Problems with Color LaserJet Pro MFP M182nw

[TikiMom]

I have had the printer for two years now.  It has not been the best.  Tends to drop of the Wi-Fi whenever I have been away from the computer for more than 30 minutes, it took forever for it to talk to Word and agree that printing in color is ok, and it tends to get too hot to print in color more than 3-4 pages at a time as the color toner gets everywhere and leaves smears and ghost prints on every page.    I spent $430 to print black ink in groups of 3 with 15 minute break in between those groups.  Now, I have replaced the yellow cartridge with a genuine HP replacement and I am getting yellow triangles down the right side of each page even when printing in black.  Have printed the Cleaning Page three times now and the yellow triangles are still bright.  

One other big issue:  I finally looked back on the the description and it said it had automatic double sided printing but I have to turn the page over manually per instructions on the display. What is the deal with that?  

I know I have waited too long to complain and get any assistance from HP but is there any tips and tricks that can help me now?

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @TikiMom ,

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 MFP M182nw. Let's break down the problems and explore possible solutions or workarounds.
 

1. Wi-Fi Connectivity Drops:

Wi-Fi drops after a period of inactivity are common, especially with printers that go into sleep or power-saving mode. You can try the following:

• Disable Sleep Mode: Access the printer’s settings via the HP Smart app or printer web interface and reduce or disable sleep mode to maintain the Wi-Fi connection longer.
• Assign a Static IP Address: If the printer's IP address changes periodically, assigning a static IP could help maintain a stable connection. You can do this through your router's settings or the printer's network settings.

2. Printing in Color Issues (Toner Smearing and Overheating):

This is a significant problem, and the overheating might be causing the toner to improperly fuse to the paper, leading to smearing and ghost prints. Possible actions:

• Check the Fuser Unit: The fuser may not be working correctly if it overheats too quickly. If it's malfunctioning, it may require replacement.
• Clean the Inside of the Printer: Over time, excess toner can build up and lead to smears. Ensure the printer is fully powered off and cool before cleaning the interior with a dry cloth.
• Try Lowering Print Quality: Lower the print quality settings to "draft" or "normal" in the print dialog to reduce the strain on the toner and fuser unit, especially for high-volume color printing.

3. Yellow Triangles Down the Right Side:

Since this issue appeared after replacing the yellow toner cartridge, it could be related to:

• Improper Toner Installation: Remove and reseat the yellow toner cartridge to ensure it is seated correctly.
• Print a Diagnostics Page: Use the printer's menu to print a diagnostics page (under Tools or Reports) and check if the yellow streak appears on test patterns. This will help identify if it's a cartridge issue or something more internal like a drum problem.
• Check the Drum: The yellow streaks could also be caused by damage to the drum or improper toner distribution. Inspect the imaging drum for any defects.
• Reset the Printer: Try a factory reset, which can sometimes resolve print-quality issues caused by configuration problems.

4. Automatic Duplex (Double-Sided) Printing:

Unfortunately, the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M182nw does not support automatic duplex printing—it only supports manual duplex printing, which requires you to turn the page manually, as you’ve experienced. The product page may have been misleading, or it could have referred to the manual duplex feature without clearly stating so.

5. General Tips for the Printer:

• Firmware Update: Ensure your printer's firmware is up-to-date. Sometimes firmware updates fix connectivity and print quality issues.
• Reset to Factory Settings: If things have progressively worsened over time, a factory reset might clear out any misconfigurations or glitches.
• Use Only Genuine HP Toner: It sounds like you've already replaced the yellow toner with a genuine HP one, but using official toner for all colors may help prevent further toner-related issues.

Refer to this document: HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M182nw user manual 

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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