p.1 #1 · ISSUE SOLVED: odd printer problem with changing font size
This is a printer question, but not a photo printer question. But there is a lot of expertise here and I can't find the answer anywhere else.
I have a multifunction Canon laser printer-scanner-copier that has worked well for several years. Suddenly, it started printing documents where the font would change size on several lines in that the font would be either squashed down and looked like it was bolded or stretched up. This happens mostly on a line basis, but sometimes it happens in the middle of a line, then goes back to normal, then again either compresses or stretches the font.
The biggest clue I have as to the source of the malfunction is that this happens also if I just copy a page of text using the copier function! The original is perfectly normal. I auto feed the page in and the copy comes out with distorted lines of font, some compressed and some stretched and some normal.
Any ideas? I am tempted to just replace the unit, but obviously I would prefer an easier fix.
p.1 #5 · ISSUE SOLVED: odd printer problem with changing font size
chiron wrote:
Here is an image of the distorted text I am getting. It happens whether I am printing or using the copier function:
Could this be a problem with the paper not being transported at a uniform speed? When it slows down, the text is compressed and when it speeds back up (going too fast for a moment) the text gets stretched? That would account for why it happens whether I am printing or copying--because both use the paper transport mechanism. If so, that may be the end of the printer, unless there is something to clean.
But does make sense that this would happen line by line? Maybe, if there is some form of cog-wheel effect.
p.1 #8 · ISSUE SOLVED: odd printer problem with changing font size
Looks like a paper transport problem. You may want to look in the maintenance section of the users manual to see how to clean the drive rollers. If it's not just crap on the drive rollers I suspect it will require Canon repair or maintenance.
p.1 #10 · ISSUE SOLVED: odd printer problem with changing font size
mkuznicki wrote:
I don't know what the chances of success are, but one quick and easy test would be to uninstall/reinstall the driver.
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John Wheeler wrote:
Hi Chiron
If you don't find an answer on this web site, this dedicated forum on printers may be of help: https://www.printerknowledge.com/
John Wheeer
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EB-1 wrote:
It definitely looks like a mechanical problem, possibly triggered by something else like the change you mentioned.
EBH
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dclark wrote:
Looks like a paper transport problem. You may want to look in the maintenance section of the users manual to see how to clean the drive rollers. If it's not just crap on the drive rollers I suspect it will require Canon repair or maintenance.
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mcbroomf wrote:
I think you used to be able to buy "sticky" paper and feed it through to clean rollers. It certainly looks like a paper feed issue.
I did clean whatever there was to clean on this printer including running paper through a special cleaning cycle, but that made no difference.
However, it occurred to me to wonder if a defective toner cartridge could have anything to do with the issue, and when I pulled the toner cartridge, I saw that there was a roller and cog wheel on the cartridge!
When I changed the cartridge, the problem disappeared! Yay! That's what I get for buying non-Canon cartridges.
p.1 #11 · ISSUE SOLVED: odd printer problem with changing font size
Any cartridge can go wrong at any time; they have a lot of moving parts in them.
I've had brand-name stuff die on me (out of warranty) as well as no-name stuff. They all seemed to print the same when they were working, and the cost difference is very significant. However, I'm much less willing to risk the colour accuracy and consistency by going off-brand with my photo printer.
