Light Print, Hue Shift, Low Density Dropout, or 15 percent Blocks Missing on a Configuration Page

Light halftone colors, such as those used for shading and watermarks, do not print. The customer might also notice that the 15 percent color blocks on the Configuration page are missing or extremely light. Another symptom is colors that change every time the printer calibrates, which is very noticeable in the middle of a large print job.

The issue is usually seen in cyan, magenta, and yellow, but might also affect black. See Figure 1. (The print sample shows a HP Color LaserJet 5500 Configuration page, but the issue looks identical).

NOTE: This issue is covered in a service note.

Figure 1: Configuration page with 15 percent boxes missing

Follow the troubleshooting steps below

Since several issues exist that might exhibit similar symptoms, follow the troubleshooting steps below to verify the issue and eliminate other issues.

Print the Configuration page
Check the four primary colors down the left side of the page. Each color should have four blocks, in 100 percent, 60 percent, 30 percent, and 15 percent halftone levels.

If the 15 percent block is missing or very faint on any or all of the colors, continue with troubleshooting.
Use the LDD (Low Density Dropout) test files at http://www.hp.com/go/laserjetbeta to check for LDD. There are two versions of this file:

NOTE: Use document number C00046082 for detailed instructions on how to print and use the test page.
4600_5500_latest_fw.ps is to be used for the following firmware versions:

HP Color LaserJet 4600 with Firmware 03.012.4 or later
HP Color LaserJet 5500 with Firmware 04.016.3 or later

4600_5500_earlier_fw.ps is to be used for the following firmware versions:

HP Color LaserJet 4660 with Firmware 03.012.3 or earlier
HP Color LaserJet 5500 with Firmware 04.016.2 or earlier

If the 15 percent block is missing, update the Firmware (datecode: 3.012.4 or later) and replace the DC Controller (part number: RG5-6391-100CN) .

Print a Configuration page and verify that the Printer Number under the Printer Information Section is now listed as 6D or higher for the 4600 and 70 or higher for the 5500.