2600N Laser Printer with Blue Line

[bostonman]

My 2600N laser printer is low on all color cartridges. Sometime back I changed the setting to continue printing and don't alert me about the low cartridge. I forget exactly what was happening and why I changed the setting - but believe it wasn't printing due to low toner so I turned off the alert.

At some point it began printing a thin blue vertical line (both B&W and color printing) about an inch or two right of center. If I remember correctly (I don't use it often), the blue line isn't always present.

Before I invest money in new toner cartridges, is there a way I can prove whether it's the toner or a serious problem?

[Haenk]

I suspect the wiper blade which removes excess toner - this can be visually checked on the drum.
Note that a laser printer does have parts that need to be replaced on a regular base (drum, wiper, fuser) and they really *do* wear out.

[bostonman]

I looked for where the wiper blade location is and seems to be lots of maintenance work to laser printers.

Is there only one wiper blade?

[BradC]

Before I invest money in new toner cartridges, is there a way I can prove whether it's the toner or a serious problem?

Does it look anything like the line in the picture on this page? :
https://www.quora.com/Why-does-my-HP-2600n-printer-print-with-a-vertical-blue-streak

A quick look at the 2600 seems to indicate it's a much smaller brother of the 5500 (which I have) with the same imaging architecture (4 carts and ETB). The wiper blade lives inside the toner cartridge. Pop the cyan cartridge out and pull back the cover over the drum. If it's the wiper you'll see a streak on the drum that corresponds with the line on your page. If not then we might need to look elsewhere.

I'd lay odds on the cartridge though.

[bostonman]

The line is thinner, almost like a pencil.

I looked at the cartridges and pulled back the plastic cover, saw a plastic strip (the wiper blade???), but didn't see any obvious issues. After reinstalling the old cartridges, I began getting lots of colors in vertical wide lines.

I did, however, notice the black role (looks like camera film) had the same line on it, and then the same (new) wide lines. Can this be cleaned without damaging it?

Although I've read on how laser printers work, I'm not getting the overall picture. Each cartridge is filled with powered toner, and, when I attempt to close the door, the flaps open to expose the roller. I assume the black "film" rubs against the cartridge rollers and each roller spins as needed for color.

In previous posts (or online articles), it stated to grease the blade. if I put grease on the blade, will that get onto the roller, and the black film, along with other areas?

[BradC]

Get the service manual :
https://elektrotanya.com/hp_laserjet_2600n_series.pdf/download.html

The "black flim" is the transfer belt. Read the theory of the "Image formation system" starting on page 40, then read "General print quality issues" starting page 138.

The ETB can be cleaned, but the fact it has toner lines on it indicates an issue with either one or more cartridges, or the HV block (not properly cleaning). I'd put money on one or more toner cartridges but the service manual would be a good start.

[bostonman]

As previously mentioned, the ETB (the large black film on the inside cover) has the line I see printed on paper, and now has smudges of toner all over it from me removing the cartridges.

The manual only states cleaning this through the automated methods. I've seen online they can be cleaned with alcohol, but other sites state not to touch it at all.

Am I better off buying new cartridges and letting the printer clean everything or attempt to clean the ETB first to see if the problem goes away? If so, how should I clean the ETB?

[BradC]

Am I better off buying new cartridges and letting the printer clean everything or attempt to clean the ETB first to see if the problem goes away? If so, how should I clean the ETB?

If you were to clean it manually I'd use toner cleaning wipes. You could also try a dry, lint-free cloth (like microfiber).
If you have toner over the ETB then the most likely cause is one or more cartridges leaking. I'd replace them first and let the printer do it's thing.

I have had terrible experience with third party and/or refilled cartridges. I've never had an issue with HP cartridges, even if they were old ones I picked up from surplus.

[bostonman]

As for third party cartridges, the OEM are really expensive (as I'm sure everyone is aware). Would you chance something like this:


https://www.newegg.com/speedy-inks-hp2600set2-laser-printer-toner-cartridges-4-colors/p/2D6-005T-00669?Description=hp%202600n%20toner%20cartridges&cm_re=hp_2600n_toner_cartridges-_-2D6-005T-00669-_-Product

[edavid]

The transfer belt is very rugged.  You can just clean it with a tissue.

This printer is worth maybe $10 (more likely you'd have to pay someone to take it away), and is generally kind of crappy, so I definitely wouldn't buy anything other than the cheapest toner.

I'd suggest upgrading though... life is too short to put up with this printer 

[edavid]

I have had terrible experience with third party and/or refilled cartridges. I've never had an issue with HP cartridges, even if they were old ones I picked up from surplus.

Lately I've been having a yield of maybe 50% on HP OEM cartridges for these older printers.  The seals only last so long, even when the cartridges are in the original sealed plastic bags.

[Per Hansson]

Do not buy aftermarket toners for this series of printers.
See my experiences here: https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?p=908634#post908634
As others said a new printer might be a better investment, crazy world!

[bostonman]

I hadn't considered a new printer or the cost difference. I know many have opinions on aftermarket cartridges, but figured it's worth a gamble when a new set would be $60 and thought a new color laser would be up around $500.

Typically I don't use my printer as I'll use the better quality printers at work, but now I'm working from home and have used my printer a few times.

I bought this about seven or eight years ago from someone off CL for $35. I'll say this much, I've got that money back since I have used it for several printed items over the years.

I've dealt with setting the 'low toner' override for so many years that the dull print seems like it's due to low toner, however, maybe the printer really prints low quality when compared to the stuff I print at work. This makes me uncertain if buying new cartridges is the best option since I may be better off getting a new printer that should have a sharper quality print.

On a side note, what amazes me, with so much talk about landfills and things, these electronics companies can get away with making it more cost efficient to dispose an entire printer and buy a new one than buy replacement cartridges; or come out with new model phones/TVs/etc... each year. Seems these companies are the contributes to landfills.

[edavid]

I've dealt with setting the 'low toner' override for so many years that the dull print seems like it's due to low toner, however, maybe the printer really prints low quality when compared to the stuff I print at work. This makes me uncertain if buying new cartridges is the best option since I may be better off getting a new printer that should have a sharper quality print.

Re: "dull print", this printer has a chronic problem where toner builds up on the mirrors and has to be cleaned off.  It's not a big deal to take it apart and clean it:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/HP+Laserjet+2600n+fading+color+fix/43207

However, considering the crappiness of the printer, and the fact that you'd have to get new toner anyway, it's hard to justify the effort.