I like blue, but not that much blue.

May 17, 2010 8:12 AM

How can I clean the blue toner that is apparently spilled inside my (HP Color LaserJet 2605dn) printer? All of my color prints are smeared with blue ink. It does not seem to affect grayscale printing.
posted by Breav to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

If your grayscale prints aren't getting smeared with blue, this may be a fairly contained problem. At the very least, you know that the blue isn't in all of the workings, just the stuff that applies to color. That's probably just the cartridge and, presumably, a separate print head. As a first step, I'd just open it up and pull out the color ink receptacle and see if it's obviously exploded or any such.
posted by Rallon at 8:24 AM on May 17, 2010

As a warning, toner makes a mess, and is said to be carcinogenic if inhaled.

Laser printers don't have ink or print heads -- toner is a fine powder that adheres to the paper when heated, and rarely leaks in large amounts.

It's also possible that you need a new fuser, although I'd start by replacing the cyan cartridge.
posted by schmod at 8:57 AM on May 17, 2010

A helpful tip from someone who has done this before:

First, go to the store and get a package of shop towels and the largest thing of isopropyl alcohol you can find. Maybe two of them. Then, lay down a tarp if you have some outside space; if you don't, perform this procedure in your bathroom. Only then should you take the printer apart. The ability of toner to get fucking everywhere should not be dismissed lightly.
posted by KathrynT at 9:12 AM on May 17, 2010

Response by poster: The cartridge does not show any obvious signs of leaking and the indicator on the LCD shows its levels as the same as the other cartridges, but the transfer belt (on the inside of the front cover) is covered in blue toner. Can I clean that with isopropyl?
posted by Breav at 9:18 AM on May 17, 2010

Well. . . think of it this way. If the isopropyl turns out to be a bad idea, you've ruined the printer. But if you don't clean it off, the printer is useless anyway, right? Unless you have a service or warranty contract on the printer, I'd give it a shot. Outside. On a tarp. With your bag of shop towels nearby.
posted by KathrynT at 9:48 AM on May 17, 2010