hp laserjet pro mfp m281cdw prints too faintly

[Lifer007]

My HP Laserjet Pro MFP M281cdw printer just began to print very faintly, then it got a black streak down the side.  I was able to clean that using the Setup Menu, but it is still printing so faintly, I can barely read the printout.  It shows that I still have plenty of toner.  I haven't made any changes to the printer or to my computer for it to do this.  I have bolded everything I can find to bold but it doesn't make any difference.  I tilted each of the toner cartridges (black and all colors) from side to side and replaced them but it had no effect.  How can I make it print darker?  This all begas e

[sandytechy20]

@Lifer007

Welcome to the HP support community.

I understand that you are getting print quality issues, I am glad to assist you.

Print a cleaning page

The printing mechanism and printing path inside the printer might need to be cleaned to resolve issues like repeating dots, fuzzy print, or smeared toner.

1. From the Home screen on the printer control panel, swipe left, and then touch Setup.

2. Touch Service, and then touch Cleaning Page.

3. Load plain, white paper when you are prompted.

4. Touch OK to begin the cleaning process.

5. Try to print again to see if the issue is resolved,

Inspect the toner cartridges

Examine the toner cartridge imaging drums and memory chips for damage.

1. Open the front door.

   Figure : Opening the front door

   

2. Grasp the blue handle on the toner cartridge drawer, and then pull out the drawer.

   Figure : Pulling out the toner cartridge drawer

   

3. Grasp the handle on the toner cartridge, and then pull the toner cartridge straight up to remove it.

   Figure : Removing the toner cartridge

   

4. Examine the memory chip for damage.

   Figure : Location of the memory chip

   

   • If the memory chip is damaged, refer to the previous steps in this document to replace the toner cartridge.

   • If the memory chip is not damaged, continue with these steps.

5. Examine the surface of the imaging drum.

      CAUTION: 

   Do not touch the imaging drum. Fingerprints on the imaging drum can cause print quality problems.

   Figure : Location of the imaging drum

   

   • If you see any scratches, fingerprints, or other damage on the imaging drum, refer to the previous steps in this document to replace the toner cartridge.

   • If the imaging drum is not damaged, continue with these steps.

6. Insert the toner cartridge into the drawer. Make sure that the color chip on the cartridge matches the color chip on the drawer.

   Figure : Inserting the toner cartridge into the printer

   

7. Repeat these steps for the other toner cartridges.

8. Push the toner cartridge drawer into the printer.

   Figure : Pushing the toner cartridge drawer into the printer

   

9. Close the front door.

   Figure : Closing the toner cartridge drawer

   

Here is the HP document for your future reference:- Click here

Keep me posted.

To thank me for my efforts to help you, please mark my post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.