Rollers in a laser printer transfer text from the printer mechanism to the paper. When it fails to function properly, the quality of your prints may suffer. Streaking, squealing, jamming, and odours coming from the printer are all symptoms of a bad transfer roller. To restore your prints to their normal high quality, troubleshoot your transfer rollers.
Streaking
It’s possible that the roller is dirty if your printout appears lighter than it should or streaky in some places. Use a soft, dry cloth that won’t leave lint behind to clean it. Allowing liquid to touch the transfer roller can damage the unit and prevent it from properly transferring toner. If the print job is not only streaky but also splotched with black ink, the transfer roller should be replaced.
Squealing
Squealing indicates that the transfer roller is not properly positioned or that the clips that hold it are broken. To avoid damaging other components, remove the transfer roller from the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions for your printer. When you push down on the left and right sides of the transfer roller, it should feel flat and springy. If repositioning doesn’t work, replace the transfer roller; if the clips are broken, have a professional replace the printer assembly.
Jamming
If your paper is jamming at the transfer roller, the hardware in the printer may be positioned incorrectly. Removing the transfer roller and replacing it correctly can help paper flow normally through the printer again. Wear gloves or handle the transfer roller from the ends to keep oils off the unit when removing it. When a new printer arrives, always readjust the transfer rollers because they can shift during transport.
Odors
If the printer emits an unusual odour, the transfer roller may be dirty or interacting incorrectly with another part. In either case, as soon as you notice the odour, stop all print jobs, remove the printer roller, and then wipe it before replacing it in the machine. When it’s back in place, print some test files to see if it’s working properly.
