How to Fix a Printer That's Putting Lines in Text

Update the printer��s drivers to ensure that the current driver is in use. Download the printer driver from the printer manufacturer��s website. You can usually locate printer drivers by checking under printer support for your specific printer model. Save the driver to an easily accessible location on your computer such as the desktop. Run the driver installation location and follow the onscreen directions to install the driver to your system. A system reboot may be necessary to launch the new driver. After reboot, test the printer by printing a paragraph of text to determine if the lines are gone.
Run the software-based printer head cleaning utility for your printer. The utility can be accessed either from the menu contained in the printer itself, or through the printer utility package included with your printer drivers. Check for the printer utility among the installed applications in the start menu on your system. Run the utility to clean the printer head and then print the nozzle check pattern to determine if the cleaning utility has cleared the lines away.
Clean the inside of the printer, removing any dirt that may be interfering with the printing process. Unplug the printer before cleaning and then open the printer case. Use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe the inside of the printer case. If dealing with a laser printer, allow it 15 minutes to cool down before cleaning. Make sure to clean all gears and rollers. In addition, clean the area of the printer the paper passes through to make sure the paper isn��t dragging through dust during the printing process. Plug the printer back in and print a test page to determine the effectiveness of the cleaning.
Change the printer cartridges for new ones. The ink cartridge may have clogged or run out of ink. A fresh cartridge may fix the text line error. Open the printer body and remove the old cartridge from the unit. Remove the protective paper covering from the printer head of the new cartridge, without touching the head. Install the new cartridge and close the printer case. Wait for the printer to ready the new cartridge for printing, and then print a test paragraph to ensure that the lines in the text are gone.