If you are having difficulty with your machine, If you are having difficulty with your machine -8, 13 - 8 troubleshooting and routine maintenance – Nordic Star Products MFC-3420C User Manual
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13 - 8 TROUBLESHOOTING AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
If you are having difficulty with your machine
If you think there is a problem with your machine or the way your 
faxes look, make a copy first. If the copy looks good, the problem is 
probably not your machine. Check the chart below and follow the 
troubleshooting tips.
DIFFICULTY
SUGGESTIONS
Printing or Receiving Faxes
Condensed print and white 
streaks across the page or the 
top and bottom of sentences 
are cut off.
This can be caused by static or interference on the telephone line. You 
can make a copy using the Mono Start key to see if the same problem 
occurs. If the copy is also bad, call your Brother dealer for service.
Poor quality print.
Make sure the Printer Driver or Paper Type setting in the menu matches 
the type of paper you are using. (See Media Type on page 1-6 in 
Software User’s Guide on the CD-ROM and Setting the Paper Type on 
page 4-7.) If you are using plain paper, try using the types of 
recommended paper. (See About paper on page 2-4.) Don’t handle the 
paper until the ink is dry. Adjust the Vertical Alignment. (See Print quality 
check on page 13-12.)
Smudged stain at the top 
center of the printed page.
Make sure the paper is not too thick or not curled. (See About paper on 
page 2-4.) 
Printing is too dark or too light.
Make sure your ink cartridges are fresh. Cartridges are good for up to 
two years, after that the ink may become clogged. Cartridge expiration 
dates are printed on the package. Make sure the Printer Driver matches 
the type of paper you are using. (See Media Type on page 1-6 in 
Software User’s Guide on the CD-ROM.) Try using the recommended 
types of paper. (See About paper on page 2-4.) The recommended 
environment for your machine is between 20°C to 33°C.
Printing appears dirty or ink 
seems to run.
Make sure you are using the proper types of paper. (See About paper 
on page 2-4.) Don’t handle the paper until the ink is dry.
The recommended environment for your machine is between 20°C to 
33°C.
White horizontal lines appear 
in text or graphics.
Clean the print heads. (See Cleaning the print head on page 13-12.)
Stains appear on the reverse 
side or at the bottom of the 
page
Make sure the Printer Platen is not dirty with ink. (See Cleaning the 
machine printer platen on page 13-20.)
Vertical black lines when 
receiving.
The sender’s scanner may be dirty. Ask the sender to make a copy to 
see if the problem is on with the sending machine. Try receiving from 
another fax machine.
If the copy is also bad, call your Brother dealer for service.
Received colour fax prints only 
in black and white.
Replace the colour ink cartridges that are empty or nearly empty, and 
then ask the other person to send the colour fax again. (See Replacing 
the ink cartridges on page 13-21.) Check that Fax Storage is set to OFF. 
(See Setting Fax Storage on page 8-2.)
Left and Right margins are cut 
off or a single page is printed 
on two pages.
Turn on Auto Reduction. (See Printing a reduced incoming fax (Auto 
Reduction) on page 5-6.)
