HP M209dw gray background or print darker than expected
CauseGray background or print darker than expected Source: Resolving print quality problems: Table 7-9 Gray background or dark print, p. 66
First checkCheck that the paper in the tray has not already been through the printer.
Causes and checks
Gray background or print darker than expected Source: Resolving print quality problems: Table 7-9 Gray background or dark print, p. 66
- Check that the paper in the tray has not already been through the printer.
- Use a different paper type.
- Reprint the document.
- Open the EWS Adjust Toner Density menu and lower the toner density.
- Check that the printer is within the supported operating temperature and humidity range.
- Replace the toner cartridge. See Replace the toner cartridge.
HP Customer Support If the problem persists, go to www.hp.com/support/ljM207. Contact: hp.com/support.
Service
If the checks above do not clear it, contact HP Customer Support, hp.com/support. Telephone numbers by country are on the flyer in the box or at www.hp.com/support. Source: Customer support, p. 104
Other M209dw problems
- Printer does not pick up paper from the input trayThe tray, paper settings or pickup roller need attention.
- Printer picks up several sheets at onceThe paper stack, paper quality or tray fill is wrong.
- Paper jams keep happeningPaper type setting, internal toner residue or another cause.
- Paper jam5 causes in the manual. First: jam in the input tray.
- Printed page is light or fadedPrinted page is light or faded
- Blank page, nothing printedBlank page, nothing printed
- Entire page prints blackEntire page prints black
- Repeating bands or lines down the page in filled areasRepeating bands or lines down the page in filled areas
- Vertical streaks on the pageLight vertical streaks that appear only in filled areas.
- Faint shadow of the image repeated down the pageFaint shadow of the image repeated down the page
- Toner rubs off along the page edgesToner rubs off along the page edges
- Image is off-center or skewed on the pageImage is off-center or skewed on the page
- Printed pages are curled2 causes in the manual. First: positive curl: the paper curls toward the printed side, in dry rooms or with high-coverage pages.
- Pages do not stack neatly in the output trayPages do not stack neatly in the output tray
- Background shading, vertical dark bands or repeating horizontal bandsBackground shading, vertical dark bands or repeating horizontal bands
- Toner specks, spatter, smears, streaks or repeating marksToner specks, spatter, smears, streaks or repeating marks
- Printer will not connect to Wi-FiPower, radio, SSID or security information is wrong.
- Printer does not print after wireless setup2 causes in the manual. First: the printer, network, firewall or computer is not ready.
- Wireless printing stopped after moving the router or printerThe printer and the computer are on different networks.
- Cannot connect more devices with Wi-Fi DirectRange, concurrent-user limit, firewall or network problem.
- Wireless printer loses connection while on a VPNTypically, a VPN connection and other networks cannot be used at the same time.
- Wi-Fi network does not appear in the printer's listThe router is off, out of range, hidden or the list is stale.
- Wireless network is not workingThe network has lost communication or the devices are on different networks.
- Ethernet connection does not workThe network, the Ethernet cable or antivirus software prevents the connection.
Sources
- User Guide, HP LaserJet M207-M212 series. HP Development Company, L.P. Document c06977277, revision EN-WW (PDF created 2020-12-03), 133 pages, en. h10032.www1.hp.com (PDF). Retrieved 13 November 2026.
Page numbers are the numbers printed in the manual. Where this page and the manual differ, follow the manual.