Member Avatar for GrahamW2

HP 2420d - quite an old b/w laser.

It has recently started printing "echoes" and, more markedly, lines across the page every 40mm or so.

My suspicion is the new printer cartridge which I installed shortly before I started noticing this problem. Sadly I had already thrown the old one out, so I can't pop it back in to compare. That's pretty annoying as it was quite OK, but I had been getting a message to "Replace Toner" for quite a while and I imagined that prints were getting less intense (so I changed it as a precaution).

Does anyone have details on exactly what and how to clean the printer (if this is what's needed) ?

Regards

Graham

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Dani AI

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Periodic, repeating lines on laser prints almost always point to a mechanical or optical fault inside the machine rather than a PC driver. Typical suspects are rotating parts or anything that contacts the paper: the photoconductor/drum, the developer/toner station, the transfer roller or corona, or contamination inside the paper path. The correct approach is a short, methodical isolation sequence and only the safest cleaning steps first.

Try this safe diagnostic sequence:

  • Print a self-test/configuration page from the printer itself (not from the PC). If the fault appears on that page the problem is in the printer hardware.
  • With the printer powered off and cooled, remove the cartridge and inspect the interior for loose toner, smears, or visible wear on rollers. Do not touch the shiny drum surface with your fingers.
  • If the cartridge has a built‑in cleaning tab/corona cleaner, use it per the cartridge markings.
  • Clean visible rubber rollers and the transfer roller with a lint‑free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water or 70%+ isopropyl alcohol. Let everything dry fully before reassembly.
  • Run any built‑in calibration/clean cycles the printer offers, then print another self‑test.

Safety and service cautions:

  • Unplug and let the fuser cool completely before working inside; the fuser can cause burns.
  • Avoid canned air (it spreads toner) and household vacuums (static and fine toner damage). Use a proper toner vacuum if available, or gently wipe with lint‑free cloths.
  • Do not use solvents on the fuser or directly on the photoconductor drum; if the drum is damaged the cartridge usually needs replacement.

If careful cleaning and running the printer’s maintenance routines don’t remove the bands, the problem is likely a worn/failed drum, transfer assembly, or fuser and will require replacement or a service technician. As pointed out, cartridge provenance can influence troubleshooting, and following ’s suggestion to contact HP or a repair shop is reasonable if internal parts need replacement.

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Member Avatar for rubberman

Was this a new, or was it a reconditioned (reloaded) cartridge?

Member Avatar for GrahamW2

Was this a new, or was it a reconditioned (reloaded) cartridge?

I believe that it was new. However, I bought it off a private seller on eBay. The box and bag had been opened, but the tear-off strip with green tab was still in place.

Regards

Graham

Member Avatar for GrahamW2

Well now I'm really not happy :angry:

I read online that regular markings every 38mm were related to the toner cartridge and it would need replacing.

I decided to bite the bullet and go to the high street and buy a "definitely genuine new unused" cartridge (at full retail price).

And guess what ? Yes, you guessed it, the problem is still there !


In fact it's getting worse. I can now see two separate sets of lines, each repeating every 40mm or so (and "offset" to each other by about 20mm). One set is sharp (covering about a third of the width of the page) and the other set more nebuous (but covering almost the entire width of the page).


Please, I'm desperate. How do I fix this ?

Regards

Graham

Member Avatar for jingda

Call up HP and tell them the problem you have.

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