Employee
06-28-2024 01:41 AM
Hi @Jim0035 ,
Kindly find the next set of steps below.
Steps to Clean the Drum and Fuser
Turn off the Printer:
- Ensure the printer is turned off and unplugged from the power source.
Remove the Toner Cartridge:
- Open the printer and carefully remove the toner cartridge.
Inspect and Clean the Drum:
- Look for any visible toner build-up or damage on the drum unit.
- Use a lint-free cloth to gently clean the drum surface. Avoid touching the drum with your fingers.
Inspect and Clean the Fuser Unit:
- Check the fuser unit for any visible toner build-up or damage.
- Clean the fuser rollers with a lint-free cloth. Be careful as the fuser unit can be hot if the printer was recently used.
Reassemble the Printer:
- Reinsert the toner cartridge and close the printer.
Perform a Test Print:
- Turn on the printer and perform a test print to see if the issue is resolved.
Additional Steps
Firmware Update:
- Ensure that your printer’s firmware is up to date. Sometimes firmware updates can resolve printing issues.
HP Support:
- If the issue persists after trying the above steps, consider reaching out to HP Phone
- Support for further assistance. There might be a more complex issue that requires servicing.
Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.
Nal_NR-Moderator
I am an HP Employee
06-28-2024 07:28 AM
I saw all the troubleshooting suggestions sent. I needed to have this resolved quickly, so I replaced the cyan cartridge with a new one and all the blue marks went away. Clearly the cyan cartridge I have is defective. Will HP replace the defective cartridge? These cartridges are VERY expensive and I feel a replacement is in order.
BTW - If I print in B&W, no blue marks are on the page, only when printing with color. All color printing is good now that it's replaced.
06-28-2024 10:42 AM
Hi @Jim0035,
If you wish to return the faulty cartridge, I recommend you contact phone support for more details
For that to happen, we will give you additional instructions/information via Private Message.
Please check your inbox on the forums page for the private message.
Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.
Nal_NR-Moderator
I am an HP Employee