Last Updated on May 14, 2022 by Carlo Dach
Laser printers are widely used in offices and studios as they can produce quality prints more quickly. The regular use of laser printers can result in some issues though, mainly in its mechanical parts.
The printer drum is one crucial component of a laser printer that serves the key function of transferring the image onto paper to produce the final print. Any issues or failure of the drum can result in a severe decline in quality of the prints and the printer may stop functioning altogether. Moreover, the printer may also display error messages on its display screen when a drum failure occurs. The following are three vital signs to look for that indicate a printer drum failure.
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Blurred Prints
Blurred prints are one crucial indicator of a malfunctioning printer drum that requires immediate replacement. In some cases, the printer will also produce blank or gray prints when the drum malfunctions. It could also signal that ink toner needs to be replaced with a fresh one. If checking and replacing the toner cartridge yields the same result then the cause of blurred prints is due to printer drum. Cleaning the drum is one way to solve the issue; however, the drum unit needs to be replaced if the printer produces the same results.
Low-Quality Prints
Toner Cartridge Levels
Another major sign of a damaged printing drum is that the printer will produce prints that are low in quality. This low quality in print will result in the text and images to appear faded and lacking in detail. Yet before going for a printer troubleshooting of the drum, it is best to check the ink and toner cartridges as they can also contribute to the issue. Verify that the printer drum is functioning normally after checking the ink and toner cartridge levels. If the printer is still producing low-quality prints, it is time to replace the printer drum.
Blotches
A damaged printer drum can generate blotches or black spots on the print. The surface of printing drum can get damaged over long time use that prevents the ink and toner in properly adhering to the surface of the drum. In some cases, the appearance of blotches or black spots is also caused by the buildup of dirt and dust on the drum surface. Cleaning the drum with a clean cloth will usually resolve the problem and if not it is best to replace the printing drum altogether.
