Indentation Marks on print/copy jobs

[paynekj]

Hi, just started having an issue. Whenever i print, I am getting small indentation marks on the left side of my print jobs. There are 3 of them, starting about 2.5 inches from the top of the paper and then occuring about every 3 inches. it messes up whatever ink is printed in that area and then also adds a small ink mark on places without ink. Doesn't matter what type of paper or weight of paper. Doesn't matter what print job or if its from the copier. I've attached a cleaning page that I printed earlier and it shows some of what i am talking about. Any ideas on what is causing this and how to fix it? I haven't changed any settings, using the same HP paper I always have. 

[davidzuts]

I would think this is a toner cartridge issue since 2.95 inche defect is the photostatic drum which is part of the toner cartridge. Since you have 4 toners I would send a solid color page for each color to see if possible to determine which toner. Also you can confirm by placing a sheet of paper on the side manual tray 1 feeder and perform a self test. When the back edge of the paper enters the printer, quickly open the side door to stop the printing. Remove the paper and look at the image that has not been fused. If the defect is present it is one of the toners causing the issue and I would guess the black toner first.

[paynekj]

How do you print a solid page for each color?  I don't see an option for this anywhere in the settings for this particular printer. 

[davidzuts]

Just use a program like or paint.  Also if the marks on the page are actually causing the paper to sort of indent towards the back of the sheet where it is raised in that spot, then the fuser is your most likely issue. If just an area of mssing toner or deformed toner, then it would be the toner cartridge. Try the half test first since if the defect is not present that will tell us it is the fuser.

[paynekj]

I haven't done anything yet, but it does leave an indentation on those spots regardless of it having ink in that area or if that part of the page is blank. It only leaves the toner messed up if there is something supposed to be printed in that area. 

[paynekj]

I decided to pull out the fuser and inspect it. Looks like I found the issue (on the right).