Need Help Fixing a Laser Printer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Paul Price
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 12:05:41 am
content: Someone gave me a Brother HL2070N network enabled laser printer that is a littlemessed up, it always prints the pages too light.It is not a terrific printer and laser printers are almost the cost of their replacement toner cartridges but I would like totry to keep this printer because it doesn't require me to turn on my printer server to print a fast page or two.It has a clone toner, but I don't really think that is the problem, but I don't want to invest in a new toner cartridge for fear that it is might not fix the problem.The print quality is ok, but very light in density, just barely readable without bold print settings.I am thinking that perhaps the HV supply for the print is too low and not attracting enough toner powder or else the laser is weak?If I print in bold, the print is quite readable.Anyone know how to fix this problem?BTW it is not a PC software issueand the drivers are latest updates available and there is no print quality adj. in the PC printer driver.When I press the power button several times to invoke a diagnostic readout just from the printer firmware, it shows the same too light printing problem.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 12:08:31 am
content: brother can be a pain to make viable some settings, but the fact bold is good means some ink saving feature may be turned on, or ink density may need to turned up, it really does sound like software

author: Skimask
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 12:13:27 am
content: Whether or not you decided to highlight/bold your original post to highlight the fact that you think you've tried everything, I'm betting on finding your "toner saver" setting and turning that off, especially since you've indicated that it prints well otherwise...

author: Paul Price
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 12:17:07 am
content: There is no hardware toner saver setting on the printer or in the driver software andthe diagnostic printout by pressing the power button on turn on, this is without any PC connection shows the same problem, even when I reset the printer to factory settings.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 12:21:37 am
content: Are you sure there is no toner save feature? I've used numerous models in this family and they've all had it.Brother's web site confirms that there is one.Also, I know it sounds simple, but did you try cleaning the corona wire?

author: Paul Price
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 12:41:17 am
content: There is no hardware toner saver setting on the printer or in the driver software andthe diagnostic printout by pressing the power button on turn on, this is without any PC connection shows the same problem, even when I reset the printer to factory settings.When I print out the Printer Savings, it shows under the category for USER SETTINGS, Density = 0 Toner Save OFF Resolution 600dpiBut then I think I looked everywhere in the "Printer Properties" butcannot find any reference or mentionofDensitysetting orToner Savesetting in the driver software or on any page of "Printer Properties" for this printer.

author: Paul Price
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 12:43:18 am
content: I have cleaned the Corona Wire and there is no change in print quality.I finally found the software settings page for "Density"I have a guess now it is the "Density" Setting.If the "Density" setting is the problem, I think, I will try to adj it away towards darkest in the Printer Driver advanced section.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 12:59:10 am
content: FYI, your printer settings in the driver should look something like this:

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 01:06:22 am
content: Before you start dinking around in the HV section or replacing lasers, replace the toner cartridge. It's much less dangerous., and worst case, you have a spare toner cartridge.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 01:08:45 am
content: Also, before you replace the toner cartridge give it a bit of a shuffle with the stirring lever provided. It may have been sitting for a long time and the contents may have settled.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 01:18:24 am
content: I agree, I think you have crap toner. I've tried a lot of the clones and they're all fine, but perhaps it's just old.

author: Paul Price
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 01:44:50 am
content: I have taken out and shook up the toner, but that just makes a little mess and no change.I have found the "Density" setting and changed it to max in the control panel Printers, but when I print out a diagnostic print with just the power on button,the USER SETTINGS shows Density = 0 Toner Save OffI know have about 75 sheets of diagnostic Printer Setup pages 1 to 3 on the floor.Same results, too light printing, and although I can adjust other settings, i.e. network settings, and the settings stick, I clicked on "Apppy" for the Density slider to Max, but when settings are printer out, the "Density" stubbornly remains at 0.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 01:45:51 am
content: That's because the control panel settings are sent per print job. To access the settings saved into the printer's memory, you have to use the network configuration tool.

author: Skimask
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 02:00:28 am
content: Quote from: Paul Price on July 07, 2013, 12:41:17 amReally?I just Google'd "Brother HL2070N manual pdf".The first hit was the owners manual.The fourth hit for the search keyword "save" in the pdf pointed me right to the place where you turn OFF the toner save option.Hmmmmmm.......Maybe you DON'T have a Brother printer? Or maybe you have a different model?

author: Paul Price
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 02:38:42 am
content: Thanks to all!I had to download the Brother BPAdministration3 software to set the configuration.Red Tape!But now it, at max densisty setting, the print output is readable.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 02:45:26 am
content: The first post reminded me of a typical engineer response to a problem.Cut scene: the camera pans over a series of parts all over the garage floor; pistons, rings, pumps, all sorts of gadgets and geegaws. The camera pans over to an engineer busily running a micrometer over a cylinder head cover, humming merrily.Wife: "Dear, what are you doing!"Engineer: "The car won't start!"Wife: "Did you remember to get gas?"Camera zooms in on engineer's face as the light bulb goes off...

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 05:49:00 am
content: Light toner even at max with a refilled toner unit means the fill is the wrong type. Often different cartridges have a slightly different toner blend to get the best results. Refill with the right toner ( after getting most of the old one out and cleaning the waste tank) and it will probably print darker.

author: Paul Price
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 11:22:30 am
content: SeanB says, "Light toner even at max with a refilled toner unit means the fill is the wrong type"Good advice and your are likely correct, but the economics of the world might say this choice is not the best:Option 1: Buy original toner from Brother to replace clone, price = price of new Brother Laser Printer - $20.Pros: Very good chance this solved density setting problem.Cons: My purse is lighter by $120 US for the original toner replacement.Cons: I discard 5000 sheets of acceptable but not remarkably good printing from clone toner.Option 2: Buy new model Brother from store.Pros: Now I have a new printer plus new toner.Cons: Hour or two to accomplish task of selecting printer, buying, unpacking, setup, install software.Cons: My pockets are lighter by $140 US for a new Brother Laser Printer.Cons: I discard 5000 sheets of acceptable but not remarkably good printing from clone toner.Option 3:Leave it alone, it works.Pros: Printer works, prints 5000 post-adj'd density pages to penuriously peruse prosaic pieces of program prose.Pros: No more time spent on problem until toner runs out.Pros: 5000 sheets of not so good but good enough clone toner printing is free.Pros: Paul Price's purse is plumper, now saved time, I go to the beach and slumber.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2013, 12:28:06 pm
content: Refill is typically 30% of the cost of a new cartridge. I almost never buy new cartridges unless I need a spare one, and in that case I order it as part of the printer purchase, so i have a spare to keep in place for when it runs low. I have a good refiller that I have been using for close to 5 years now, they fix any issues with no hassle at all. Cost is typically $30-$40 per refill. I did have a $100 refill, but the original cartridge for that printer was close to $300 wholesale...

author: Spunky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2013, 12:48:55 am
content: It's probably just damp toner, a really common fault if it's not been used for a few months. Put the cartridge somewhere warm and dry for a week and try it again.