Roller marks on paper while you print are an annoying problem that can destroy important documents. This problem usually doesn’t go away if you don’t do something about it.
So, how to fix the printer leaving roller marks on the paper?
The most effective way to fix the printer leaving roller marks on oriented paper is to clean the printer roller. You will have to apply different cleaning methods based on the printer’s model. If you live in an area with excess humidity, drying the paper before printing will help. Adjusting the ink density, drying times, and activating the paper abrasion settings also work.
To grasp these processes in detail, keep reading this article.
Printer Leaving Roller Marks On The Paper Issue: Physical Fix
In this fixing method, you have to try solving the issue physically either by cleaning the printer roller or drying the paper. Let’s see the fixes.
Fix 1: Clean the Dirty Printer Rollers
Cleaning the printer rollers solves the pizza wheel mark problem most of the time. The roller cleaning process can vary with different printer brands.
Also, when the print roller or print-head sponges are very dirty, it can cause jams in the printer. So, cleaning the printer roller can be a way of fixing the printer jam as well.
Here are the roller cleaning processes of some popular printer brands.
How to Clean an Epson Printer Roller?
To clean the Epson printer roller, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Make sure the printer is turned off.
Step 2: The Epson printer comes with a cleaning pad. Dampen the pad with clean water and squeeze it well so that there is no water dripping.
Step 3: Remove the upper cover of the printer, and wipe the black plastic part of the printer with the dump pad.
Step 4: Press and hold the in button and while you are at it, press and hold the printer’s power button. When the paper and ink lights start flashing, you can release the buttons.
Step 5: Put a sheet of plain paper in the stack and tap on the power button. The printer will feed the paper sheet. For the sheet to be fed through the printer, it will take around three minutes.
Step 6: During feeding time you have to clean the roller. Take the damp pad again and gently wipe the roller with the pad. To clean the whole roller surface, You can rotate the roller.
Step 7: Now check if the ejected paper has any marks or not. If needed, you can repeat the process again.
How to Clean an HP Printer Roller?
Here’s how to clean the HP printer rollers.
Step 1: Turn off the printer and ensure the power cable is unplugged.
Step 2: Locate the tab on the left side of the printer’s rear access door. Press on the tab and remove the door to expose the printer rollers.
Step 3: Take the microfiber cloth, and dampen it in clean water. Make sure to squeeze out excess water.
Step 4: Gently clean the rollers one by one. Keep rotating the roller to ensure the whole surface is clean.
Step 5: Let the rollers dry completely and then re-install the rear access door.
Caution: While cleaning the printer rollers, a cleaning pad or microfiber cloth dampened with only clean water is enough. You should never use any thinner, alcohol, or any other chemical cleaner as it can damage the roller.
However, you can use cleaning fluid when you clean the external parts of the printer.
How To Clean The Paper Feed Roller In Canon?
In the Canon printer, you don’t have to clean the printer rollers manually. Rollers can be cleaned through the printer’s programming. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Load some A4-sized or letter-sized paper in the paper tray. For this procedure, only these two types of paper are suitable. Don’t put other papers in the printer.
Step 2: Press the “Online” button on the printer to put the printer online.
Step 3: Press the “Utility” button on your printer. It will be signed like () this.
Step 4: Use the arrow button to locate “Cleaning” from the Utility menu. Press “OK” when you find the option.
Step 5: Select which sized paper you have used from the cleaning option and press “OK”.
Step 6: A confirmation for the execution of the cleaning process will be shown in the menu. Go to “Yes” and press “OK”.
Step 7: Press the “Online” button again. Now the printer will start feeding the paper and cleaning the roller.
Note that, you can not cancel the cleaning procedure, so wait with patience until the procedure is complete.
Also, if you find the print roller to be worn out, you have to replace the printhead roller. The following video might help.
Sometimes, even after cleaning or replacing the print rollers properly, your printer may still leave pizza wheel marks. In this case, you have to try other fixes described below.
Fix 2: Drying the Paper
If you live in an area with excess humidity, the paper you are using for printing paper absorbs moisture from the air. As a result, the paper gets damped and it takes more time to dry the ink. In this case, getting roller marks is common.
You can fix this problem by drying out the paper before printing. You can do it in several ways.
- Keep the papers under the warm oven fan for around 10 minutes. Make sure the fan is warm, and not hot. The temperature should be around 170 to 200 °F. Then try printing with this paper.
- If your oven doesn’t have a warm setting, dry the paper with a hair dryer before you put it on the printer.
- Or simply you can put the paper under a fan for 10 to 15 minutes. Make sure to keep a paperweight on them.
Printer Leaving Roller Marks On The Paper Issue: Settings Fix
You can also try fixing the roller mark on the printed paper problem by changing some settings of the printer. Here are those fixes.
Fix 1: Adjust The Ink Density & Drying Time
When you use both sides of the paper, sometimes the ink doesn’t get enough time to dry. So, after printing one side, when the paper goes into the printing again, the ink smudges as it goes through the roller. And it leaves roller marks.
In this case, adjusting the ink density and drying time helps. It will also help with pizza wheel marks on glossy paper as ink on glossy paper requires more time to dry. Here’s what you have to do.
Adjusting The Density And Drying Time In Canon Printers
Here is the way to adjust the density and the drying time of Canon printers.
Step 1: From the home screen of your printer, select “Menu”.
Step 2: Choose the “Adjust or Maintenance” option then go to the “Adjust Image Quality” option.
Step 3: Go to the “Density/Drying Time Adjustment”.
Step 4: Choose the “Adjust for All Paper Sources” option. The Ink density and drying time should be on ) as default settings.
Step 5: Choose from Settings 1, 2, or 3 where the Ink density is lesser and drying time is higher than the default settings. Set different densities and times and see if the paper leaves roller marks. You have to do some dry runs in different settings. And then find out the best setting for you by trial and error. You have to select “Apply” once a setting is selected.
Adjusting The Density And Drying Time In Brother Printers
Here’s how to adjust the density and the drying time of Brother printers.
Step 1: Select the “Menu” from your Brother printer’s control panel.
Step 2: Select “Settings”
Step 3: Select “Printer Density” and use the down arrow to reduce density.
Step 4: Go to the general Setup > Maintenance > Print Setting Options.
Step 5: Select the “reduce Smudging” option.
Step 6: from the same option select the “Slow Drying Paper” option. Press “OK”.
Now check if the roller marks on the printed paper problem are solved.
Fix 2: Activate Preventing Paper Abrasion Settings
When you print on an unusual sheet such as a thicker sheet than 0.3mm or a glossy paper, the print head puts more pressure on the loaded paper. As a result, the roller leaves an impression on the paper.
In this case, preventing paper abrasion setting will help. This setting will increase the gap between the print roller and the paper sheet. Here’s how to activate this setting.
How To Activate Prevent Printer Abrasion In Windows 10?
Follow the process below to prevent printer abrasion in Windows 10.
Step 1: Go to the settings from your PC and find “Printers & Scanners”.
Step 2: Right-click on the printer you are using and click on “Printer Properties”.
Step 3: Go to “Maintenance and select “Custom Settings”.
Step 4: Click on “Prevent Printer Abrasion” and a tick mark on the box next to it will come up. And the setting is done.
How To Activate Prevent Printer Abrasion On Mac?
Here is the process of preventing printer abrasion on Mac
Step 1: From the Apple menu, go to “System Preferences”.
Step 2: Select “Print & Fax”.
Step 3: Select the printer you are using and from the right tab click on the “Print Queue” option.
Step 4: Select the “Utility/ Printer Setup” button.
Step 5: Select your printer’s name and click on the “Maintenance” option.
Step 6: From the arrow menu, choose “Custom Settings”.
Step 7: click on the small box beside ‘Prevent paper abrasion’ and click send.
Step 8: A confirmation for sending this set to the printer will show up. Click “OK”.
Step 9: Click “Quick” and the prevent paper abrasion is set.
Fix 3: Change the Photo Settings
When you print on a high-quality setting, for example, “Photo Setting”, the ink will take longer to dry because it puts on a thicker layer. As a result, when the paper goes through the roller, the ink smudges and creates roller marks, especially on “Glossy Paper”
In this case, it is better to print on “Plain Paper” settings instead of “Photo settings”.
These fixes should solve the roller marks problem of your printer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Why Are There Streaks On My Paper When I Print?
If there are streaks on your paper when you print, your printer might be lacking ink or toner. Also, a clogged or dirty printer head or nozzle can cause this problem. In the worst-case scenario, the printer can be malfunctioning and requires professional support.
Why Is My Printer Banding?
Your printer can keep banding when the injected media of your printer is not compatible with the ink and the printer. Also, incorrect medial settings, misaligned or clogged printheads, and wrong feeding material calibration can cause this problem.
How To Stop The Paper From Curling When Printing?
To stop the paper from curling while printing, make sure you are using the papers recommended by the manufacturer. You should also dry the paper before putting them into the printer as excess humidity can cause this issue. If nothing works, the printer might have a damaged fuser which needs to be replaced by a professional.
Conclusion
I hope this article helped you with the Printer Leaving Roller Marks On Paper problem. Print a trial copy after trying the fixes to make sure there are no roller marks. Also, don’t forget to clean your printer regularly.
That’s all for today. Have a great day!