Crooked or skewed print check

Issue description

You notice that the print on the page is slightly crooked or skewed. It can shift as it goes from left to right or the entire text and/or image can be crooked on the page. See the two images for exaggerated examples.

These are a few possible causes for the issue:

• The side restraints inside the tray are not set correctly, thus allowing the paper to shift and feed in at a slight angle as it moves out of the tray.
• If you are using the Automatic Document Feed (ADF) scanner, the side restraints on the ADF are not set correctly, thus allowing the paper to feed into the ADF at a slight angle.
• If you are using the flatbed scanner, the sheet of paper is laid at a slight angle.
• If you are using a specialty media such as card stock, labels, or envelopes, it is slipping slightly on the rollers as it feeds through the printer.
• There is a build-up of paper dust or toner dust on one or more of the feed rollers.
• There is a damaged or worn set of feed rollers in the printer.

  Note:  The feed rollers must be replaced and the printer requires service.

• A part within the printer is out of alignment.

  Note:  This requires a service action on the printer.

Determine if the issue is scanner-related

The first action is to eliminate the scanning unit as part of the cause.

Note:  If you are not using either the Automatic Document Feed (ADF) or the flatbed scanners when this issue occurs, skip ahead to the Solution section.

If you are using the ADF or the flatbed scanners, print a Network Setup page. To do this:

1. At the Ready screen, press the Menus button found in the lower right-hand corner.



2. A list of menu choices display. Select Reports. Another list of menus appears. Select Network Setup Page.



3. The printer prints one to three pages. Each of these pages has a border on them. Use these pages and the borders to see if they exhibit the same skewing issue.

• If the Network Setup pages print correctly, the cause of the skewing is with either the ADF scanner or with the flatbed scanner.
• If the Network Setup pages appear skewed as well, continue with the suggestions below.

Solution

1. If you have narrowed the source of the skew to the main printer, reload the stack of paper into the tray.

   Note:  Make sure that the side guides in the tray are set correctly.

   

   1. Remove each tray from the printer and place the tray on a flat, level surface.

   

   2. Remove all paper from the tray.

   

   3. Squeeze the side guide tab and slide the guide to outside of the tray.

   

   4. Make sure the rear paper guide is in the correct position for the size of paper you have loaded in the tray.

   

   5. Flex the sheets of paper back and forth to loosen them, then fan them. Straighten the edges on a level surface.

   

   6. Replace the paper into the tray.

   

   7. Squeeze the side guide tab, then slide the guide toward the inside of the tray until it rests lightly against the edge of the paper stack. The side guide must prevent the paper stack from moving left and right, but it must not be so tight that it binds or bends the paper.

   

   8. Insert the tray back into the printer.

   

   9. If more than one tray exists on the printer, repeat these steps for all trays.

   

   10. Try printing again to see if this has corrected the issue.



2. If the print and/or text continues to skew, try opening a new ream of paper and loading it into the tray.

   Note:  Try printing on plain copy paper, if you are not already doing so. Please try this even if the print media you are currently using has worked in the past. Do this to eliminate any special print media as part of the cause of the problem. Certain specialty papers, letterhead stock, label stock, and card stock are harder for the printer to feed and increase the chances of the pages feeding through crooked, and thus skewing the print.



3. If the skewed print continues, power off the printer. Open the lower and upper front covers and remove the toner cartridge. Check inside the printer. Examine the rollers as best you can and remove any small pieces of paper you find. Also, try cleaning out inside the printer with a dry cloth to remove any loose paper dust and toner dust.

   Note:  Look for any damaged or worn rollers. If you find any, those rollers must be replaced. Please contact Lexmark Technical Support or a local service provider.



4. If you are printing on both sides of the page (duplexing), try printing on only one side of the page.

   Note:  Make sure you are using the duplex feature when printing on both sides of the page. Printing on one side, then re-feeding printed pages through the printer (also known as manual duplexing) can cause paper feed issues to occur.

   • If the print skew continues when you print on only one side of the page, one of the main feed rollers in the printer must be replaced. Please contact Lexmark Technical Support or a local service provider.
   • If one-sided pages appear fine, there is an issue with one of the feed rollers in the duplex area. If so, you can try printing on just one side of the page until you can get the printer serviced. If you must print on both sides of the page, try the following suggestions:
   • Move any heavy graphics or text to the rear side of the page instead of the front side. When pages are duplexed, the rear side of the page is printed first and therefore, not skewed.
   • Make sure all print on the rear side of the page is at least 20 mm in from the left edge of the page. Doing this allows the rollers in the duplex area to get a better grip on the paper.