I removed cartridge to check for ink smears, then replaced it. Now it won't print.

Check the little nozzles on the cartridge. Clean it with a cloth dampened with water. Watch out, though, because the ink doesn't wash off your hands. Use gloves if you have them.

Using original cartridges won happen like this.

If the ink is smearing, it probably is not getting enough drying time. The ink drying time is a period of time inserted between pages to reduce the chance that a page will smear the one below it in the output tray. This time is factored into the time between when the first page finishes and when the next page finishes. Printing will pause temporarily if more time is needed. The time it takes for ink to dry varies greatly depending on paper type, printer driver settings, humidity, and temperature. In addition, the paper and print settings may affect the speed at which the ink can dry:

• Transparencies require much longer drying times than other paper types.
• Some store-branded photo papers do not allow ink to dry correctly because of the coatings used in their manufacture.
• Printing in Best mode can increase the dry time.

Resolving the problem If the ink smears, increase the drying time. To increase the drying time in Windows, follow the steps below:

1. When ready to print, click File , click Print .
2. Depending on your driver version, click Properties , Settings , or Preferences and follow the steps below depending on the option.
   • For Properties or Settings , follow the steps below:
     1. Click the Advanced tab.
     2. In the Extra Dry Time section, move the slider toward More .
   • For Preferences , follow the steps below:
     1. Click the Basics tab.
     2. From the Basics tab, click Advanced Features .
     3. In the Extra Dry Time section, move the slider toward More .
3. Try a sample print and see if the drying time needs to be increased more.

To increase the drying time for a Macintosh computer, follow the steps below:

1. From the File/Print Menu , select Ink under the General tab.
2. In the Dry Time section, move the slider toward More .
3. Try a sample print and see if the drying time needs to be increased more.

Other steps that will reduce ink smearing If the ink still smears when printing, try some of the following suggestions:

• Decrease the amount of time it takes for the ink to dry by decreasing the print quality to Normal or Fast mode.
• Try printing on a different type of paper or on paper from another manufacturer. Paper formulas are different between manufacturers and may have a coating that causes the ink to be absorbed at different rates.
• When printing large graphics or photos on plain paper in Best or Normal modes, improve the results by using heavier paper. Paper that is rated at 90 g/m2 (24 lb.) or higher will not curl or smear as easily as paper of a lighter weight.

Please check the black ink cartridge 1 The ink may have finished. Replace the cartridge with a new one 2 It is not seated properly in the print head. 3 Also check if the thin plastic film(so that ink does not dry up in packing) covering the ink pad in the cartridge has been removed

There are 3 things to be checked. 1: toner cartridge,try replacing it with a new on. 2: Transfer roller w/c underneath the toner cartridgelying on the printer. Removed toner cartridge,you see a roller w/c is foam like outlook,wipe it with clean dry lint free cloth or paper towel. 3: Fuser unit w/c fuse the ink on the paper.It is lacoted at the back of the machine.Remove the bottom rear cover,just by pulling it. Then you will see 2 blue color lever on left & right,turn those levers up to unlock the fuser unit,then pull out the unit. taking a look in the inner part of the unit you will see rollers . Any bad coating or damage on the roller will create smears on the prints.

check the transfer belt..there is a reason why some used printers are sold on ebay!
be prepared for sticker shot.

what printer is it and is it using ink/cartridge? Try taking out the ink and check to see if its leaking or anything like that. Clean the printer and print a couple of pages to see if the problem is resolved. you may also need to replace the ink/cartridge. good luck.

Okay, this was the problem I posted a few days ago. It's fixed now, so in case you have the same problem with smearing, here's what the help desk from Canon suggested: Open the cover and remove the ink cartridges. There is a gray lever in front of the cartridges. Lift this lever and the printhead can be easily removed.
Our printhead had a buildup of black ink on the surface. I carefully removed this with rubbing alcohol. I let the printhead dry and replaced everything. No more smearing. Imagine a help-desk that actually helped!

Laser printers do not use Ink. The problem is most likely a defect on the drum, which in this model printer, is part of the toner cartridge. Replace the black toner cartridge with a known good one and test.

Hi Are you using OEM or rebuilt toners? If your using OEM and your able to smear the ink with your finger more than likely you have a fuser problem?. If your using rebuilt cartridges it could be the cartridge. Good Luck!!