WebTV Printer Help Guide

Print Quality Could Be Better

If your printer isn't printing the way you think it should, you may be able to correct the problem yourself.

First, print a test page by clicking here. Then choose Previous to jump back to this page and compare your test printing with the illustrations below. Click the caption under the illustration that best resembles your printout for further instructions.

Horizontal banding	Vertical misalignment or banding
Horizontal banding	Vertical misalignment or banding
Color gaps	Incorrect or missing colors
Blurry or smeared printout

Horizontal banding

Try one or more of these solutions:

If you are using coated ink jet paper, make sure the printable side of the paper is face up in the sheet feeder.

Clean the print head to clear any clogged ink nozzles.

Check the error

light. If the light is flashing, replace the ink cartridge. See Replacing an Empty Ink Cartridge.

Vertical misalignment or banding

Try one or more of these solutions:

Make sure the printable side of the paper is face up in the sheet feeder.

Clean the print head to clear any clogged ink nozzles.

Color gaps

Try one or more of these solutions:

Make sure your paper is not damaged, dirty, or too old. Also, make sure the printable side of the paper is face up in the sheet feeder.

Clean the print head to clear any clogged ink nozzles.

Check the error

light. If it is flashing, replace the appropriate ink cartridge. See Replacing an Empty Ink Cartridge.

Incorrect or missing colors

Try one or more of these solutions:

Clean the print head to clear any clogged ink nozzles.

If colors are still incorrect or missing, replace the color ink cartridge. If the problem persists, replace the black ink cartridge. See Replacing an Old or Damaged Ink Cartridge.

Blurry or smeared printout

Try one or more of these solutions:

Make sure your paper is dry and free of dust. If you are using coated ink jet paper, be sure the printable side is facing up. See Paper/Special Media for paper specifications.

If the paper is curled toward the printable side, flatten it or curl it slightly toward the opposite side. See Loading Plain Paper for details.

Clean the print head to clear any clogged ink nozzles.

Ink may have leaked inside the printer; wipe the inside of the printer with a soft, clean cloth.