If you are experiencing the issue of a thick black line appearing on your prints from your Hewlett Packard (HP) LaserJet Pro 500 printer, you are not alone. This problem can be frustrating and can negatively impact the quality of your prints. In this article, we will explore the possible causes of this issue and provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix it.
Why is my printer printing a thick black line?
There can be several reasons why your HP printer is printing a thick black line on your documents. One possible cause is a dirty corona wire. The corona wire is responsible for transferring the toner onto the paper during the printing process. If it is dirty, it can result in the formation of horizontal lines on your prints.
Another possible cause is a faulty toner cartridge. If the toner cartridge is damaged or defective, it can also lead to the formation of black lines on your prints. Additionally, the drum unit may be the culprit. If the drum unit is dirty or worn out, it can cause horizontal lines to appear on your prints.
How to identify the cause of the issue
To identify the cause of the thick black line on your prints, follow these steps:
- Download a test pattern from the link provided below and print it.
- Test pattern download link
- Review the printed test pattern to identify the color causing the problem.
- If the horizontal line is present from top to bottom on both pages of the test pattern, proceed to Step 3 to clean the corona wire.
- If the horizontal line is only seen in one of the four boxes on the test pattern, replace the toner cartridge of the corresponding color.
- Cleaning the corona wire
- Press down on the front cover release button to open the front cover of the printer.
- Hold the green handle of the drum unit and pull it out until it stops.
- Hold the handle of the toner cartridge and slightly push it toward the machine to unlock it. Then, pull it out of the drum unit. Repeat this step for all the toner cartridges.
- Push to release the latches of the corona wire cover and open the cover. Clean the corona wire inside the drum unit by gently sliding the green tab from left to right several times. Be sure to return the tab to the home position.
- Close the corona wire cover and repeat the cleaning process for the remaining three corona wires.
- Reinstall the toner cartridges and push the drum unit back into the printer until it clicks into place. Close the front cover of the machine.
- Print the test pattern again or print a document from your computer to check if the issue is resolved. If the problem persists, proceed to Step
- If the document prints fine, the issue is resolved.
- If the problem continues, replace the drum unit with a new one.
It is important to note that HP recommends using genuine HP drum units and toner cartridges for optimal performance and print quality. Using non-HP supplies may affect the hardware performance, print quality, and machine reliability, and may void the warranty.
Hp driver issues: download, install, and fix guideHow to fix horizontal streaks on your printer
If your printer is experiencing horizontal streaks on your prints, follow these steps to fix the issue:
- Make sure that the printer is turned on and connected to your computer.
- Open the printer software on your computer.
- Click on the maintenance or tools tab in the printer software.
- Select the option to clean the print heads or perform a print head alignment.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the cleaning or alignment process.
- Once the process is complete, print a test page to check if the horizontal streaks have been resolved.
If the issue persists after performing the above steps, you may need to contact HP customer support for further assistance.
The Hewlett Packard LaserJet Pro 500 Black Line Horizontal Thick issue can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, it can be resolved. By identifying the cause of the problem and following the recommended solutions, you can get your printer back to producing high-quality prints. Remember to use genuine HP supplies for optimal performance and reliability. If the issue persists, don't hesitate to reach out to HP customer support for assistance.