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My printer prints with streaks or lines: causes and solution

Summary: Streaks or lines when printing have two origins depending on the type of printer. In inkjet they are almost always clogged printhead nozzles and are resolved with a cleaning cycle. In laser they usually come from low toner, a worn drum, or dirt in the paper path. The key is to identify the exact pattern of the streaks: we explain it step by step so you can target the correct cause and not change parts blindly.

A printer that printed perfectly yesterday and prints with streaks today is one of the most frustrating breakdowns, and also one of the easiest to resolve if you diagnose it well. The common mistake is buying a new cartridge before knowing if the cartridge was the problem. This guide saves you that expense.

First step: identify the pattern of the streaks

Not all streaks mean the same thing. Look at a printed sheet carefully —better a document with text and some color— and compare it with this table:

Pattern you see Most likely cause Type of printer
Horizontal white streaks, as if lines were missing Clogged printhead nozzles Inkjet
A color is completely missing (everything comes out without magenta, without cyan...) That color cartridge is empty or clogged Inkjet
A clear or diffuse vertical band that repeats on every sheet Dirty printhead or poorly distributed toner Both
Dark lines or spots that repeat at exact intervals Scratched drum or damaged roller Laser
Grayish background or general blurring Low toner, worn-out drum, or toner leak Laser

With the pattern identified, go straight to your section.

Streaks in inkjet printers

In an ink printer, the printhead expels ink through hundreds of micro-nozzles. When the printer goes days or weeks without being used, the ink dries inside those nozzles and clogs them. The result is white streaks: the areas that the clogged nozzle can no longer paint.

The solution is the printhead cleaning cycle, a feature that all ink printers incorporate. It purges ink under pressure to undo the clog:

  1. Print a nozzle test (also called "nozzle check") first from the printer software or its app. It tells you which color is failing.
  2. Run a standard printhead cleaning.
  3. Print the test again. If it improves but not completely, repeat the cleaning one or two more times.
  4. If after three attempts it is still the same, turn off the printer and let it rest for 6 hours. Time softens the dried ink clog and a subsequent cleaning usually expels it.

The exact procedure varies by brand and we detail it in our guide how to clean printheads step by step, including manual cleaning when automatic is not enough.

Careful · do not overuse cleaning

Each cleaning cycle consumes an appreciable amount of ink. Running ten cleanings in a row empties the cartridge without solving anything. Three attempts, 6 hours of rest, and another three. If after that there is no improvement, the problem is no longer fixed with cleanings.

Streaks in laser printers

A laser printer does not have nozzles, so here the streaks come from other parts. In order, from the cheapest and most likely to the most expensive:

  • Low toner. When the toner runs out, light streaks or irregular blurring appear. Remove the cartridge, shake it gently horizontally several times to redistribute the powder, and replace it. This gives a margin of a few dozen pages, but it is a sign that it is time to replace it.
  • Worn or scratched drum. If you see dark or light marks that repeat at exact intervals on the sheet (every 7-10 cm), it is the drum: that distance is its circumference. In many Brother and HP models, the drum is an independent part from the toner and is replaced separately.
  • Dirt on the corona wire or rollers. Accumulated toner residue generates streaks. A cleaning with the brush included with the printer or a dry, lint-free cloth usually solves it.
  • Defective fuser. If the toner comes out smudged or blurs when you rub it with your finger, the fuser is not fixing well. It is the most expensive repair; consider if it is worth it compared to a new printer.

What if the cartridge is to blame?

Sometimes the pattern points directly to the consumable: a color that is missing entirely, leaks, or streaks from the first page newly installed. A certified quality compatible cartridge does not cause streaks —it performs the same as an original—, but a defective, poorly sealed, or low-quality cartridge can.

If the cartridge failed from the factory or performs below what was promised, you are covered: you have a three-year legal warranty and the right to replacement at no cost. And if the printer directly does not recognize the cartridge, it is a different problem, which we cover in my printer does not recognize the compatible toner.

How to prevent streaks from returning

  • Print regularly. In ink printers, one color page per week keeps the nozzles moist and prevents 90% of clogs.
  • Use quality consumables. Ink and toner certified according to ISO standards; cheap, uncertified cartridges are the most common cause of recurrent streaks.
  • Store spare cartridges properly. In their sealed packaging, horizontally, away from heat and direct light.
  • Turn off the printer with its own button, not by cutting the power: this seals the printhead in the rest position.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my printer print with white streaks?

In inkjet printers, horizontal white streaks are almost always clogged printhead nozzles due to dried ink. They are resolved with a printhead cleaning cycle. In laser printers, a clear streak usually indicates low toner or a worn-out drum.

How many times can I clean the printhead in a row?

No more than three times in a row. Each cleaning consumes ink. If after three attempts there is no improvement, turn off the printer and let it rest for 6 hours before trying again; time softens the dried ink.

The streaks always repeat in the same place, what does it mean?

In a laser printer, a mark that repeats at exact intervals (every 7-10 cm) indicates a defect in the drum or a roller: that distance is the circumference of the part. It is most likely that the drum needs to be replaced.

Does a compatible cartridge cause streaks?

A certified quality compatible cartridge does not cause streaks: it performs the same as an original. Streaks are caused by printhead clogging, part wear, or, in that case, a defective cartridge, original or compatible. If a certified compatible fails, you have a 3-year legal warranty.

A whole color is missing when printing, is it streaks?

It is an extreme case of the same problem: that color cartridge is empty or completely clogged. Check the ink level and, if it has ink, run a printhead cleaning focused on that color. If it is empty, replace it.

The toner comes out smudged and stains when touched

That is not exactly a streak: it indicates that the laser printer fuser is not fixing the toner well to the paper. It is an expensive repair; in economical printers it usually pays off more to replace the equipment.

How do I prevent streaks from returning?

Print at least one color page per week if you have an ink printer, use consumables certified according to ISO standards, store spare cartridges sealed and horizontally, and always turn off the printer with its button so that it seals the printhead.

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Last update: May 2026. Startoner, Central Warehouse, Calle Océano Atlántico 38, 11379 Los Barrios, Cádiz. CHICTRATEC S.L. (NIF B72834534), part of the Recycop Group founded in 1998.

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