Lexmark MX711de printing light greyscale in the middle of the page

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  • driving lots of miles
    Trusted Tech

    250+ Posts
    • Jun 2016
    • 391

    #1

    Lexmark MX711de printing light greyscale in the middle of the page

    we have a non color Lexmark MX711de that when it is printing greyscale it is not filled totally in the middle of the page. We are using genuine Lexmark supplies. we installed a new image unit and that did not help. We called Lexmark support and they did not have any solution other than to send out another image unit. We installed the new image unit and the greyscale is only marginally better. Copies from the glass are excellent as are the solid black internal prints, it is very noticeable on the header for fax job log which is lighter grey. The customer prints mainly contract deeds and any signatures or colored writing in the middle of the page are difficult to read, the 2 inches on each edge are very readable. This is the second brand new image unit installed. We have printed the same pages to a different Lexmark copier (same model) and they come out fine, so that rules out computer or IT issues. Sorry, I know it is a long post but I wanted to get all the info in. We are open to any ideas.
  • Elmtech
    Trusted Tech

    100+ Posts
    • Nov 2013
    • 155

    #2
    Re: Lexmark MX711de printing light greyscale in the middle of the page

    Tray cleaning the laser unit glass. Had this several times.

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    • Dadofmykids
      Technician
      • Dec 2016
      • 27

      #3
      Re: Lexmark MX711de printing light greyscale in the middle of the page

      Originally posted by driving lots of miles
      we have a non color Lexmark MX711de that when it is printing greyscale it is not filled totally in the middle of the page. We are using genuine Lexmark supplies. we installed a new image unit and that did not help. We called Lexmark support and they did not have any solution other than to send out another image unit. We installed the new image unit and the greyscale is only marginally better. Copies from the glass are excellent as are the solid black internal prints, it is very noticeable on the header for fax job log which is lighter grey. The customer prints mainly contract deeds and any signatures or colored writing in the middle of the page are difficult to read, the 2 inches on each edge are very readable. This is the second brand new image unit installed. We have printed the same pages to a different Lexmark copier (same model) and they come out fine, so that rules out computer or IT issues. Sorry, I know it is a long post but I wanted to get all the info in. We are open to any ideas.
      If copies are good then you must look at the laser unit as the other tech commented. I think lexmark calls it the printhead.

      Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

      Comment

      • ZOOTECH
        Senior member of CRS

        Site Contributor
        2,500+ Posts
        • Jul 2007
        • 3378

        #4
        Re: Lexmark MX711de printing light greyscale in the middle of the page

        Originally posted by Dadofmykids
        If copies are good then you must look at the laser unit as the other tech commented. I think lexmark calls it the printhead.

        Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
        I'm sorry, but if copies are good, I don't understand how the laser unit might be at fault.
        Perhaps, a memory problem?
        "You can't trust your eyes, if your mind is out of focus" --

        Comment

        • blackcat4866
          Master Of The Obvious

          Site Contributor
          10,000+ Posts
          • Jul 2007
          • 22920

          #5
          Re: Lexmark MX711de printing light greyscale in the middle of the page

          I think I detect some conflicting evidence. Printing and copying use the same print engine, so should be equally affected it it had anything to do with the engine. I suspect one of two possibilities:

          1) You are not noticing the same effect on copies, but it's there, perhaps more subtle. This points to the laser slit glass being dirty. Is it an especially dirty environment?
          2) You meant to say copies are light but prints and internal reports are OK, indicating a dirty scanner.

          Or how about this twist: As the scanner got more and more dirty, a tech compensated by lightening the engine density, but did not clean the optics. When the optics are cleaned the prints and copies will be equally light, and the print engine density can be adjusted back into range. Convoluted, yes? =^..^=
          If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
          1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
          2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
          3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
          4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
          5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.

          blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=

          Comment

          • Dadofmykids
            Technician
            • Dec 2016
            • 27

            #6
            Re: Lexmark MX711de printing light greyscale in the middle of the page

            Zoo, good point. I should have thought about that a little more before posting. Thanks.

            Cat, the poster would be wise to listen to you.

            Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

            Comment

            • driving lots of miles
              Trusted Tech

              250+ Posts
              • Jun 2016
              • 391

              #7
              Solved Re: Lexmark MX711de printing light greyscale in the middle of the page

              A judicious use off alcohol on the laser print head took care of the problem. We had cleaned it several times with just q-tips and got no results. Thanks to everyone who helped.

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