Possible causes
Multiple possible causes for this type of defect include:
- Non-genuine Lexmark Supplies / Refilled Cartridges / ‘Compatible’ Supplies
- 31.46 Reinstall Missing or Unresponsive Toner Cartridge
- 31.66 Reinstall Missing or Unresponsive Imaging Unit
- Extreme elevated temperature and humidity conditions
- Electrical contact failure in the printer
Non-genuine Lexmark Supplies / Refilled Cartridges / ‘Compatible’ Supplies
Use of Non-Lexmark supplies can result in damage to printer components and in multiple failures, including degraded print quality within the system; i.e., the effects of using such non-Lexmark supplies are not limited to the imaging unit, printhead, fuser, transfer system, and paper feed reliability.
31.46 or 31.66 Reinstall Missing or Unresponsive Toner Cartridge/Imaging Unit errors
Ignoring the 31.46 and/or 31.66 events (or 201.22 Paper Jam) errors may lead to poor print quality as depicted above.
High Temperature and Humidity Environment
Toner is a plastic-based powder that is intended to melt in specific environments. Should the toner cartridge and/or imaging unit be stored, shipped, or used in an extremely hot environment, the toner will melt within the supply container. Thus, Lexmark indicates supported print environments in the printer specifications found at Lexmark.com website. In some cases, you can hear the toner inside a supply rattle (not the gears but the toner inside) which would indicate the supply has been exposed to extreme heat at some point and needs to be replaced. If it is a new supply, please return it to the point of purchase.
Specified Operating Environment:
- Temperature: 16 to 32°C (60 to 90°F)
- Humidity: 8 to 80% Relative Humidity
- Altitude: 0 – 2896 Meters (9,500 Feet)