Brother Laser Printer Giving You Faded Prints? Here’s How to Fix It

Leave a Comment / Brother Laser Printer / By

Below is a comprehensive guide on how to troubleshoot and fix light, faded, or faint print issues on Brother printers. While the specific steps may vary slightly depending on your printer model, these general tips and techniques can help you restore crisp, clear printouts.

Brother Laser Printer improve poor print quality

1. Check toner/ink levels.

  1. Status Monitor or LCD Panel
    • For laser printers, check the toner level via the LCD panel or Brother’s status monitor on your computer.
    • If the toner is running low, you may need to replace or refill it to improve print quality.
  2. Shake the toner cartridge.
    • For laser printers, remove the toner cartridge and gently rock it side to side several times.
    • This redistributes the toner inside and may temporarily fix faint print issues.
    • Reinsert the cartridge and run a test print.
  3. Inkjet Cartridges
    • If you have an inkjet model, check ink levels.
    • Replace any low or empty cartridges before troubleshooting further.

2. Inspect and Clean the Drum Unit (Laser Printers)

  1. Remove the drum and toner assembly.
    • Turn off the printer and unplug it.
    • Carefully remove the toner and drum unit as a single assembly.
  2. Separate the toner from the drum.
    • Consult your user manual for exact steps.
    • Typically, you press a small lever to release the toner cartridge from the drum.
  3. Check for Debris or Excess Toner
    • Gently wipe away any loose toner or dust with a clean, lint-free cloth.
    • Avoid touching the photosensitive drum surface with your fingers.
  4. Clean the Corona Wire
    • Most Brother drum units have a corona wire cleaning mechanism (a small slide tab).
    • Slide the tab from left to right several times, then return it to its original position.
    • This removes built-up toner that can affect print density.
  5. Reassemble and Test
    • Reattach the toner to the drum, reinstall it into the printer, and print a test page.

3. Adjust Print Density and Toner Settings

  1. Access Printer Settings
    • On your computer, open Devices and Printers (Windows) or Printers & Scanners (macOS).
    • Right-click your Brother printer and choose Properties or Preferences.
  2. Look for Advanced or Detailed Settings
    • Find options related to print density, contrast, or toner save mode.
  3. Disable Toner Save Mode
    • Toner Save Mode reduces toner use, often causing lighter prints.
    • Turn this feature off if you need darker printouts.
  4. Increase Print Density
    • Adjust the print density to a higher level to produce darker prints.
    • Apply the changes and test to see if print quality improves.

4. Run a Printer Self-Cleaning Cycle (Inkjet Models)

  1. Access Maintenance Menu
    • On inkjet Brother printers, there’s usually a maintenance or ink menu on the printer’s control panel.
  2. Select Cleaning
    • Choose Cleaning or Head Cleaning. This will purge and re-prime ink through the nozzles.
  3. Test Print
    • Print a test page or a quality check sheet to see if lines or faint patches have improved.
  4. Repeat if Necessary
    • Sometimes you may need multiple cleaning cycles for severely clogged nozzles.

5. Check the fuser unit (Laser printers).

  1. Printer Temperature and Environment
    • A cold or overly humid environment can affect the fuser’s ability to adhere toner.
    • Ensure your printer is used in a recommended temperature and humidity range.
  2. Inspect for Damage
    • If the fuser roller is worn or damaged, it may cause faint or inconsistent prints.
    • Consult your manual or a service technician if you suspect fuser issues.
  3. Replace if Needed
    • Fusers have a limited lifespan. Replacing the fuser at the recommended interval may resolve persistent faint printing.

6. Update Firmware and Drivers

  1. Download the Latest Drivers
    • Go to the Brother Support website (or your regional equivalent) and locate your printer model.
    • Install the newest drivers for your operating system.
  2. Install Firmware Updates
    • Search for any available firmware updates for your Brother printer.
    • Updating firmware can fix known print quality or performance issues.
  3. Restart Devices
    • Reboot your computer and printer after installing updates.
    • Print a test page to confirm if the issue is resolved.

7. Check Paper and Cartridge Compatibility

  1. Use Correct Paper
    • Low-quality or incompatible paper can absorb too much toner or ink, causing faint prints.
    • Use Brother-recommended paper types and check if the printer settings match the paper weight/thickness.
  2. Genuine vs. Third-Party Cartridges
    • Non-OEM or refilled cartridges can cause inconsistencies in print density.
    • If you suspect cartridge quality, try replacing it with a genuine Brother cartridge.
  3. Temperature and Storage
    • Ensure paper is stored in a cool, dry place.
    • Damp or curly paper can lead to poor print quality.

8. Perform a Factory Reset (As a Last Resort)

  1. Backup Settings
    • A factory reset will erase any custom settings or network configurations.
    • If possible, note down or back up important settings.
  2. Reset Through Control Panel
    • On the printer’s LCD menu, navigate to Settings → All Settings → Network / General Setup → Reset or similar.
    • Select Factory Reset or Default Settings.
  3. Reconfigure
    • After the reset, reconfigure your printer’s Wi-Fi, network, or custom settings.
    • Test print to see if the faint or light printing has improved.

9. When to Contact Brother Support

If you’ve tried all the above steps and still experience faint, faded prints:

  1. Official Brother Support
  2. Customer Service
    • Reach out to Brother Customer Service or chat support for more advanced guidance or potential hardware issues.
  3. Professional Servicing
    • If the printer is under warranty, or if a hardware problem (like a damaged drum or fuser) is suspected, a service technician may be required.

Conclusion

Light, faded, or faint printing on a Brother printer can stem from various factors—low toner, dirty drum units, clogged inkjet nozzles, or even incorrect printer settings. By systematically checking toner or ink levels, cleaning and inspecting hardware components, updating firmware and drivers, and ensuring you’re using compatible paper and cartridges, you can often resolve these issues and restore high-quality prints. If the problem persists, don’t hesitate to leverage Brother’s customer support or consult a qualified technician.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *