color laser jet Pro M252dw is printing smears on first page of a job.

[RustyWill]

My color laser jet Pro M252dw is printing smears on first page of a job. I have replaced the toner.  It has not helped.

The Print Test page prints fine.  I've run the cleaning page cycle.  Nothing changes.  I don't know how to manually clean any of the components.

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @RustyWill,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

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

I understand you are facing an issue with your HP Color LaserJet Pro M252dw is smearing only the first page of a print job, but the Print Test Page prints fine, here are some possible causes and solutions:

Possible Causes:

1. Fuser Unit Issue: If the fuser isn’t fully heated at the start of a job, toner might not properly adhere to the paper, causing smearing.
2. Toner Residue or Drum Contamination: Even with new toner, some old toner residue could be left inside.
3. Paper Issues: Moist or incompatible paper can affect toner adherence.
4. Transfer Belt or Rollers: If the first page has buildup on the transfer belt or rollers, it may cause smearing that fades on later pages.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Check the Fuser Unit

• Print a "Stop Test" Page to check if the smearing happens before or after fusing:
  • Print a document and open the printer door mid-way through printing (before the page exits).
  • If the page comes out with smears but the toner wipes off easily, the fuser is faulty and may need replacement.
  • If the toner is properly fused, the issue lies elsewhere.

2. Run Additional Cleaning Cycles

• Since you've already run a cleaning cycle, try multiple cycles (2-3 times) to clear any residual toner.

3. Check the Transfer Belt and Rollers

• Open the printer and inspect the paper path, rollers, and transfer belt.
• Look for any visible toner buildup and gently wipe it with a lint-free cloth.
• If you're comfortable doing so, clean the rollers using isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) and a lint-free cloth.

4. Use Different Paper

• Try using a fresh ream of high-quality laser printer paper.
• Avoid using damp or textured paper, as this can cause smearing.

5. Reseat the Toner Cartridges

• Remove all toner cartridges and gently shake them side to side to evenly distribute toner.
• Reinsert them carefully.

6. Check Print Settings

• Ensure you’re using the correct paper type setting:
  • On your computer, go to Printer Preferences → Paper Type and set it to match your actual paper (e.g., Plain Paper or Laser Paper).
• If you’re printing PDFs, try selecting "Print as Image" in Adobe Reader under Advanced settings.

7. Firmware Update

• If your printer firmware is outdated, it might not be handling toner distribution properly.
• Download and install the latest firmware from HP’s support website. Update the firmware on an HP printer

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!

[RustyWill]

Running more cleaning cycles seems to have cleared up the problem.  I would not be comfortable trying to do any sort of hardware maintenance, but I do appreciate the recommendations.

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @RustyWill,

Thank you for your response, I appreciate your efforts. As the issue persists, I am sorry to hear that I'm sending out a private message to assist you with the next course of action. 

Please check your Private -icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link.

I hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.

Please click “Accept as 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!