Brother laser printer prints streaks, lines or faint pages
Black lines, faint areas or grey patches on a Brother laser printout usually point to the drum, the toner or dust on the corona wire. Some fixes are quick and safe if you let the printer cool first.
Safety first
Switch the printer off and let it cool for at least 10 minutes, since the fuser inside is very hot. Handle the drum and toner by their handles and keep the drum away from bright light. Avoid breathing toner dust.
Clean the corona wire
Brother drum units have a green tab that cleans the wire inside.
- Open the front cover and take out the drum and toner unit.
- Slide the green tab gently from one end to the other and back several times.
- Make sure the tab ends up in its home position, as marked on the unit.
- Put the unit back and close the cover.
Check the toner
Faint print can mean toner is running low. You can often rock the cartridge gently from side to side to spread the toner and print a few more pages. This is only a short-term help.
Check the drum
If lines or marks repeat at the same distance down the page, or if the page has grey shading, the drum may be worn or dirty. Your manual may show a repeating-spot guide. Do not wipe the drum surface.
Damp or unsuitable paper can cause smudges. Try fresh, dry paper.
Third-party parts
Compatible toner and drums can be cheaper, but results vary and some can cause print problems. Consider this if issues began after switching.
If marks appear on copies but not on prints, wipe the scanner glass with a soft dry cloth.
When to get more help
Get help if lines continue after cleaning, if you see toner leaking, or if there is a smell of burning. Do not open the casing beyond the user covers.