How to remove HP Laserjet 4P roller marks - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

raygk · 09-11-2004, 11:37 AM

I have a HP 4P printer and recently it has been putting "smudges" along the left paper edge. These occur once every 3 inches (approximately) and are about 1/4 in long by about 1/8 in wide. I assume this is from rollers that might have toner on them but they do not go away after a dozen or so pages printed. What I would like to know is how to get access to these rollers to clean them (assuming that is the problem). Of, if I am wrong, help on figuring out what the problem is.

Otherwise, the printer works well. It has never had service or internal cleaning.

Any help greatly appreciated.

kazoo · 09-11-2004, 12:58 PM

Search engines are your friend.Laser Jet troubleshooting guide.

This link shows a list of HP service docs.

raygk · 09-11-2004, 02:53 PM

Thanks for the response. I have reviewed the printer user's manual and as much as I could find on the WWW - but no help. I reviewed info on the two references you provided but nothing there seems to apply to my problem either. Any other suggestions?

maleficent · 09-11-2004, 03:30 PM

Are you using a fresh toner cartridge or a recharged one? Try replacing the toner and see if the smudges go away then.

One place you could clean, is right under the toner cartridge. If you pull out the toner, you'll see a metal roller, using alcohol and q-tips, you can clean the bar and see if that makes a difference, but I'd be willing to bet it's the toner cartridge.

raygk · 09-13-2004, 11:07 AM

Thanks for the response. I got rid of my old toner cartridge so I haven't tried a different one yet. The one I am using now is not very old. All printed pages look great except for the above mentioned marks at the left side. More importantly, I have never see or heard of a cartridge that would fail such that only these evenly spaced marks (off the normal paper printing margin) would appear. Hate to shell out for a new toner when I can't believe it is the problem. I don't see any metal roller under the cartridge - only the transfer roller. I do see a couple of small paper rollers further in,right at the left paper edge, but can't reach them. Seems these could cause the problem but I have no idea how to get at them to clean them. Suppose I could completely remove the printer cover but I hate to do that. Is there anything like a "cleaning" paper that I could use?

Cynthetiq · 09-13-2004, 07:15 PM

sometimes the ones fresh outta the box suck... and that's just what happens to them moreso with recycled ones.

I see it happen to them all the time. Change the cart and you should be fine, if not then your rollers got some toner on them and you'll have to clean them off or replace the fuser assembly. I never had to clean them off, I'd just order a new assembly but that's corporate america for you.

mtsgsd · 09-14-2004, 06:01 AM

Once you try a different cartridge you'll know for sure, but it could be that you have something foreign stuck to the imaging drum in the toner cartridge. Have you been printing labels? Had them jam? Real common problem is for the edge of the stock to peel away and stick to the insides. If it gets on the drum, and you peel it away, you'll leave adhesive behind that will attract toner and cause blotches.

Now if this sounds like it may have happened, and you want to try cleaning it, make sure you work in a darkened room. The drum is light sensitive (naturaly) and can be damaged by too much exposure to room light.

raygk · 09-14-2004, 08:37 AM

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll have to go for a new toner cartridge. Boy the last none was no bargain. I have not been using labels.

You say, Cynthetiq, that if the cartridge doesn't do it, I should clean the rollers. That is what I wanted to try first (not last). Is there any way to get at them to clean?

09-11-2004, 11:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
raygk Upright	How to remove HP Laserjet 4P roller marks I have a HP 4P printer and recently it has been putting "smudges" along the left paper edge. These occur once every 3 inches (approximately) and are about 1/4 in long by about 1/8 in wide. I assume this is from rollers that might have toner on them but they do not go away after a dozen or so pages printed. What I would like to know is how to get access to these rollers to clean them (assuming that is the problem). Of, if I am wrong, help on figuring out what the problem is. Otherwise, the printer works well. It has never had service or internal cleaning. Any help greatly appreciated.

09-11-2004, 12:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
kazoo Psycho Location: Where the night things are	Search engines are your friend.Laser Jet troubleshooting guide. This link shows a list of HP service docs. __________________ There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity -Big Daddy

09-11-2004, 03:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Are you using a fresh toner cartridge or a recharged one? Try replacing the toner and see if the smudges go away then. One place you could clean, is right under the toner cartridge. If you pull out the toner, you'll see a metal roller, using alcohol and q-tips, you can clean the bar and see if that makes a difference, but I'd be willing to bet it's the toner cartridge. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

09-13-2004, 07:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	sometimes the ones fresh outta the box suck... and that's just what happens to them moreso with recycled ones. I see it happen to them all the time. Change the cart and you should be fine, if not then your rollers got some toner on them and you'll have to clean them off or replace the fuser assembly. I never had to clean them off, I'd just order a new assembly but that's corporate america for you. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

09-11-2004, 02:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
raygk Upright	Thanks for the response. I have reviewed the printer user's manual and as much as I could find on the WWW - but no help. I reviewed info on the two references you provided but nothing there seems to apply to my problem either. Any other suggestions?

09-13-2004, 11:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
raygk Upright	Thanks for the response. I got rid of my old toner cartridge so I haven't tried a different one yet. The one I am using now is not very old. All printed pages look great except for the above mentioned marks at the left side. More importantly, I have never see or heard of a cartridge that would fail such that only these evenly spaced marks (off the normal paper printing margin) would appear. Hate to shell out for a new toner when I can't believe it is the problem. I don't see any metal roller under the cartridge - only the transfer roller. I do see a couple of small paper rollers further in,right at the left paper edge, but can't reach them. Seems these could cause the problem but I have no idea how to get at them to clean them. Suppose I could completely remove the printer cover but I hate to do that. Is there anything like a "cleaning" paper that I could use?

09-14-2004, 06:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
mtsgsd Addict Location: Wisconsin, USA	Once you try a different cartridge you'll know for sure, but it could be that you have something foreign stuck to the imaging drum in the toner cartridge. Have you been printing labels? Had them jam? Real common problem is for the edge of the stock to peel away and stick to the insides. If it gets on the drum, and you peel it away, you'll leave adhesive behind that will attract toner and cause blotches. Now if this sounds like it may have happened, and you want to try cleaning it, make sure you work in a darkened room. The drum is light sensitive (naturaly) and can be damaged by too much exposure to room light.

09-14-2004, 08:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
raygk Upright	Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll have to go for a new toner cartridge. Boy the last none was no bargain. I have not been using labels. You say, Cynthetiq, that if the cartridge doesn't do it, I should clean the rollers. That is what I wanted to try first (not last). Is there any way to get at them to clean?