printer diagnosis

Printer Has Lines, Streaks or Banding

Print a controlled line/gradient reference to prove the defect repeats, then use the exact printer maker's cleaning/alignment procedure.

Reviewed 2026-08-11
What this symptom tells you

printed pages show repeated horizontal/vertical lines, gaps or streaks

Visible steps in a smooth gradient can come from content bit depth, GPU/output settings, compression, calibration or the panel itself.

Collect evidence →
Before you change anything

Do not jump to the most invasive fix

Do not diagnose the panel from a compressed screenshot or video; use a locally rendered reference pattern first.

What success looks like

Retest the same condition

Compare the same local gradient after changing only one link in the display path.

First 3 checks

Rule out the simple causes

  1. 1

    Print DeviceOK Fine Line and Color reference pages.

  2. 2

    Confirm the correct paper/media type and print-quality setting.

  3. 3

    Use the manufacturer diagnostic/maintenance tool for nozzle/head cleaning or alignment when applicable.

Evidence-led sequence

Work through the problem in order

  1. 1

    If banding appears on DeviceOK references and other documents, it is not document-specific.

  2. 2

    Follow the exact model's official head/nozzle/alignment procedure rather than repeated random clean cycles.

  3. 3

    If the pattern persists after supported maintenance and correct consumables/media, move to model-specific service guidance.

If it works in DeviceOK

A clean DeviceOK reference suggests the original file/app/driver settings may be involved.

If it also fails here

Repeatable lines on controlled references justify printer maintenance/model-specific troubleshooting.

Related diagnoses

Only branch when the symptom changes

Made a change?Run the same test again instead of assuming the problem is fixed.
Retest Fine lines