Issue description
About an inch (2.5 cm) or so of print on either the left or right-hand side of the page is faded, missing, or cut off. See the images below for a typical example. Notice that the right-hand edge of the page is blank.
Recommendations
Any of the following can cause this issue:
- An incorrect paper size setting.
Note: Normally, this causes a sharp cutoff of the print, rather than a faded or uneven edge.
- Part of the protective packing tab is stuck in the toner cartridge.
Note: Normally, this causes an uneven cutoff of the print.
- The foam transfer roller has shifted.
- A part on the printer is not functioning correctly.
Note: Normally, this requires a service action on the printer to correct the issue.
Recommended actions
: See the appropriate headers below to investigate each possible cause listed above.
Check the paper size settings for each tray
First check the Paper Size setting for all the paper trays. You can do this by using the operator panel to enter the printer's menu. Then you view the paper-size settings for each tray under the Paper Menu. Alternatively, you can choose to use the operator panel to instruct the printer to a menu settings page, from which you can view all the paper size settings. NOTE: For more information on accessing and navigating the printer's menus, please see the User's Guide.
Confirm that the paper size listed for each tray correctly matches the size of the print media loaded in that tray. If one or more of the paper sizes do not match, do the following:
| Step | Action |
| 1 | Remove each of the affected trays from the printer. |
| 2 | Remove all paper from the paper tray. |
| 3 | Confirm that the rear paper guide is in the correct position; i.e., that the arrow on the rear paper stop is lined up with the size of paper in the tray. The rear paper guide is the part that tells the printer what size of paper is loaded in the tray. |
| 4 | Once you confirm that the rear paper guide is in the correct position, reinstall the paper tray. See if the printer now reads the correct paper size. Important! If the rear paper tray is in the correct position, yet the printer continues to read an incorrect paper size, then a guide in the bottom of the paper tray may be loose. for additional information. |
Check the toner cartridge
Part of the protective packing tab may be stuck in the toner cartridge. Do the following:
| Step | Action |
| 1 | Power off the printer. Open the upper-front cover and remove the toner cartridge. |
| 2 | A red plastic tab is attached to every cartridge when it ships. See the left-hand image below. Part of the red protective packing tab may still be attached to the toner cartridge. See the right-hand image below. If part of the tab is still present, remove it and try printing again. |
| 3 | If no part of the red tab is stuck in the cartridge, try another cartridge, if one is available. See if the replacement clears up the problem.
Note: If you do not have an extra cartridge in stock but you have another printer of the same model that is working correctly, you can try exchanging the toner cartridges between the two printers to see whether the problem follows the toner cartridge or if it stays with the printer. This test will indicate whether the toner cartridge or the printer is the cause of the issue.
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Check the transfer roller
The foam transfer roller may have shifted to the right. Check the following:
| Step | Action |
| 1 | Power off the printer. Open the upper-front cover and remove the toner cartridge. |
| 2 | Look for the transfer roller. The transfer roller is a gray or black foam roller located in the bottom of the printer, below where the cartridge was sitting. The transfer roller is highlighted in the yellow box in the image below. For a larger image, click here. |
| 3 | Look for a black gear on the right-hand side of the transfer roller. This gear and the foam sit on a silver metal bar/shaft. See the image below. Normally, there is a 3/4 inch (2 cm) gap between the right-hand side of the transfer roller foam and the black gear. If the foam on the transfer roller has shifted all the way to the right and is up against this gear, then print will be missing on the right-hand side of the page. |
| 4 | If the foam on the transfer roller has shifted all the way to the right, you can try moving the foam part back into the proper position. To do this:  Confirm that the printer is powered off. Look for some glue or foam residue on the metal shaft. This should indicate the original position of the foam roller. Carefully move the foam roller to the left, along the shaft. Important! If the foam does not move easily, do not force it. It would be best under these circumstances to replace the roller or seek a service action on the printer in order to have the roller replaced. If you can get the foam back to its original position, try printing again. Important! This is a temporary fix. Eventually the foam will move again. Even if this action resolves the issue, it is recommended that you replace the transfer roller as soon as possible.
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If the issue continues
If the issue continues after checking all of the above suggestions, a service action may be required to correct the issue. Please contact Lexmark Technical Support or a local authorized service provider for additional assistance.
LEGACY ID: SO4825