HL-1440 Laser Printer Problems (Back ground streaks on paper)

[BuckMaster]

Ive never had any issues with my printer till now and the funny thing is my wifes HL-1440 Laser Printer is doing the samething! It prints fine but it looks like something smears on the paper as it prints. The whole back ground of the paper has light black streaks all on it. Im trying to print out a resume and doesnt look very professional because of it.

Thanks!

 

[Ionizer86]

The drum is going bad. Mine doens't quite make streaks, but it does make a few dots. Sorry, but Brother drums tend to break down like that.

<--Will be getting a Minolta or Samsung instead of a Brother HL-1440 next time.

 

[BuckMaster]

You have got to be kidding me! Both are less then a year old!? Is there a way to clean the drum?

 

[Ionizer86]

I think it's not about cleaning the drum but about how it's leaking toner, so I don't think cleaning works. Check with someone else on that though.

Once, I traded for a Brother HL-1040, and on receival, the toner cart was totally busted. The papers would print out and there would be toner covering 90% of the paper. Very unfortunate.

 

[BuckMaster]

Ionizer86 thanks for your replys! The wifes has been doing it for a good month now. I just kinda ignored her because I never felt like working on it. hehehe

Till today when mine started doing the samething. She go's yelp mine does that samething! I bet I havnt printed over 500 pages on either one. I always thought you would run out of toner before the Drum would go bad. I went ahead and e-mailed there tech-support to see what they think. Hopefully they will respond back with good news.
Ive really loved the HL-1440 Laser Printers or mine anyways. I hope Im not let down now.

I need to check the warrenty on the Drum I guess. It doesnt make since but checking prices it would be as cheap as buying a new HL-1440 Laser Printer again.

I tell you this if both Drums are bad on both these HL-1440 Laser Printers. You can bet your ass I'll never buy another one. Ive had old HP-Ink Jet Printers that out last these two printers!! If this was to happen to 1 printer I would think about buying another one thing I was just unlucky.
But having two of them both a year old doing the samething!?!?!

Think I should try posting this is the Off Topic? Wasnt sure were to post this.

Again thanks!

 

[Ionizer86]

Buckmaster, your posts are good right here

Please keep me informed here since I don't know everything about Brother drums either. Mine only make small specks right now, but someday, it may be making huge streaks :Q So tell me how warranty service goes, since I'll more than likely need an exchange someday too...

 

[AG73]

I have a hardly-used brother 1440 also, which I've owned for 1 1/2 years, and recently I've noticed that there is a faint but noticeable gray background on everything I print. Probably printed well under 1000 pages so far, any ideas? Is my problem related to buckmaster's?
thanks!

 

[BuckMaster]

AG73 it sounds like the same issue. I hope to hear from HL Brother tech support on this issue. If not I will call them. I'll try and post back ASAP when I get any new information in the next few days.

Ive owned mine abou the same 1-1/2 years the wifes I bought just last Christmas. Both doing the same thing. The reason I hate it the most is yea you can print fine, but it doesnt look very professional at all when printing resumes!!

 

[bendixG15]

I have the misfortune of owning a Brother laser printer.
Their drums have a terrible reputation for going bad early.

I had one that lasted about 2 months and died. Called Brother and
complained so hard that they sent me a free drum.

Better luck with yours

 

[masterxfob]

i had the same problems with my hl-1440. i contacted customer service and explained the problems i was having, they just told me to replace the toner cartridge. i bought a new cartridge and the streaks went away.....for a short while.

i wonder how many others have experienced the same problem

 

[Pretty Cool]

In the inkjet world, Epson is famous for clogged printheads. Laser users know that Brother drums are unreliable and die prematurely. This is nothing new as the same problem has persisted for YEARS. Search newsgroups, Amazon, or CNet and you will see what I mean. When you contact tech support, they usually do nothing. What can they do other than replacing the drum and toner? However, they will not since consumables are only warranted for roughly 90 days. How do you think they make money? By selling you $150+ drums! If you are desperate, I noticed some seller on Ebay offers a do-it-yourself kit drum repair kit for about $60. There is also some surplus company selling as-is drums. Have not used either, so try at your own risk. Even if one of these options work, you have to wonder how long the part will last. Is it worth fixing if it just dies again in less than a year?

 

[0roo0roo]

atleast for hp lasers there are repair kits and parts online.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Pretty Cool
In the inkjet world, Epson is famous for clogged printheads. Laser users know that Brother drums are unreliable and die prematurely. This is nothing new as the same problem has persisted for YEARS. Search newsgroups, Amazon, or CNet and you will see what I mean. When you contact tech support, they usually do nothing. What can they do other than replacing the drum and toner? However, they will not since consumables are only warranted for roughly 90 days. How do you think they make money? By selling you $150+ drums! If you are desperate, I noticed some seller on Ebay offers a do-it-yourself kit drum repair kit for about $60. There is also some surplus company selling as-is drums. Have not used either, so try at your own risk. Even if one of these options work, you have to wonder how long the part will last. Is it worth fixing if it just dies again in less than a year?

So who's famous for not having these problems? I also have two 1440's and have no problem yet...If I do though I'd like a heads up on a new laser since they are not much more than the drums themselves...Thanks.

 

[vegetation]

I'm putting my money elsewhere, anything other than Brother. Every Brother 1440 toner cartridge I've had needed to be junked with lots of toner left, just that the unit started leaking. Drum supposed to last 20k but I never got more than 6k out of it, and it actually started getting problematic at 4.5k. If you did as I, calcuating cost per page in trying to save money over inkjets then you've been robbed. You'll likely see your cost per page exceeding that of an inkjet. That just outrageous me.

 

[BuckMaster]

I find this very interresting everyone coming forward with issues on HL-Printers. The thing that gets me these printer should last years before replacing the Drum. Espcially a home user.

Heres a updated e-mail from HL-Brother I recived today!?!?!
Dear Valued Brother Customer,

We received your e-mail regarding "[PRINTER] Hardware" on 12/08/2003.

Your e-mail message is very important to us and we read and respond to all
of our messages. However, due to the high volume of e-mail messages we
receive, it may take up to three (3) business days to send you a personal
reply.

If you are unable to locate supplies or accessories at your local retailer,
please visit us on-line at http://www.brothermall.com your source for home
and office products and genuine Brother supplies and accessories.

 

[BuckMaster]

****UPDATE********
Hope this helps someone. Going to try it tonight. If not calling them.

Dear Brother Customer:

Thank you very much for submitting
the request. Our search engine
indicates that your problem
descriptions can be matched with
1 solution(s) identified from
our Solution Database.

------ Summary of solution-[500000004864]

HL1440 PS
24ZZ "Please follow these cleaning steps for your
printer.

1. Open the front cover of the printer and
remove the drum/toner unit.

2. Gently wipe the scanner
window with a soft dry cloth. The scanner
window is
located on the roof of the inside of the printer.

3.
On the top of the drum unit, locate the blue tab
on the left side.
Slide it back and forth across
the drum about 30 times.

4. Remove the toner cartridge
(TN430 or TN460) from the drum unit
(DR400). To remove
the toner from the drum: hold down the blue
lever
on the right side of the drum (DR400) and
lift the toner (TN430 or
TN460) off of the drum
unit.

5. Inside the drum unit (DR400) there is a
green roller. Wipe the green
drum roller with a
dry tissue (i.e. Kleenex). You may turn this roller
by moving the gears on the far left side.

6. If
experiencing gray pages or gray vertical lines, please
install a
brand new toner cartridge at
this time.

If these steps do not clear up the
print quality problem or to order a
toner cartridge,
please call our toll free customer service line at
800-276-7746, Monday through Friday, 6:00am through 4:00pm,
Pacific

 

[AG73]

buckmaster, thanks for posting those nice instructions. I tried them out but didn't notice much improvement. I'll just live with it I guess. For resumes I'll just print on light gray paper!

On another note, I'm surprised that so many people are indeed coming forward with problems with this printer, when 1-2 years ago (before I bought the printer) there were rave reviews of the 1440 in the forums. I guess time is the true test. I'll likely not buy another brother printer in the future.

Please keep us posted what you hear from customer service.

 

[BuckMaster]

Yea I too followed the instructions and didnt help my matter at all. Im going to try and call them this week and see what kind of warrenty the Drum carries. More then likely I'll have to live with it till I can afford a new one.

They say next to replace the toner. So what happens If I do so and it doesnt help? Then your screwed on paying for the toner cartridge when it could be the Drum and the Drum cost almost as much as a new printer!

 

[draggoon01]

do other ~$100 laser printers (samsung, minolta) have common problems as well?

 

[Doomguy]

I had this problem, but it went away when I used higher quality paper. Cheap paper always seems to have this problem for me.

 

[BuckMaster]

I just tried to call them and got a message; sorry no holding because the call volume was to HIGH! Please call again later. :disgust:

Im really starting to dislike this company!

 

[axmonkey]

Originally posted by: AG73
buckmaster, thanks for posting those nice instructions. I tried them out but didn't notice much improvement. I'll just live with it I guess. For resumes I'll just print on light gray paper!

On another note, I'm surprised that so many people are indeed coming forward with problems with this printer, when 1-2 years ago (before I bought the printer) there were rave reviews of the 1440 in the forums. I guess time is the true test. I'll likely not buy another brother printer in the future.

Please keep us posted what you hear from customer service.

I purchased this model 6 mos. ago was also because of the rave reviews and on this forum there were complains on toner but nothing about drum damage. I read somewhere that it would take replacing 3 toners before it's time to replace the drum. With price coming down to $70 for laser it might be a good idea to replace the unit instead of the toner & drum.

 

[Pretty Cool]

Historically(though not sure about AT), there have always been much more complaints about Brother drums as compared to the toners. From my casual observation, it appears that Brother lasers are best suited for those who plan on print 15,000+ pages within 2 years. Because, no matter how often or how little you use the Brother, consumables will die within 24 months. And to answer another question, I have personally never heard of any other company whose supplies die with such regularity. Even with Epson inkjets, the inks still works, but is simply wasted cleaning the printheads.

Just checked on Ebay and noticed that the repair kits are $40, not $60. Problem with the kits is the fact that the drums are very sensitive to any light. This is why I always handle the toner and drum in a darkened room. I suspect it is not easy fixing a drum in the dark.

 

[masterxfob]

i was also told to do the same thing, did jack $hit for me. i'll never be purchasing another brother printer again.

 

[vegetation]

Let's all chant

Anything other than Brother!