- Unplug the printer, remove paper trays and toner cartridge
- Vacuum inside of printer thoroughly
- Remove the air filter from the fan assembly (look for a pull tab
or foam) and vacuum.
- Using a Qtip, clean the corona wires - these are wires that look like fishing line - they draw the toner onto the page. They are always found directly opposite the toner drum.
- On most printers, there will be anti-static teeth nearby that the
page slides across. These should be cleaned at the same time.
- Open the fuser hood (the fuser assembly is usually made of heavy black
plastic, and will have a 'warning: hot' message. Vacuum thoroughly,
and look for little pieces of paper (which you remove, of course). There
will be a roller cleaner made of felt, usually covered with burnt dust/toner/debris.
Something with a stiff edge can be used to scrape it clean - don't fray
the felt too much, or it may affect print quality.
- If the printer has a mirror that reflects the actual laser onto the
toner drum, it can be cleaned with windex or something similar. This
must be spotless!
- Clean the paper feed roller with warm water, but don't be afraid to
use something more serious to help it get clean. On the newer printers
with soft rubber rollers, warm water is usually enough, but on older
printers alcohol is often required. If the rubber has hardened, the
roller must be replaced.
- Clean the cork paper separation pad(s) on the paper feed tray as above.
Also, wipe off dust/debris.
- Clean the other various rollers on the printer with a Qtip (or paper
towel, if possible). These rollers are most often designed to operate
without lubrication... and you don't want oil on your printouts. If
you have a squeaky wheel, it is usually caused by trapped dust that
can be blown out with a can of compressed air. It may just need replacement.
- Inspect the toner cartridge for toner drum corruption. The toner drum
is designed to attract toner from the cartridge where given a shot by
the laser. If the printer is off, no toner should cling to the drum.
You will know this before you clean the printer, most likely, because
the printed page will have streaking, banding, or spotting that will
be a dead giveaway. There is, unfortunately, no easy cure that I am
aware of... the cartridge must be replaced.
- After the components have been cleaned, revacuum to get rid of any
dust or garbage knocked loose.
- Reassemble the printer, plug it in turn it on, and test it.
Last Updated 12/2004