How can I fix streaks or lines on my printed pages?

Poor print quality with streaks or lines is almost always caused by a clogged printhead (in inkjet printers) or a dirty drum/roller (in laser printers). Most modern printers have a built-in "Clean Printhead" or "Maintenance" routine that resolves this after one or two cycles.

Why are my prints faded even with ink installed?

Faded output can come from low ink levels, an economy/draft print setting, a partially clogged printhead, or a cartridge nearing the end of its life. Check the ink levels and print quality setting first, then run a cleaning cycle before replacing anything.

My colours look wrong — is that a cartridge problem?

Not always. Colour that looks off is frequently an alignment or calibration issue rather than a supply problem. Run the printer’s alignment routine and calibrate colour before assuming a cartridge has failed.

How do I stop my printhead from clogging?

Print at least a few pages every week, use quality ink, keep the printer in a stable environment, and always power it down using its own button so it can cap the printhead. Regular light use prevents most clogs.

Fix Print Quality Problems

Overview

Match the symptom to the right fix

Print quality issues are readable clues. Horizontal streaks usually mean a clogged printhead or dirty drum; faded output points to low ink, an eco setting, or a failing cartridge; and colours that look wrong often need alignment or calibration rather than new supplies.

This category helps you diagnose by symptom, then apply the least invasive fix first — a maintenance cycle before a deep clean, alignment before replacement. You will also learn the habits that keep a printhead from clogging in the first place.

What you'll learn

Read streaks, banding, and fading as specific, fixable symptoms
Run printhead cleaning and alignment cycles correctly
Calibrate colour so prints match what is on screen
Prevent clogs by printing regularly and storing ink well

All Articles

All Print Quality Guides

Every guide we've published on print quality — from quick fixes to in-depth walkthroughs.

How to Fix a Printer Printing Blank Pages

Print Quality

Jul 14, 2026

How to Fix a Printer Printing Blank Pages

Your printer feeds the paper, hums through the motions, and hands you a completely blank sheet. This guide walks you from the quickest checks — ink levels and protective tape — through nozzle cleaning, driver settings, and laser toner faults, so pages come out with ink on them again.

17 min read

How to Fix a Printer Printing Faded or Light Pages

Print Quality

Jul 14, 2026

How to Fix a Printer Printing Faded or Light Pages

Pale, washed-out prints usually come down to low ink or toner, an economy print setting, a clogged printhead, or damp paper. This guide walks you through each cause in plain language, from the quickest checks to the deeper fixes, so your pages come out crisp and dark again.

17 min read

How to Fix Printer Streaks, Lines and Banding

Print Quality

Jul 14, 2026

How to Fix Printer Streaks, Lines and Banding

Streaks, lines and banding across your prints almost always point to a clogged nozzle, a dirty paper path, or a worn drum — not a broken printer. This guide helps you read the pattern, clean the right part, and get back to crisp, even pages.

18 min read

How to Fix Printer Smudges, Toner Marks and Ink Smears

Print Quality

Jul 14, 2026

How to Fix Printer Smudges, Toner Marks and Ink Smears

Smudges, toner marks and wet ink smears usually come from ink that hasn’t dried, the wrong paper, or a dirty paper path rather than a broken printer. This guide walks you through drying times, paper choice, and cleaning the rollers, cartridge area and fuser safely so your pages come out crisp and clean.

16 min read

Print Quality

Jul 14, 2026

How to Fix Printer Colour Problems

When your prints come out with the wrong colours, a missing colour, or a shade that doesn’t match what’s on screen, the cause is usually simple — a low cartridge, a clogged nozzle, or a driver setting. This guide walks you through every check in plain language, from ink levels to colour calibration and alignment, so your prints look the way you expect.

16 min read

Troubleshooting