Fix Printer Streaks: Clean Printhead & Clogged Nozzles
                     D E V I C E F I X E S . C O M
How to Fix
Printer Streaks
A quick, step-by-step guide to clean prints and no 
more lines across your pages.
5 slides  |  5 easy fixes
What causes printer streaks?
Most streaks come from one of four everyday problems.
Clogged printhead Low or dried ink/toner
Dried ink blocks nozzles, leaving Running empty or uneven toner 
thin gaps or lines in your print. distribution causes faded bands.
Dirty rollers & drum Worn parts
Dust, paper fibers and residue An aging drum, fuser or cartridge 
smear across every page. leaves repeating marks.
Read the streak: inkjet vs. laser
The pattern tells you where to start.
Inkjet printers Laser printers
L O O K S  L I K E L O O K S  L I K E
Thin horizontal lines or missing color bands Vertical lines or smudges down the page
L I K E LY  C A U S E L I K E LY  C A U S E
Clogged or dried printhead nozzles Dirty or worn drum, or uneven toner
F I R S T  F I X F I R S T  F I X
Run a nozzle check, then a printhead cleaning Reseat or shake the toner; clean the drum
5 steps to a streak-free page
Work through them in order and stop when the streaks are gone.
1 2 3 4 5
Print a test Clean the Wipe rollers & Check ink or Align & 
page printhead drum toner reprint
Use the printer's Run the cleaning Power off, then use Replace low, expired Run alignment, load 
built-in nozzle or cycle from settings. a lint-free cloth. or clogged cartridges fresh dry paper and 
diagnostic page to Limit it to 2 to 3 Never touch the with genuine ones. print another test.
spot the pattern. runs. drum surface.
Tip: If streaks survive all five steps, the drum, fuser or printhead may need replacing.
Still seeing streaks?
Get the complete step-by-step guide, with clear instructions 
to get your printer producing clean pages again.
Read the full How to Fix Printer Streaks guide
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