Question Printing issues

[Zahid Makda]

I have a HP MFP M281fsw laserjet colour printer.
Recently I've had some issues when printing.
1) I get lots of these blue dots all over the page, even when I print in only black. I also get a few yellow dots.
2) the page gets a greying tone to it.
I've attached an image for better understanding.

Please, any help would be useful.

Attachment: Printed with dots

 

[KingLoki]

When did the problem start?
- Settings change?
- Windows driver/system update
- Disconnect/Re-connect
- Cable
etc....??

 

[Zahid Makda]

The issue started around 3 weeks ago. I e had the printer for about 5-6 years, no issues. The current toners are compatible (not originals) and it's the first time I've had the issues with such toners.

I've done a factory reset and clean, done the standard maintenances cleaned any dirt that I could see inside the printer and on the toners. But nothing has improved.

 

[KingLoki]

The blue marks randomly spotting like that is unusual. Can it print a test page on any setting?

 

[Zahid Makda]

I'll try printing a test page when I get home.

Even when I photocopy, it prints those dots

What about the grey streaks?

 

[KingLoki]

So it definately started with the replacement toners?

 

[Zahid Makda]

As in, Ive been using the same toner for over a year. Has been working fine, and suddenly this issue started three weeks ago.

 

[KingLoki]

You mentioned that you did a factory reset. So is it running the latest driver and does it have an install software package from the manufacturer?

 

[Zahid Makda]

I'm not quite sure if it's been updated. I'll check that too when I get home soon

 

[KingLoki]

👍

 

[ex_bubblehead]

This is what happens when you do not use the proper supplies. Toner is NOT universal across all printers. I'd bet dollars to donuts that switching to the proper OEM supplies fixes the problem.

 

[KingLoki]

I think homer would choose the donuts 👍

 

[Zahid Makda]

This is how the test page printed:
Test page printout

Surprisingly no blue dots!
But still getting the grey streaks

 

[Paperdoc]

This sounds like a more general dirty printer issue. That is, inside the printer there are places where a small amount of certain toners have built up and are falling on the paper as it passes through. Can you tell whether the "blue dots", say, are on the sheet? Are they random, or always ion the same places? Random would indicate an accumulation on a static area that simply drops off, but reproducible locations say the junk is on a synchronized moving part like rollers. See if you can find a way to clean the paper path.

 

[Zahid Makda]

Thanks for that. I'll give this a try

 

[LinuxDevice]

Incidentally, laser printers use a very fine "dot" of a thermal plastic of a specific size, and they melt that plastic dot into the paper. The part which melts it is called the "fuser". It isn't unusual that fusers need cleaning (basically, a complicated way to agree with @Paperdoc). Be careful though since if this printer has been plugged in recently, then the fuser might be rather hot.

Also, there is a place to catch unused toner which more or less falls off as a waste product each print. That tray might have filled, so check your maintenance docs for your particular printer for both fuser cleaning and for any waste dump.