Why Is My Printer Printing Lines?

07/22/2026

If your printer is producing pages with streaks, stripes, or faded bands running across them, you are not alone. This is one of the most common printing problems, and in most cases it can be fixed at home without calling a technician.

This guide explains the most common reasons your printer is printing lines and how to fix each one.

What Causes a Printer to Print Lines?

Cause	Inkjet Printer	Laser Printer	Solution
Low or empty ink or toner	Yes	Yes	Replace the cartridge
Clogged printhead	Yes	No	Run a printhead cleaning cycle
Dirty printer components	Yes	Yes	Clean the inside of the printer
Damaged cartridge	Yes	Yes	Install a new cartridge
Poor quality paper	Yes	Yes	Use clean, recommended paper
Worn drum unit	No	Yes	Replace the drum unit
Incorrect print settings	Yes	Yes	Adjust the print quality settings

➜ Low or Empty Ink or Toner

Low ink or toner is one of the most common reasons a printer prints lines.

When there is not enough ink or toner, the printer cannot distribute it evenly across the page, which can result in horizontal or vertical lines.

How To Fix It

Check the ink or toner levels using your printer's control panel or software
If an ink or toner cartridge is low or empty, replace it with a new one. Using an original cartridge can help maintain consistent print quality.
If you're using a laser printer and the toner is low, gently rock the toner cartridge from side to side a few times before reinstalling it. This can temporarily redistribute the remaining toner and improve print quality, but it is only a short-term solution.
Print a test page to confirm the issue has been resolved.

➜ Clogged Printhead (Inkjet Printers)

Inkjet printers push tiny drops of ink through very small nozzles.

Over time, especially if the printer sits unused for a while, ink can dry and block some of these nozzles.

When that happens, parts of the image or text do not print, which shows up as thin white lines.

How To Fix It

Open the printer software on your computer or use the printer's control panel.
Go to the Maintenance or Tools section.
Select Printhead Cleaning or Nozzle Cleaning and run the cleaning cycle.
Print a test page. If lines still appear, repeat the cleaning cycle one or two more times, waiting a few minutes between each cycle.
If the problem continues after several cleaning cycles, check your printer's manual for instructions on manual printhead cleaning. Some printers allow you to remove the printhead for cleaning, while others do not.

➜ Dirty Printer Components

Dust, paper fibers, dried ink, and toner particles can collect inside the printer over time.

This buildup may interfere with printing and leave unwanted lines or marks on the page.

How To Fix It

Turn off and unplug the printer.
Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently clean accessible areas inside the printer.
Remove any loose paper scraps or dust.
For laser printers, avoid touching the drum surface with your fingers.

➜ Damaged Ink or Toner Cartridge

A damaged cartridge may leak or fail to distribute ink or toner evenly.

As a result, lines or repeated marks may appear in the same place on every page.

How To Fix It

Remove the cartridge and inspect it for cracks, leaks, or other damage.
Replace the cartridge if it appears damaged.
Print a test page to confirm the problem has been solved.

➜ Worn Drum Unit (Laser Printers)

This issue only affects laser printers. The drum unit transfers toner onto the paper.

As it wears out, it may leave repeating lines or marks in the same location on every printed page.

How To Fix It

Check if your printer uses a separate drum unit
Inspect the drum if your printer manual recommends doing so
Replace the drum unit if it has reached the end of its lifespan.

➜ Old or Poor Quality Paper

Paper that is damp, dusty, or low quality can also cause uneven printing.

This is less common but worth ruling out if other fixes do not help.

How To Fix It

Replace the paper with a fresh stack
Store paper in a cool, dry place
Use paper recommended for your printer model
Check that the paper is loaded correctly in the tray.

➜ Incorrect Print Settings

Sometimes the printer is working properly, but the print settings are causing poor print quality.

Using the wrong paper type or printing in Draft mode can create uneven results.

How To Fix It

Open your printer settings
Select the correct paper type
Change the print quality from Draft to Standard or Best
Print another page to check if the lines are gone.

Other Possible Causes

The issues above are responsible for most cases, but a few other problems can also cause lines when printing.

➜ Printhead Misalignment

Inkjet printers sometimes need printhead alignment.

If the printhead is not properly aligned, text and images may contain thin lines or appear blurry.

How To Fix It

Open the printer's maintenance menu
Run the Printhead Alignment tool
Print a test page after the alignment is complete.

➜ Outdated Printer Driver

An outdated or corrupted printer driver can sometimes cause printing problems, including unexpected lines or poor print quality.

How To Fix It

Download the latest driver from your printer manufacturer's website
Install the updated driver
Restart both your computer and printer
Print a test page.

How To Prevent Printer Lines

Regular maintenance can help prevent printing problems and extend the life of your printer.

Print at least one page every week if you have an inkjet printer
Replace ink or toner before it runs empty
Clean your printer regularly
Store paper in a dry place
Use the correct paper type for your printer.
Keep your printer software and drivers up to date

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my printer printing vertical lines?

Vertical lines are often caused by a damaged toner cartridge, a worn drum unit, or a clogged printhead in inkjet printers.

Why is my printer printing horizontal lines?

Horizontal lines are usually caused by clogged printheads, low ink or toner levels, dirty printer components, or incorrect print settings.

Can low ink cause lines when printing?

Yes. Low ink or toner can lead to uneven coverage, which often appears as lines or streaks on the page.

Will cleaning the printhead fix printer lines?

Yes. If clogged nozzles are causing the problem, running the built-in printhead cleaning tool often restores normal print quality.