Cleaning Paper Feed Rollers for a Flawless Print: Troubleshooting Printer Marks

Question: 
My printer leaves a long mark on the copy I printed. Why? The bruise measures approximately 1cm across and 3cm long. What might this be due to?
 
Answer:
Thank you for your inquiry and continued trust in BCH Technologies and our YouTube channel BCH Technologies (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I realize printing problems like these are urgent and frustrating. At BCH Technologies, we take these concerns very seriously and are committed to providing the most comprehensive and informative answers possible. Let’s look into your issue and see how we can address it.
 
From your description and the attached image, the problem seems to be caused by your printer’s paper feed roller. This essential part helps pull paper through the printer and align it during printing. But when it's dirty or is pushed past its limits with thicker paper, it can leave unsightly marks on your prints.
 
What Causes the Mark?

• Dirty Paper Feed Rollers: Constant dust, ink residue, and debris exposure leads to dirt accumulating on these rollers over time. This buildup creates a residue that can transfer onto your paper and leave ugly marks.
• Thick Paper: The paper feed roller is not appropriately used with thick paper or cardstock. The extra pressure required to drag the paper through the printer may leave a visible impression from the roller.
• Misaligned Platen: While the platen is sometimes adjustable for thicker paper (it shouldn’t be compressed against your paper), it doesn’t affect how the paper feed roller interacts with the paper, and this can leave marks.

Steps to Fix the Issue
 
Clean the Paper Feed Rollers:

• Find the paper feed rollers inside your printer. Consult your printer manual if needed.
• Use a lint-free cloth that is lightly moistened with water or isopropyl alcohol.
• Remove the rollers softly and wipe their surfaces to avoid debris or residue.
• Could you let the rollers dry entirely before trying to print again?

Adjust Printer Settings:

• You can set the printer for the specific paper type if you regularly use thicker paper. This Helps To Relieve the Load on the Rollers
• Could you look in your printer manual for instructions on changing the platen settings to accommodate thicker media?

Regular Maintenance:

• Cleaning the paper feed rollers should be part of your regular printer maintenance routine to avoid this problem in the future.
• When selecting paper, it’s better to use high-quality paper that is also compatible, as it produces less debris and wears the rollers less.

 
Dealing with printer-only issues can be a messy component because of the hands-on nature of the issues. So, I cannot remotely troubleshoot, suggest, or support the printer repairs. (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service) offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility. However, we are high in demand on a first-come, first-served basis, so you'll likely wait a week or two to drop your printer off.
We have all printers gone through, and we explain how to repair specific parts. However, we admit our rates are not the cheapest. So we highly encourage the self-help option with access to the internet. Try YouTube or our own YouTube Channel's landing page (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), searching for specific videos you want to watch with the search icon beside "About" in the upper right-hand corner of the menu bar. YouTube might also recommend related videos from other creators that could be useful.
 
Thanks again for writing in. Your engagement will allow us to keep improving as technical experts! Feel free to ask if you have more questions!