5-2 Phaser 8400/8500/8550 Color Printer
Print-Quality Problems Overview
Print-quality defects can be attributed to printer components, consumables, media,
internal software, external software applications, and environmental conditions. To
successfully troubleshoot print-quality problems, as many variables as possible must
be eliminated. The first step is to generate prints using printable pages embedded in
the printer on paper from the approved media list. The paper should be from an
unopened ream that has been acclimated to room temperature.
See the approved media list from, "Xerox Supplies" on page 9-16 for media that has
been tested and approved for use in this printer. If the print-quality defect is still
present when printing on approved media from an unopened ream of paper, then
media, software applications, and environmental conditions need to be researched.
When analyzing a print-quality defect, first determine if the defect occurs:
■ in all colors
■ in only one color
■ if it is repeating or random
The visible surfaces of all rollers should be inspected for obvious defects.
Diagnosing Print-Quality Problems
The Troubleshooting Print-Quality Page provides a good overview of the most
common print quality problems. To print the Troubleshooting Print-Quality Page,
follow these steps:
1. From the Control Panel, scroll to Troubleshooting, then press OK.
2. Scroll to Print Quality Problems, then press OK.
3. Scroll to Troubleshooting Print Quality Page, then press OK.
The Troubleshooting Print Quality Page includes instructions for printing the
Eliminate Light Stripes test print. These instructions are also provided on the next
page of this manual. The Eliminate Light Stripes test print indicates individual weak
or missing jets or an obstruction in the imaging path that affects a vertical band down
the entire page. Also, you may see color variation from jet to jet on the Eliminate
Light Stripes test print. Some variation is normal, occasionally occurs, and usually
self-corrects within a few printed pages. If a print-quality problem is not resolved
with the information provided in the Diagnosing Print-Quality Problems section, see
the specific problem in "Analyzing Service Test Prints" on page 5-33.