Most printer users at some point during the course of using their printers will ask “why is my printer printing grey?”. Hence, in this article, we will discuss solutions to your Brother printer printing grey problem.
Table of Contents
Brother Printer Printing Grey Background [What to Do]
Do the following if your Brother printer is printing grey background…
1. Check Your Printing Paper
Your printer paper has to meet certain specifications to ensure quality print. For instance, if you want to use plain-paper print media for your laser printer, it has to be plain-paper made specifically for laser printers.
If you use paper for inkjet printers for your laser printer then, you may have a grey background in your printing.
2. Change the Print Density
Another answer to the question “Why is my Brother printer printing grey background?” is a low print density. Your printer allows you to adjust its print density from the printer driver. And sometimes, the density may be set too low and then result in your Brother printer printing grey pages.
To solve this, you simply need to increase the printer’s print density from the driver.
How to Change Print Density
Do these steps to change your Brother printer print density…
Windows
Step 1: Click the start button and then select “Control Panel” and then select “Devices and Printer”.
Step 2: Select your Brother printer to bring out the printer’s properties and then click on “Printing Preferences”.
Step 3: Select the “Advanced” tab from the top of the screen.
Step 4: Open “Other Print Options”.
Step 5: Choose “Density Adjustment” from the new menu.
Step 6: Click on the “Printer Default” option to uncheck it.
Step 7: Move the density bar to increase the density level. When it is +6 click on “OK”.
Step 8: Then click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your setting.
Mac
Step 1: From the application, select “File and Print”.
Step 2: “Printer and Presets” may be the only displayed options. In this case, click on “Show Details”.
Step 3: Click on “Copies and Pages” and then select “Print Settings”.
Step 4: Expand the “Advanced” option by clicking the arrow next to it.
Step 5: Choose “Density Adjustment” from the list of options.
Step 6: Click on the “Printer Default” option to uncheck it.
Step 7: Move the density bar to increase the density level. When it is +6 click on “OK”.
After changing the print density, test print any document to see if your Brother printer printing grey issue has been resolved.
3. Clean the Drum Unit
If it is a Brother laser printer printing grey background then the drum unit may be dirty and be causing the problem. Cleaning the drum unit will solve this problem.
How to Clean Brother Printer Drum Unit
Follow these steps to clean your Brother printer drum unit…
Step 1: Switch off the printer by pressing and holding the power button for a few seconds.
Step 2: Open the printer’s front cover.
Step 3: Take out the toner cartridge and drum unit assembly from the printer.
Step 4: Press the green locking tab down to release the toner cartridge and then take it out of the assembly.
Step 5: Dip any lint-free piece of cloth in warm water or isopropyl alcohol. Wring out the cloth and then use it to clean the roller that is inside the drum unit.
Step 6: Let the alcohol (if it was used) dry from the drum unit.
Step 7: Clean the corona wire that is inside the unit by carefully moving the green tab on top of the drum unit back and forth a couple of times. Ensure you move the tab back to its original position.
Step 8: Put the toner cartridge back in the assembly and make sure it locks in place.
Step 9: Take the drum and toner cartridge assembly back to the printer and reinstall it.
Step 10: Clean the remaining debris on the drum by printing about 10 blank pages.
Step 11: Press “GO” 3 times to print the Printer Setting Page to see if the grey background problem has been solved.
4. Replace the Drum Unit
If the problem persists, then the drum unit may be bad. Remove the drum unit and toner cartridge assembly from the printer. Remove the toner cartridge from the assembly and then inspect the drum unit.
If you notice any sort of damage, then the drum unit should be replaced to solve the issue.
How to Replace Brother Printer Drum Unit
To replace your Brother printer drum unit, do the following…
Step 1: Open the printer’s front cover.
Step 2: Take out the drum unit and toner cartridge assembly from the printer.
Step 3: Take out the toner cartridge from the assembly by pushing the green lever down.
Step 4: Get the new drum unit and unpack it.
Step 5: Install the toner cartridge in your new drum unit. Ensure it locks in place.
Step 6: Slide the green tab on the drum unit from the left to the right a couple of times. This is done to clean the corona wire inside the unit.
Step 7: Reinstall the drum unit and toner assembly in the printer. Finally, close the printer’s front cover.
Print any document and see if the issue of your Brother printer printing grey has been resolved.
We believe we have answered the question: “Why is my printer printing grey pages?”. And we trust we have been able to show you how to solve this problem in this section.
However, if the problem persists, you may contact Brother Support for further help.
Brother Printer Printing Grey Instead Of Black [How to Fix]
Try these solutions if your Brother printer is printing grey instead of black…
1. Replace the Toner or Ink Cartridge
One answer to the question “Why is my printer printing grey instead of black” is a low toner or ink level. This is one of the most obvious reasons why your printed text will come out as grey instead of black. And so, it is most of the time overlooked.
Therefore, check your ink/toner level from your PC. If the ink/toner level is low then they should be replaced to solve the problem.
How to Replace Brother Printer Toner Cartridge
Do the following to replace a Brother printer toner cartridge…
Step 1: Open the printer’s front cover.
Step 2: Take out the drum unit and toner cartridge assembly from the printer.
Step 3: Remove the toner cartridge out of the assembly by pushing the green lever down.
Step 4: Get the new toner and unpack it.
Step 5: Install the new toner cartridge in the drum unit. Ensure it locks in place.
Step 6: Move the green tab back and forth several times to clean the corona wire inside the unit.
Step 7: Take the toner and drum unit assembly to the printer and properly install it. Finally, return the printer’s front cover to its position.
How to Replace Brother Printer Ink Cartridge
Follow the steps below to replace your Brother printer ink cartridge…
Step 1: Open the door that covers the printer’s ink cartridge
Step 2: Push down the colored levers and remove the ink cartridge (s) that needs to be replaced.
Step 3: Keep the printer on to ensure that it detects the ink after installation.
Step 4: Get the new ink cartridge (s) and unpack them. Put the new ink cartridge in its place. Ensure you insert the cartridge from the arrow label on it.
Step 5: As you install the ink cartridge, your printer will send a confirmatory message. For instance, “Did you change red?” Ensure to choose “Yes” with each ink cartridge installed.
Step 6: Once you are done installing the cartridge ink, close the ink cover door and test run the printer
2. Check the Ink Cartridge Nozzle
If the ink cartridge level is not low, then the ink cartridge nozzle may be blocked. Remove the cartridge following steps 1-2 of the above solution. Then inspect the nozzle for any sort of blockage.
If there is, then try to remove the blockage. If the blockage does not come off then you may have to replace the ink cartridge.
Also, air can get trapped in the ink cartridge well and cause the problem. Cleaning the area where the ink comes out of the cartridge with a slightly damped cloth should solve this problem.
3. Check the Environment Where the Printer is Located
The humidity of the printer’s environment can affect the print quality and cause you to wonder “why does my printer print gray instead of black”.
If the humidity is low, then the ink may not set properly. The ideal temperature for your printer’s environment is somewhere between 50 – 90.5◦F.
So, check the temperature with a room thermometer and adjust the temperature accordingly.
4. Clean the Print Head
Your Brother printer printing light gray instead of black might be due to a clogged print head if you use an inkjet printer. Cleaning the print head is all you need to do to resolve this issue.
How to Clean Brother Printer Print Head
Do the following to clean your Brother printer print head…
Step 1: Press the “Ink” button on your printer’s control panel. If your model does not have the “Ink” button then do the following:
i. Press your “Menu” button.
ii. Navigate the menu with the Up and Down buttons.
iii. When “Ink” is displayed on the screen, press “OK”.
Step 2: Press your Up and Down buttons again until “Cleaning” is displayed then press “OK”.
Step 3: Based on which ink you want to clean, select either “Black”, “Color”, or “All”.
Step 4: Press “OK” to do the cleaning.
The video below is a visual representation of the above instructions…
To read more awesome articles, click any of the links below…
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How Do I Fix a Paper Jam in My Brother Printer [Solution]
Brother Printer No Paper Issue [Solved]
Brother Printer Does Not Pickup Paper [Quick Fix]
Can’t Turn Off Brother Printer [Solution]
Why is My Brother Printing Blank Pages [Reasons & Solutions]
Touch Screen Models
If your printer is a touch screen model, then do the following to clean your Brother printer print head…
Step 1: Press the “INK” indicator.
Step 2: Select “Cleaning”.
Step 3: Based on which ink you want to clean, select either “Black”, “Color”, or “All”.
Your printer will clean the print head and go to “Ready” once it completes the cleaning. Print a document to see if the cleaning has fixed your Brother printer printing grey problem.
If it hasn’t, then wait for two hours and then repeat the cleaning. Do this 3 more times (always with a 2-hour interval) if the problem persists.
If your Brother printer keeps printing gray after the 5th cleaning then we advise you to speak to a professional. Brother Customer Service is available to give you further assistance on this.
Or, you may choose to replace the printer if you have had it for a long time. Check out this wonderful Brother laser printer below.
