Periodic Dots and Horizontal Streaks

Overview

If your prints show thin lines, bands, or rows of dots running across the page at regular intervals, a component inside the printer has surface damage or contamination. This article helps you identify the faulty component and fix it.

Symptoms

• Thin horizontal lines or bands running across the page (perpendicular to the paper feed direction)
• Rows of small dots appearing at consistent intervals down the page
• The pattern repeats at the same spacing on every print
• The issue may appear in one colour only, or across all colours

Key difference from random dots: Periodic marks follow a pattern. If the marks are random and scattered without a consistent spacing, see Black or White Dots on Prints instead.

Diagnose the Problem: Measure the Spacing

Print a test page with a solid colour area. Measure the distance between two identical marks or lines using a ruler.

Solution

Step 1: Run a Drum Cleaning Page

Start here. A Drum Cleaning Page removes loose toner and small particles from the drum surface.

Note: Print a test page after cleaning. If the streaks are gone, no further action is needed.

See: How to Generate a Drum Cleaning Page

Step 2: Clean the LED Heads

Contamination on the LED head causes vertical white lines, but can also contribute to uneven toner distribution that shows up as horizontal banding.

1. Open the front cover of the printer.
2. Locate the LED heads — narrow glass strips sitting directly above each drum slot.
3. Wipe each LED head gently with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Wipe in one direction only.
4. Close the cover and print a test page.

Step 3: Clean the Transfer Belt Surface

If the streaks appear across all colours in the same horizontal position on the page:

1. Open the front cover.
2. Remove all drum/toner units to access the transfer belt.
3. Inspect the belt surface for visible scratches, toner buildup, or dents.
4. If you see toner residue on the belt, wipe it gently with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use water or solvents.
5. Reinstall the drums and print a test page.

If the belt has physical scratches or dents, it needs replacing.

Common cause: Pulling paper out forcefully during a jam clearance can scratch the belt. If streaks appeared after a paper jam, the belt is the most likely cause.

See: Replacing the Transfer Belt

Step 4: Inspect and Replace the Image Drum

If marks repeat at ~30 mm or ~94 mm intervals and cleaning did not help:

1. Remove the drum/toner unit for the affected colour.
2. Hold the drum so you can see the green surface. Do not touch it with your fingers.
3. Rotate the drum slowly and look for scratches, marks, or embedded particles.
4. If the surface is damaged, replace the drum.

Identify the colour: Print separate test pages in cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The streaks appear only in the colour linked to the damaged drum.

See: Replacing the Image Drum

Step 5: Replace the Fuser Unit

If marks repeat at ~85 mm intervals, the fuser roller is damaged:

1. The fuser roller cannot be cleaned or repaired — replace the fuser unit.
2. Follow the replacement instructions for your printer model.

See: Replacing the Fuser Unit

Prevention

• Clear paper jams carefully. Pull the paper slowly and straight — never at an angle. Rough handling damages the transfer belt and fuser rollers.
• Store paper in a dry environment. Damp paper sheds fibres that collect on the drum and belt.
• Use genuine OKI consumables. Third-party toner can produce excess toner dust that contaminates internal components.

Applies To

All OKI printers supplied by Mediaset: C650, C844, MC853, MC873, MC883, ES8453, ES8473, ES8483, Pro9431.

Related Articles

• How to Generate a Drum Cleaning Page — First step for any streak or line issue
• Black or White Dots on Prints — For individual dots rather than lines or bands
• Black Marks on Back of Page — For marks appearing on the reverse side of the sheet
• General Print Quality Troubleshooting Guide — Start here if you are not sure what type of problem you have
• Replacing the Image Drum
• Replacing the Fuser Unit

Still Having Issues?

If the streaks persist after following these steps, contact Mediaset support. Include a photo or scan of the affected print — a solid colour test page works best for diagnosis.

Mediaset Support: support@mediaset.no

Category: Print Quality Issues Tags: streaks, lines, bands, horizontal lines, periodic marks, image drum, fuser, transfer belt, print quality, OKI Applies to: OKI C650, C844, MC853, MC873, MC883, ES8453, ES8473, ES8483, Pro9431

Last updated: March 2026