White Vertical Lines when Printing

[Jakob19]

I am experiencing an issue with my printer. It prints white lines from the bottom to the top of the page, primarily in the center. Additionally, there are occasional disruptions, such as short black lines scattered sporadically. Could this indicate a problem with the drum? Printer: HP Neverstop Laser MFP 1200w.

[Raj_05 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Jakob19,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

The issue you're experiencing with white vertical lines and sporadic black lines on your HP Neverstop Laser MFP 1200w could be related to a few potential causes, including the drum or other parts of the printer's print system. Here are some common causes and troubleshooting steps.

Toner Cartridge or Drum Issues:

• The white lines you're seeing could be caused by a toner cartridge or drum that has an obstruction, buildup, or is nearing the end of its lifespan.
• Check the toner cartridge: Remove the toner cartridge and inspect it for any signs of damage, leaks, or buildup of toner. You can gently shake it to redistribute the toner inside, which might help if it's unevenly distributed.
• Inspect the drum: The drum (part of the toner cartridge or separate) could have damage, wear, or toner buildup. If there is visible damage or you notice a lot of toner residue, it may need to be cleaned or replaced.

Cleaning the Printer:

• Clean the drum: If the drum is accessible (sometimes part of the toner cartridge), gently clean it with a soft, lint-free cloth. Be careful not to scratch the surface.
• Clean the rollers: Dirty rollers can cause smudging or improper toner transfer, which could result in lines. You can clean the rollers with a soft cloth lightly dampened with water.

Print Quality Settings:

• Check the print quality settings in the printer menu. If you're using draft mode or low-quality settings, try switching to higher-quality settings to see if that improves the print quality.

Fuser Assembly:

• The fuser (responsible for bonding the toner to the paper) could be causing the issue, especially if it's not heating properly or is malfunctioning. If the fuser is faulty, it may cause intermittent lines or smudging. However, this is less common in the issue you described.

Test with a Different Toner:

• If the problem persists after cleaning, try using a new toner cartridge. Sometimes, a defective or poorly manufactured toner can cause irregularities like this.

If after trying these steps the issue continues, it may indeed indicate a problem with the drum or other critical components of the printer.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support 

[Jakob19]

Alden4,

Thank you for your insightful response. I truly appreciate your assistance. After carefully inspecting all the printer components and thoroughly cleaning them—including the drum—I believe the issue most likely lies with the drum itself.

My printer does not use toner cartridges, as it is a refillable model (toner reload kit). Although there are no visible signs of damage, the drum is now four years old. Considering the relatively infrequent use of the printer (approximately 4,000–5,000 pages out of its 20,000-page capacity), this limited usage pattern may have contributed to the drum's malfunction. The fact that the printer has not been used consistently—sometimes sitting idle for weeks or even months—could further exacerbate the issue.

I have ordered a replacement drum from a trusted reseller and am hopeful this will resolve the problem. Once again, I sincerely appreciate your time and the thoughtful suggestions you provided.

Kind regards, Jakob19