22 Basic troubleshooting ENWW
Basic troubleshooting
If you cannot determine the cause of your print defects by using information from the
troubleshooting checklist, try the following procedures:
1 Inspect the print media for obvious defects, such as torn sheets, contamination from
glue, or ragged cut edges.
1 Use print media from another lot or from a different manufacturer.
2 Turn the paper stack over in the input tray, or turn it 180° in the tray. Do both, if
necessary.
3 If you have a print-quality problem that is related to envelopes, print a sheet of paper
to determine if the problem is caused by the variable thickness of your envelope.
• If the print quality of the single-sheet sample is good, re-examine your envelope
and see “Envelope construction” on page 11 for more information.
• If the print quality of the single-sheet sample is poor, you might have a printer
problem. See the support documentation for your printer to see further
troubleshooting information.
4 Read the remainder of this troubleshooting section for further troubleshooting
information, perform the maintenance procedures that are recommended in your
printer user guide, or see the troubleshooting section in your printer user guide.
Types of print media to avoid
The following characteristics can affect the performance of your HP LaserJet printer
unless the paper or other print media you are using is specifically designed to work with
your HP LaserJet printer:
● Print media, media coatings, dyes, or inks that contain materials that melt, vaporize,
offset, discolor, or release undesirable emissions when exposed to 205° C (401 ° F)
for 0.1 second (0.2 second for HP color LaserJet printers).
● Print media that is very rough, highly textured, or heavily embossed.
● Multipart forms.
● Print media that offsets or discolors.
● Print media that is damaged, curled, wrinkled, or irregularly shaped.
● Print media that has not been stored or shipped properly. (See “Shipping media” on
page 19 and “Storing media” on page 19.)
● Overhead transparency film that produces undesirable emissions or melts when
exposed to a fusing temperature of 205° C (401° F) for 0.1 second (0.4 second for
HP color LaserJet printers).
● Envelopes that have encapsulated adhesives that do not require moistening but
instead use pressure for sealing.
● Envelopes that have clasps, snaps, tie strings, windows, or synthetic materials. These
materials can severely damage the printer.
● Envelopes that are not square, straight, or constructed correctly. (See “Envelope
construction” on page 11.)
● Envelopes of a basis weight less than 60 g/m
2
(16 lb) or greater than 105 g/m
2
(28 lb).
● Envelopes that have baggy construction or folds that are not sharply creased.