new HP Laserjet 12A cartidge prints poorly

[jeff1235p]

I have a HP Laserjet 1018 printer.

My old HP 12A cartridge (purchased in 2023) was getting low on toner.

I ordered a new HP 12A cartridge from Amazon but the print was to light to read properly.

I returned it to Amazon and got a replacement HP 12 A  cartridge, but again the print was too light.

If I substitute back my old HP 12A cartridge the print is dark and clear again.

Why are all the new cartridges giving me poor print quality?

[Garp_senchau]

@jeff1235p, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

That’s really frustrating! 😕 Since your old HP 12A cartridge prints dark and clear, but the new ones print too light, the issue is most likely with the cartridges themselves rather than your HP LaserJet printer. Here are some possible reasons and solutions:

Low-Quality or Defective Cartridges

Even if the new cartridges are labeled as genuine HP, there’s a chance they could be old stock (toner can degrade over time) or poorly stored (exposed to heat/humidity).

Check for authenticity: Look for HP’s security label on the box and verify it on HP’s official website.

Cartridge Settling Issue

Toner inside the new cartridges might be unevenly distributed from shipping/storage.

Remove the cartridge, hold it with both hands, and gently rock it side to side (5-6 times) to redistribute the toner.

Sealing Strip Not Fully Removed

Remove the cartridge and double-check that the strip is not partially stuck inside.

If both replacements had the same issue, they may be from the same faulty batch or an unauthorized supplier.

Try purchasing from HP’s official store.

Also, you may refer to this guide: HP LaserJet 1018, 1020 Printers - Fixing Poor Print Quality | HP® Support

I hope these steps help resolve the issue

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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Regards,