Will not print

It seems there is a possibility of a problem with the printer itself, or perhaps the cartridges. You should first self-test the printer. Since we are unsure where the problem exists, we must do eliminative troubleshooting to rule out parts of the printing system. The self-test allows us to rule out software and the cable by testing the hardware by itself. Please note that this is not a "fix," but rather a diagnostic test to determine if your hardware is at fault.
Please begin by disconnecting the power supply from the wall (not the back of the printer) for at least "30 seconds." Then plug the printer back in.
Next, try this printer self-test by following the steps given below:
1. Power the printer off.
2. Press and hold the "Paper Feed" button.
3. While still holding the "Paper Feed" button, press and release the "Power" button. Continue holding the "Paper Feed" button.
4. When the printer starts pulling paper, release the "Paper Feed" button. It should print a test page at this point.
5. Power the printer off, as this test is continuous.
The self-test should at least print out a set of either a solid black or solid color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously). Should this test fail, please try it again without cartridges installed. If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without any cartridges installed, run the self-test again with only a color cartridge installed (If you have both black and color cartridges, after this test, run the test again with just the black cartridge installed). If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let us know.
If the self-test prints, but has lines or smudges or other print quality issues, please let us know. This includes any print quality issues - we need to know if the problems you have with your black or color are based in the printer, or communications with your computer, or the computer's software.

If the self-test prints your test bar(s) clearly, the printer hardware is not at fault. The issue may be a communication problem, or perhaps a software conflict.

One common cause of paper feed issues is a build up of dust on the printer's rear paper feed roller. This roller consists of a plastic axle white roller. This is located in the automatic sheet feeder and is referred to as the "Pick Roller." As dust builds up on the rubber rollers, they become less tacky and therefore unable to grab a single sheet of paper.
To prevent and/or cure this type of paper feed problem, these rubber rollers should be cleaned. Unplug the printer's power cord and remove the paper from the automatic sheet feeder. Please remove the paper access door from back of the printer and clean the white rollers inside with a cloth dampened with warm water (be sure there is no excess water on the cloth as it may drip into the machine). After these are free of any dust, close the paper access door. Reload the paper and plug the power cord back in. The paper should then feed normally.

Next, I'd like you to attempt this printer self-test by following the steps given below:


1. Make sure the printer is off.
2. Press and hold the "Color Copy" button.
3. While holding the "Color Copy" button, press and release the "Power" button to turn the power on.
4. Wait for the "Power" light to flash off and on.
5. Release "Color Copy" button.


The self-test should at least print out a set of either black or color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously). Should this test fail, try it again without cartridges installed. If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without any cartridges installed, run the self-test again with only the color cartridge installed. (If you have both black and color cartridges, after this test, run the test again with just the black cartridge installed.) If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let us know.


If the self-test prints, but has lines or smudges or other print quality issues, let us know. This includes any print quality issues, we need to know if the problems you have with your black or color are based in the printer, or communications with your computer, or the computer's software.


If the self-test prints your test bar(s) clearly, the printer hardware is not at fault.

One common cause of paper feed issues is a build up of dust on the printer's rear paper feed roller. This roller consists of a plastic axle with one rubber roller on each side. This is located in the automatic sheet feeder and is referred to as the "Pick Roller." As dust builds up on the rubber rollers, they become less tacky and therefore unable to grab a single sheet of paper.

To prevent and/or cure this type of paper feed problem, these rubber rollers should be cleaned. Unplug the printer's power cord and remove the paper from the automatic sheet feeder. Locate the pick roller and clean the rubber wheels on the left and right with a cloth dampened with warm water (be sure there is no excess water on the cloth as it may drip into the machine). After these are free of any dust or ink build up, reload the paper and plug the power cord back in. The paper should then feed normally.

Next, I'd like you to attempt this printer self-test by following the steps given below:
1. Disconnect the power cord from the back of the printer.
2. Press and hold the button on the printer panel.
3. Reconnect the power cord and keep holding the button on the printer panel until the printer starts to pull paper.
4. The printer should now print a test page. Please note that the test is continuous. To stop the test, disconnect the power cord.


The self-test should at least print out a set of either black or color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously). Should this test fail, try it again without cartridges installed. If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without any cartridges installed, run the self-test again with only the color cartridge installed. (If you have both black and color cartridges, after this test, run the test again with just the black cartridge installed.) If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let us know.


If the self-test prints, but has lines or smudges or other print quality issues, let us know. This includes any print quality issues, we need to know if the problems you have with your black or color are based in the printer, or communications with your computer, or the computer's software.


If the self-test prints your test bar(s) clearly, the printer hardware is not at fault.

It seems there is a possibility of a problem with the printer itself, or perhaps the cartridges. You should first self-test the printer. Since we are unsure where the problem exists, we must do eliminative troubleshooting to rule out parts of the printing system. The self-test allows us to rule out software and the cable by testing the hardware by itself. Please note that this is not a "fix," but rather a diagnostic test to determine if your hardware is at fault.
Please begin by disconnecting the power supply from the wall (not the back of the printer) for at least "30 seconds." Then plug the printer back in.
Next, try this printer self-test by following the steps given below:
1. Power the printer off.
2. Press and hold the "Paper Feed" button.
3. While still holding the "Paper Feed" button, press and release the "Power" button. Continue holding the "Paper Feed" button.
4. When the printer starts pulling paper, release the "Paper Feed" button. It should print a test page at this point.
5. Power the printer off, as this test is continuous.
The self-test should at least print out a set of either a solid black or solid color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously). Should this test fail, please try it again without cartridges installed. If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without any cartridges installed, run the self-test again with only a color cartridge installed (If you have both black and color cartridges, after this test, run the test again with just the black cartridge installed). If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let us know.
If the self-test prints, but has lines or smudges or other print quality issues, please let us know. This includes any print quality issues - we need to know if the problems you have with your black or color are based in the printer, or communications with your computer, or the computer's software.
If the self-test prints your test bar(s) clearly, the printer hardware is not at fault. The issue may be a communication problem, or perhaps a software conflict.

It seems there is a possibility of a problem with the printer itself, or perhaps the cartridges. You should first self-test the printer. Since we are unsure where the problem exists, we must do eliminative troubleshooting to rule out parts of the printing system. The self-test allows us to rule out software and the cable by testing the hardware by itself.

Please note that this is not a "fix," but rather a diagnostic test to determine if your hardware is at fault.  

Please begin by disconnecting the power supply from the wall (not the back of the printer) for at least "30 seconds." Then plug the printer back in.

Next, try this printer self-test by following the steps given below:

1. Power the printer off.
2. Press and hold the "Paper Feed" button.
3. While still holding the "Paper Feed" button, press and release the "Power" button. Continue holding the "Paper Feed" button.
4. When the printer starts pulling paper, release the "Paper Feed" button. It should print a test page at this point.
5. Power the printer off, as this test is continuous.

The self-test should at least print out a set of either a solid black or solid color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously). Should this test fail, please try it again without cartridges installed. If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without any cartridges installed, run the self-test again with only a color cartridge installed (If you have both black and color cartridges, after this test, run the test again with just the black cartridge installed). If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let us know.
If the self-test prints, but has lines or smudges or other print quality issues, please let us know. This includes any print quality issues - we need to know if the problems you have with your black or color are based in the printer, or communications with your computer, or the computer's software.

If the self-test prints your test bar(s) clearly, the printer hardware is not at fault. The issue may be a communication problem, or perhaps a software conflict.

You may clean the cartridge by following the steps given below:

1. Go to the "Lexmark solution center." This can be done by clicking on "Start," go to "All Programs" and Lexmark printer group. Click on the "Lexmark Solution center." Next click on the "Maintenance" Tab.
2. Select "Clean and Fix Horizontal streaks." Click on "Print". This will produce a printed page.
The colors that you should see here are black, yellow, magenta (a reddish purple) and cyan (a dark sky blue). You should notice the diagonal lines above and below the solid horizontal lines. These diagonal lines should be solid from left to right with no gaps.
If there are gaps in the lines or the print diminishes across the page, you should run the "Clean Print Nozzle" page a couple more times to try and clear it up. If you still have gaps at the top and bottom, you should "wick" the cartridges by following the steps given below:
1. Please open the "Solution center" again and go to the "Maintenance" Tab.
2. Select "Install color/black cartridge" and remove the cartridge or cartridges from the printer.
3. Get a damp paper towel.
4. Set the ink cartridge right side up on the damp paper towel so that the ink nozzles are against the towel and hold the cartridge in this position for about 15 seconds.
5. Now wipe the print head (on the bottom where the ink comes out) across in one direction only (left to right) until it looks clean.
6. Next dab the cartridge on the towel to make sure that the ink is flowing.
7. Snap the cartridges back into the printer.
8. On your computer, select "Old Cartridge install."
9. Repeat the "Clean Nozzle Page" one more time. If this fails to address the problem the entire procedure may need repeating.

Next, try this printer self-test by following the steps given below:

1. Turn the power to the printer "off."
2. Press and hold the "Paper Feed" button.
3. Press the "Power" button once while continuing to hold the "Paper Feed" button.
4. Keep holding the "Paper Feed" button until one sheet is cycled through.
5. The test is continuous.

The self-test should at least print out a set of either a solid black or solid color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously). Should this test fail, try it again without cartridges installed. If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without any cartridges installed, run the self-test again with only a color cartridge installed. (If you have both black and color cartridges, after this test, run the test again with just the black cartridge installed.) If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let us know.

If the self-test prints, but has lines or smudges or other print quality issues, let us know.

It seems there is a possibility of a problem with the printer itself, or perhaps the cartridges. You should first self-test the printer. Since we are unsure where the problem exists, we must do eliminative troubleshooting to rule out parts of the printing system. The self-test allows us to rule out software and the cable by testing the hardware by itself. Please note that this is not a "fix," but rather a diagnostic test to determine if your hardware is at fault.

Please disconnect and then reconnect the power supply on the printer and make sure it makes a setup noise when the cable is reattached. Will the printer perform a form feed with paper loaded when the purple/silver button is pressed?

Next, I'd like you to attempt this printer self-test by following the steps given below:

1. Press the "Settings" button on the printer.
2. Press the checkmark button when you see "Maintenance" on the display. 3. Press the right or left arrow key until you see "Print Test Page," then press the checkmark button.

The self-test should at least print out a set of either black or color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously). Should this test fail, try it again without cartridges installed. If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without any cartridges installed, run the self-test again with only the color cartridge installed. (If you have both black and color cartridges, after this test, run the test again with just the black cartridge installed.) If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let us know.

If the self-test prints, but has lines or smudges or other print quality issues, let us know. This includes any print quality issues, we need to know if the problems you have with your black or color are based in the printer, or communications with your computer, or the computer's software.

If the self-test prints your test bar(s) clearly, the printer hardware is not at fault. The issue may be a communication problem, or perhaps a software conflict.

However, please let us know the windows operating system installed on the computer.(Windows XP / 2K / NT, Windows Vista, Mac)

You may clean the cartridge by following the steps given below:

1. Remove the cartridge or cartridges from the printer.
2. Get a damp paper towel.
3. Set the ink cartridge right side up on the damp paper towel so that the ink nozzles are against the towel and hold the cartridge in this position for about 15 seconds.
4. Now wipe the print head (on the bottom where the ink comes out) across in one direction only (left to right) until it looks clean.
5. Next dab the cartridge on the towel to make sure that the ink is flowing.
6. Snap the cartridges back into the printer.

Next, I'd like you to attempt this printer self-test by following the steps given below:

1. Disconnect the power cord from the back of the printer.
2. Press and hold the button on the printer panel.
3. Reconnect the power cord and keep holding the button on the printer panel until the printer starts to pull paper.
4. The printer should now print a test page. Please note that the test is continuous. To stop the test, disconnect the power cord.

The self-test should at least print out a set of either black or color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously). Should this test fail, try it again without cartridges installed. If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without any cartridges installed, run the self-test again with only the color cartridge installed. (If you have both black and color cartridges, after this test, run the test again with just the black cartridge installed.) If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let us know.

If the self-test prints, but has lines or smudges or other print quality issues, let us know.

It seems there is a possibility of a problem with the printer itself, or perhaps the cartridges. You should first self-test the printer. Since we are unsure where the problem exists, we must do eliminative troubleshooting to rule out parts of the printing system. The self-test allows us to rule out software and the cable by testing the hardware by itself. Please note that this is not a "fix," but rather a diagnostic test to determine if your hardware is at fault.

Please begin by disconnecting the power supply from the wall (not the back of the printer) for at least "30 seconds." Then plug the printer back in.

Next, try this printer self-test by following the steps given below:

1. Power the printer off.
2. Press and hold the "Paper Feed" button.
3. While still holding the "Paper Feed" button, press and release the "Power" button. Continue holding the "Paper Feed" button.
4. When the printer starts pulling paper, release the "Paper Feed" button. It should print a test page at this point.
5. Power the printer off, as this test is continuous.

The self-test should at least print out a set of either a solid black or solid color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously). Should this test fail, please try it again without cartridges installed. If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without any cartridges installed, run the self-test again with only a color cartridge installed (If you have both black and color cartridges, after this test, run the test again with just the black cartridge installed). If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let us know.

If the self-test prints, but has lines or smudges or other print quality issues, please let us know. This includes any print quality issues - we need to know if the problems you have with your black or color are based in the printer, or communications with your computer, or the computer's software.

If the self-test prints your test bar(s) clearly, the printer hardware is not at fault. The issue may be a communication problem, or perhaps a software conflict.

However, let us know the operating system that is installed on your computer.

Please remove the cartridges from the printer. Take a dry lint free paper towel and gently wipe the contacts on the back of the cartridge (not the bottom from where ink is present). Wipe the contacts inside the printer (on cartridge carrier). Please snap the cartridges back into the cartridge carrier.

Next, try this printer self-test by following the steps given below:

1. Please turn OFF the printer.
2. Press and hold the "Color copy" button.
3. Now, turn ON the printer.
4. Once you see "0" on the display, release the "Color copy" button.
5. Press the Up arrow button until "2"appears on the display.
6. Press the "Black copy" button to start the self test. Once the page has printed, the printer will stop printing.

The self-test should at least print out a set of either black or color bars, if not both (if you have a printer with both color and black installed simultaneously). Should this test fail, try it again without cartridges installed. If the self-test still fails to take paper in and make sounds like the carrier is moving across the paper, this is a hardware issue, and the printer will require service. If the self-test completes without any cartridges installed, run the self-test again with the color cartridge installed by itself. (If you have both black and color cartridges, after this test, run the test again with just the black cartridge installed.) If you find that either cartridge causes the self-test to fail, please let me know.


If the self-test prints, but has lines or smudges or other print quality issues, let us know. This includes any print quality issues, we need to know if the problems you have with your black or color are based in the printer, or communications with your computer, or the computer's software.

If the self-test prints your test bar(s) clearly, the printer hardware is not at fault.