only vertical lines when scanning; problem disappears (for some time) when restrarting printer

[erwinCl]

Hello,

We have a few Laserjet M276nw color printers.  

Since some time, one of them produces a pattern of vertical lines when scanning.

Same problem when copying (local printer function), so apparently the printer itself having troubles.

After power-off/on, the scanning functions normally again, for some time.  But the problem returns.

Updated the firmware for this one to the latest version recently.    Problem occurs since then (or coincidence).

Is this a known issue ?   

Can the firmware be rolled back ?

Since the scanning is OK for some time (half a day or maybe a day) after restarting the printer, nothing to do with debris on the scanner or some other external cause.

Erwin

[John_Getzke]

> Since some time, one of them produces a pattern of vertical lines when scanning.

Vertical lines while scanning is normally due to light seeping in as the pages are fed through the ADF.  Try giving your scanning glass, rollers and ADF a cleaning to resolve the problem.

> Same problem when copying (local printer function), so apparently the printer itself having troubles.

Does it matter if you are doing a color or a monochrome scan/copy?  If so that could suggest a flaw in the scanner itself.

> Updated the firmware for this one to the latest version recently.    Problem occurs since then (or coincidence).

I would tend to think this is a coincidence.  Phyiscal defects are not normally the result of a firmware/software update.  Since the problem occurs from copying that pretty much limits the scope to hardware issues.

Another thought would be to check with HP on any remaining warranty.  If supported they may be able to send you a new scanning assembly to rule out a hardware defect.  If you happen to have a spare M267 lying around you could swap the scanner assemblies and see if the problem follows the hardware around or not too.

[erwinCl]

Hello,

Thanks for the advice.

Don't think it's light getting in probably, since there's nothing or not much visible from the scanned page.  Just the lines.

Here's an example of a scan.    So, after power-off/on, the printer is scanning fine again (for some time...).

[John_Getzke]

It takes a while for HP to approve attachments.  I'll check back in 24 hours.

In the meantime if you wanted to check in with HP on your remaining warranty support that wouldnt hurt.  Any hardware defects with the scanner would need a physical part replacement anyways.  Its likely HP would send you a new scanner assembly or an entire printer as a replacement if covered.

> So, after power-off/on, the printer is scanning fine again (for some time...).

I can't explain that one.  Normally when there is a physical defect the problem is consistent no matter how long the machine has been powered on.  Whenever we see verticle lines from scans that a cleaning does not fix it usually ends up with some kind of part swap to resolve. 

[erwinCl]

Printer is purchased end of 2014, so warranty expired.

We have a few of them, so I could indeed swap the scanner assembly to verify.

Since it disappears, I was indeed thinking of software/firmware issue.

No way to get the previous firmware somewhere?    A rollback is not built-in probably?

 The issue also occurs both with the flatbed or the ADF.   Same result, until rebooting the printer.

[davidfoster7575]

I'm having the exact same issue. Vertical lines, just like the photo you posted, appear on paper when copying and printing, and also when I use software to scan to my computer.

Hopefully someone here has a fix.

[John_Getzke]

I noticed some discussions on another thread that may be helpful:

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/LaserJet-Printing/LaserJet-Pro-200-color-MFP-M276nw-only-vertical-lines...

"First, make sure the printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet and not a surge protector."

"If you open up the lid of your copier you will obviously see the large piece of glass. Certainly this needs to be cleaned. But How many of you have noticed the smaller piece of glass above the large one? looking at it with the naked eye it looks clean, but I took a soft rag, put a little water on it (water only) and wiped it clean. To my amazement the rag has a blue tone to it. I scanned an document and the blue vertical lines dissappeared. Easy fix everyone."

This still isnt consistent with the OPs testimony about rebooting the printer to resolve the problem though.  A reboot should not impact scan quality or results if there is a physical defect somewhere in the hardware.  The only way I know a reboot could clear a hardware problem would be if there was a power issue somewhere in the machine.  In that case shutting it down may reset the problem for a while until the printer retriggers the problem.

[John_Getzke]

Some assistance on how to clean the ADF and Flatbed scanner for anyone interested:

http://h20565.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?sp4ts.oid=433418&docId=emr_na-c04038806&docLocale=...