A printed page with streaks and banding caused by a printing problem
Article · Printing blog

Printer Prints with Streaks or Lines: Causes and Solution

Updated

Streaks are a symptom, not a diagnosis. Print the quality page or nozzle check specified for your model and compare the pattern before cleaning, buying a cartridge or opening the machine.

Key points

  • On inkjets, a nozzle check can reveal which colour or nozzles are missing.
  • On laser printers, measure repeating marks against your model’s defect chart, not a universal distance.
  • Paper, settings, toner and drum can also matter; identify the cause before replacing parts.

How do I identify the streak pattern?

Note whether a line is horizontal or vertical, a colour is missing, or a mark repeats regularly. Compare a diagnostic page printed by the device with the original document; this can separate a printing defect from a scanner or file problem. Your model manual tells you which test to run.

Why do streaks appear on an inkjet printer?

White bands on an inkjet may indicate clogged nozzles, but the bands alone do not prove it. For the HP Officejet Pro 8500, the diagnostic page identifies an affected colour block. If your model’s test confirms missing marks, use its automatic cleaning routine; do not default to manual printhead cleaning. HP Officejet Pro 8500

  1. Print the nozzle check or quality page named in your manual.
  2. If the pattern confirms blockage, run the automatic cleaning cycle specified for that model.
  3. Reprint the test and observe the maker’s cycle limit and pause; if defects remain, continue its diagnosis or seek service.

Careful: don't overdo the cleaning

Stop cleaning at your model’s cycle limit and check the nozzle pattern after each attempt. Epson’s Stylus NX210 guide mentions up to four cleanings or, alternatively, switching off and waiting at least six hours before retrying. Do not apply that number to another printer; follow its manual instead of consuming ink through unchecked cycles. Epson Stylus NX210

What causes streaks on a laser printer?

A laser printer has no ink nozzles. Lines may involve consumables, drum, transfer components or other parts; the pattern alone does not identify one component. Print your model’s test page and follow its quality chart. Brother lists damaged toner and drum as possibilities for white lines on specific models. Brother DCP-L5650DN

  • Check that paper and media settings match your model’s specifications.
  • Record whether marks repeat and compare their spacing with the manufacturer’s chart.
  • Check consumable installation only as the manual directs; avoid hot parts and do not dismantle internals without instructions.

What does a mark that always repeats at the same distance mean?

A mark that repeats at regular intervals on a laser printer can point to a rotating part, such as the drum or a roller. Measure the distance between marks and compare it to the manufacturer repetitive defect guide for your model. Do not attribute the fault to a generic measurement or replace the drum without diagnosing it. HP M406/M407

Are the drum and the toner the same part?

Toner and drum are separate parts in some printers, while others combine them. Brother’s DCP-L5650DN guidance treats both as possible causes of white lines. Confirm your printer’s design and procedure before ordering replacements. HP M282/M283

And what if the cartridge is to blame?

Yes. A damaged or incorrectly seated cartridge, original or compatible, can cause streaks; the word “compatible” alone does not identify the fault. Print your model’s diagnostic page and check installation and consumable condition as its manual directs. On some Brother models, either toner or drum damage can produce white lines, so diagnose before replacing parts.

How do I stop the streaks coming back?

Prevention is model-dependent: use supported paper, select the correct media type and check a quality page when output changes. On an inkjet, run a nozzle check before cleaning; on a laser, consult the maker’s defect pattern. A fixed printing frequency cannot be promised to prevent every streak.

  • Store paper as directed and set aside warped sheets.
  • Use sizes and media types supported by the device.
  • Follow your model’s maintenance sequence, not a universal cleaning rule.
  • If defects persist, compare the test with the maker’s guide or request service.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my printer print with white streaks?

White streaks can indicate clogged nozzles in an inkjet printer or a toner, drum, or transfer issue in a laser. Print the diagnostic page indicated in your model manual and note if the mark repeats in the same place. Do not change the cartridge just because of the shape of the streak.

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

Stop cleaning at your model’s cycle limit and check the nozzle pattern after each attempt. Epson’s Stylus NX210 guide mentions up to four cleanings or, alternatively, switching off and waiting at least six hours before retrying. Do not apply that number to another printer; follow its manual instead of consuming ink through unchecked cycles.

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

A mark that repeats at regular intervals on a laser printer can point to a rotating part, such as the drum or a roller. Measure the distance between marks and compare it to the manufacturer repetitive defect guide for your model. Do not attribute the fault to a generic measurement or replace the drum without diagnosing it.

Does a compatible cartridge cause streaks?

Yes. A damaged or incorrectly seated cartridge, original or compatible, can cause streaks; the word “compatible” alone does not identify the fault. Print your model’s diagnostic page and check installation and consumable condition as its manual directs. On some Brother models, either toner or drum damage can produce white lines, so diagnose before replacing parts.

Is a completely missing colour the same as streaking?

If an entire color is missing, first check the level, cartridge installation, and nozzle check. An empty reservoir, an unrecognized cartridge, or clogged nozzles are possible causes. Follow your printer manual cleaning procedure and check the pattern after each cycle; do not apply a universal limit.

The toner comes out smudged and smears when touched, what is it?

If the toner flakes off when touching the page, there may be a fusing issue, but paper, settings, and consumables also play a role. Check that the selected paper type matches the one used and try a diagnostic page. If it persists, consult the manufacturer service procedure before attributing it to the fuser.

Keep reading at Startoner

If you also notice faint text or recurring repeating marks down the page, see our diagnosis guide for faded, light, or ghost printing from a toner printer.

Sources

Last updated: July 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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