Knowledge Base

Article Summary:

How to troubleshoot ghosting on Dell 3330dn laser printers

Example of ghosting:



Table of Contents:

1. Check media is compatible and media type is correctly set
2. Clean the charge roller
3. Check and clean the toner and drum contacts
4. Replace the toner cartridge
5. Replace the imaging drum
6. Perform a stop test

---

1.	Check media is compatible and media type is correctly set

Incompatible print media may cause print quality issues. Check the print media guidelines for information on supported media types.

Ensure the media type is correctly set on the printer front panel and in the print driver.

To set the media type on the printer front panel:

1. Press the Menu button.
2. Select Paper Menu.
3. Press the Down Arrow until Paper Size/Type is highlighted then press Select.
4. Press the Down Arrow until the correct source (Tray 1, Tray 2, MPF) is highlighted then press Select.
5. Press the Right Arrow until the correct size (A4, A5, etc.) appears then press Select.
6. Press the Right Arrow until the correct type (Plain, Label, etc.) appears then press Select.
7. Submitting Selection is displayed.

To set the media type in the print driver:

1. Open the printing preferences dialogue on your PC.
2. Select the tab marked Paper.
3. Check the Paper type setting matches the media physically present and set from the front panel.

Back to Top

---

2.	Clean the charge roller

Loose toner or other contamination on the charge roller may cause print quality issues.

To clean the charge roller:

1. Switch the printer off.
2. Open the front cover, remove the toner and drum.
   
   
   
   
3. Press and hold the button on the imaging drum located below and to the left of the toner cartridge handle. Pull on the blue plastic toner cartridge handle to separate the toner and drum.
   
   
   
   
4. Locate the beige charge roller on the imaging drum. Clean the charge roller using a dry cloth or tissue.
   
   
   
   
5. Re-insert the toner cartridge in to the imaging drum and insert the assembled unit in to the printer.

Back to Top

---

3.	Check and clean the toner and drum contacts

1. Switch the printer off.
2. Open the front door, remove the toner cartridge and drum.
   
   
   
   
3. Locate the drum and toner contacts on the right of the toner bay.
   
   
   
   Check for damage, wipe away any loose toner.
4. Locate the contacts on the underside of the toner cartridge.
   
   
   
   Check for damage, wipe away any loose toner.
5. Locate the contacts on the right side of the imaging drum.
   
   
   
   Check for damage, wipe away any loose toner.
6. Reinsert the toner and drum, close the cover, switch the printer on.

Back to Top

---

4.	Replace the toner cartridge

Replace the toner cartridge if possible.

Ensure the replacement toner is either new, or a cartridge you know works correctly.

Back to Top

---

5.	Replace the imaging drum

Replace the imaging drum if possible.

Ensure the replacement drum is either new, or a drum you know works correctly.

Back to Top

---

6.	Perform a stop test

Stopping the paper part way through the printer can help identify where the problem is occurring.

To perform a stop test:

1. Open the rear door.
2. Print a single sided page.
3. As soon as the paper comes in to view at the back of the printer, switch the power off to stop the paper part way through the fuser unit (heated rollers at the rear of the printer).
   
   
   
   
4. Open the front cover, remove the toner and drum.
   
   
   
   
5. Check the area of the page which has been printed but has not yet passed through the fuser unit.
   
   
   
   

If the problem is visible before the fuser unit replace the toner first, then the drum if you have not already done so.

If this does not resolve the problem, or the issue occurs only after the fuser, contact technical support for assistance.

Back to Top

---

If you require further assistance or wish to give us feedback, please engage our technical team on Twitter.


 

Quick Tips content is self-published by the Dell Support Professionals who resolve issues daily. In order to achieve a speedy publication, Quick Tips may represent only partial solutions or work-arounds that are still in development or pending further proof of successfully resolving an issue. As such Quick Tips have not been reviewed, validated or approved by Dell and should be used with appropriate caution. Dell shall not be liable for any loss, including but not limited to loss of data, loss of profit or loss of revenue, which customers may incur by following any procedure or advice set out in the Quick Tips.