General 'Scanner' Glass Cleaning Suggestions For Vertical Lines or Smudges ('11)

Document ID:SO6289
 
11/09/12 Properties  

Problem

Copy lines; Fax scan lines; Flatbed smudges; Steaks; Dots; Marks; Vertical lines; Auto document feeder scan anomaly; ADF scanning problem; Scan issue; Scanner issue; Visible line; Streaks show on page; solid line down the page; Top to bottom line; Smudge runs down the page; Opaque line; Broken line; Bar down the page

Solution

Overview


Cleaning suggestions for any scanner are generally the same regardless of the model number.

IMPORTANT! Scan anomalies are seldom a scanner hardware failure; they are most often caused by debris or marks on the scanner glass.

 

Test


Print an internal printer Test Page to confirm whether this a printer or scanner problem.

Results and decision table

If... Then... And...
Internal test pages still show the problem... This article is not for you.

Consider any one of the following culprits:

  • Charge roller
  • Laser lens contamination
  • Fuser roller (smudges)
  • Transfer roller (smudges)
  • Toner cartridge anomaly
  • Image Transfer Unit anomaly
Internal test pages look fine. This article is for you. Start with identification of scan symptoms below.
 

 

Scan Symptoms


Debris or marks on the scanner glass can affect the quality of any scan job: copy, fax, scan-to-file, or e-mail.

You can quickly identify this problem by confirming the following behavior.

    • First, normal print jobs and test pages look fine.
    • Vertical lines are visible when using the Auto document Feeder (ADF).
    • The placement of vertical line(s) is in the same position on every scan. 
    • Flatbed scans have black spots or smudges, but ADF scans look fine. 

ADF vertical line scan example

 

 

 

Scanner glass locations


Most scanners have two scanning surface areas, as detailed below and indicated in the image.

  1. ADF scanner
  2. Flatbed


Most current scanners as of 2010

 

 

X443 and X3200 scanners

 

X242 and X3100 scanners

 

X422 ADF scanner glass

 

 

 

 

 

Auto Document Feeder (ADF) scan behavior


The image processor interprets the image sensor's repeated capture of this contamination as a vertical solid line, as shown below.  


 


 

 

 

Suggested Remedy


Recommended supplies

You can purchase Lexmark's Klear touch-screen wipes (Item# 40X0392) from the Lexmark store or participating vendors.

Otherwise, a clean and soft lint-free cloth is recommended. 

Step Action
1

Locate the proper section of glass.

Hint: The glass location differs by model. See above illustrations or reference your User's Guide for more information if you are having a difficult time locating this designated area.   
2

Perform an inspection of the glass for any of the following:

  • Clear adhesive tape
  • Glue
  • Ink pen
  • Paper
  • Marker
  • White out
  • Staples
  • Environmental dust or dirt 
Hint: Ink marks are especially hard to see and can be almost translucent.
3

Clean and remove any marks or debris.  

Note: Use the "Klear" touch screen wipes or a water-moistened cloth. A mild solvent is allowed, but do not use any cleaning solutions that contain abrasive ingredients. 
4 Inspect and clean the underside of the ADF (plastic strips) and the flatbed pad as necessary.
5 Perform another scan.
6

Repeat the procedure if the problem persists.
7

An additional suggestion for ADF issues

Place an intentional mark on a blank sheet of paper and take note of its location.
8 Make an ADF copy with your newly marked page.
9 Evaluate the distance of the vertical line to your mark. This should help identify the glass location.
10 Try to inspect this area of the ADF glass and clean as necessary. 
11 Check and clean the white reflective strips in the corresponding area on the underside of the ADF.

IMPORTANT! The image sensor is extremely sensitive and can read through the page. A mark on any white plastic surface (ADF reflection strips or flatbed pad) could result in a scan quality issue.

 

 

Other Possibilities


If... Then...
Vertical lines appear only when printing... Consider other printer-related topics such as toner cartridge, charge roll, photoconductor, transfer roll, or fuser. Contact Lexmark Technical Support.
Vertical lines appear when you lay the page on the flatbed... Consider other printer-related topics such as toner cartridge, charge roll, photoconductor, transfer roll, or fuser. Contact Lexmark Technical Support.
Vertical lines appear on ADF-fed printed copies, but they do not appear on scan-to-network [e-mail, FTP, folder (PC), solutions]... Consider other printer-related topics such as toner cartridge, charge roll, photoconductor, transfer roll, or fuser. Contact Lexmark Technical Support.
 

 

 

Still Need Help?

 

If you need additional assistance, please see Contact information. NOTE: When calling for support, you will be asked for your scanner machine/model type and serial number (SN).

Please call from near the computer and printer in case the technician on the phone asks you to perform a task involving one of these devices.



Link:
Please enter the email address you would like to send a copy of this page to.