Vertical lines or streaks on copies, sent faxes, and scans

Vertical lines on copies, sent faxes, or scanned documents are typically caused by dirt, ink, corrective fluid, or other debris stuck on the ADF scanner glass. Cleaning the ADF scanner glass properly should resolve this issue.

1. To determine if the lines appearing on your documents are related to the printing or scanning area, print a Test Print page:

a. Press ( Settings ) on the Touchscreen.

b. Press ( Toner ).

c. Press Test Print .

- If the page prints okay, go to step 2.

- If the page prints with vertical lines, refer to: Black or colored vertical lines or streaks on printed pages

2. Test the scanner glass by making a copy of the test page:

a. Load your document face down on the scanner glass.

b. Press on the Touchscreen.

c. Press Color Start or Black Start .

- If the copy quality is okay, go to step 3.

- If vertical lines appear on the copy, go to step 10.

3. Test the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) by making a copy of the test page:

a. Load your document face up i n the ADF.

b. Press on the Touchscreen.

c. Press Color Start or Black Start .

- If the copy quality is okay, go to step 4.

- If vertical lines appear on the copy, go to step 7.

4. Test the duplex ADF by making a 2-sided copy of the test page:

a. Load your document face down in the ADF.

b. Press on the Touchscreen.

c. Press Options .

d. Swipe up or down, or press ▲ or ▼ to display 2-sided Copy .

e. Press 2-sided Copy .

f. Press 2-sided=>2-sided .

g. Press OK .

h. Press Color Start or Black Start .

- If the copy quality is okay, the issue has been resolved. Your machine is working properly.

- If vertical lines appear on the printed side of the copy, go to step 5.

5. Because only the duplex copy had vertical lines, that means there is something on the duplex ADF glass causing this issue. It is unlikely that there is a machine defect. Typically, this issue is caused by wet ink or some other substance transferred from a piece of paper as it goes through the ADF. The ink or other substance gets on the glass as the paper moves through, and blocks the light of the scanner in that area for future copies. Because even a small dot can cause this problem, you will need to clean the glass properly to correct it:

Use a cloth or paper towel moistened with rubbing alcohol or a window/glass cleaning agent. Lightly moisten the cloth or paper towel - do not directly spray liquid onto the machine.

- Water does not work for this cleaning.

- Do not use a microfiber or screen-cleaning cloth. Its texture won't remove debris from the duplex ADF glass.

- In addition to the cleaning, gently run your fingertip over the glass strip to see if you can feel anything on it. If any debris is noted, clean the glass again, concentrating on this area.

b. Pull down the black plastic scanner glass cover using the indentation in the cover. Clean the following areas:

i. The white pressure bar located on the inside of the cover (1)

ii. The scanner glass strip underneath the cover (2)

6. Test the duplex ADF by making another 2-sided copy:

a. On a blank sheet of paper, write "1", then flip it over and write "2" on the other side.

b. Load your document with side "1" face up in the ADF.

c. Press on the Touchscreen.

d. Press Options .

e. Swipe up or down, or press ▲ or ▼ to display 2-sided Copy .

f. Press 2-sided Copy .

g. Press 2-sided=>2-sided .

h. Press OK .

i. Press Color Start or Black Start .

- If the copy quality is okay, the issue has been resolved. Your machine is working properly.

- If vertical lines still appear on the second side, more cleaning is required. Clean the duplex ADF glass another three times, making a copy to test after each cleaning. Try a slightly more abrasive cloth, like a coffee filter, lightly moistened with rubbing alcohol or a window/glass cleaning agent.

- If, after another five cleanings of the duplex ADF glass, there are still vertical lines, your machine will require service. Go to WARRANTY AND SERVICE OPTIONS.

7. Because the copy made from the scanner glass had no vertical lines, but the copy made from the ADF did, that means there is something on the ADF glass causing this issue. It is unlikely that there is a machine defect. Typically, this issue is caused by wet ink or some other substance transferred from a piece of paper as it goes through the ADF. The ink or other substance gets on the glass as the paper moves through, and blocks the light of the scanner in that area for future copies. Because even a small dot can cause this problem, you will need to clean the glass properly to correct it:

Use a cloth or paper towel moistened with rubbing alcohol or a window/glass cleaning agent. Lightly moisten the cloth or paper towel - do not directly spray liquid onto the machine.

- Water does not work for this cleaning.

- Do not use a microfiber or screen-cleaning cloth. Its texture won't remove debris from the ADF glass.

- In addition to the cleaning, gently run your fingertip over the glass strip to see if you can feel anything on it. If any debris is noted, clean the glass again, concentrating on this area.

b. Clean the following areas:

i. The white pressure bar located to the left of the white film (1)

ii. The thin glass strip located to the left of the scanner glass (2)

8. Test the ADF by making another copy.

a. Load a blank sheet of paper face up i n the ADF.

b. Press on the Touchscreen.

c. Press Color Start or Black Start .

- If there are no vertical lines, the issue has been resolved. Your machine is working properly.

- If vertical lines are still present, more cleaning is required. Go to step 9.

9. Targeted ADF glass cleaning:

b. Place the document with the vertical line(s) face up on the scanner glass.

c. Determine the area of the ADF glass strip that needs to be cleaned by lining up the copy with the vertical line with the ADF glass strip (see red circle in image above).

d. Try using a slightly more abrasive cloth, like a coffee filter, lightly moistening with rubbing alcohol or a window/glass cleaning agent.

Use a cloth or paper towel moistened with rubbing alcohol or a window/glass cleaning agent. Lightly moisten the cloth or paper towel - do not directly spray liquid onto the machine.

- Water does not work for this cleaning.

- Do not use a microfiber or screen-cleaning cloth. Its texture won't remove debris from the ADF glass.

e. After completing the cleaning, close the document cover and make another copy from the ADF to see if the problem persists:

i. Load a blank sheet of paper face up i n the ADF.

ii. Press on the Touchscreen.

iii. Press Color Start or Black Start .

- If vertical lines continue to appear on the copies, clean the ADF scanner glass another three times. Test by making a copy after each cleaning.

- If, after a total of five cleanings of the ADF scanner glass there are still lines, your machine will require service. Go to WARRANTY AND SERVICE OPTIONS.

10. Clean the scanner glass:

a. Lift the document cover to clean the scanner glass and white plastic with one of the following:

- A cloth or paper towel moistened with rubbing alcohol

- A cloth or paper towel moistened with a window/glass cleaning agent.

Use a cloth or paper towel moistened with rubbing alcohol or a window/glass cleaning agent. Lightly moisten the cloth or paper towel - do not directly spray liquid onto the machine.

- Water does not work for this cleaning.

- Do not use a microfiber or screen-cleaning cloth. Its texture won't remove debris from the ADF glass.

b. Clean the following areas:

i. The scanner glass (1)

ii. The white plastic surface (2)

- Make sure that all cleaned areas are completely dry before going to step 11.

11. Test the scanner glass by making a copy:

a. Load a blank sheet of paper face down on the scanner glass.

b. Press on the Touchscreen.

c. Press Color Start or Black Start .

- If there are no vertical lines, the issue has been resolved. Your machine is working properly.

- If vertical lines still appear on the copy, contact Brother Customer Service by calling 1-877-276-8437 Monday-Friday, excluding holidays, to request a scanner reset.

WARRANTY AND SERVICE OPTIONS

Your machine has a one-year limited exchange warranty. You may use the link below to find a Brother-authorized service center in your area. You may also contact Customer Support for additional warranty options.