HP M234dw gray background or darker print than expected
CauseGray background or darker print than expected Source: Resolving print quality problems: Table 8-10 Gray background or dark print, p. 84
First checkUse paper that has not already passed through the printer.
Causes and checks
Gray background or darker print than expected Source: Resolving print quality problems: Table 8-10 Gray background or dark print, p. 84
- Use paper that has not already passed through the printer.
- Try another paper type.
- Print the document again.
- Open the EWS Adjust Toner Density menu and lower the density level.
- Confirm the temperature and humidity are inside the supported range.
- Install a new toner cartridge. See Replace the toner cartridge.
HP Customer Support If it persists, go to www.hp.com/support/ljM232MFP. 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. 125
Other M234dw problems
- Printer does not pick up paperTray settings, paper or the pickup roller.
- Printer feeds more than one sheet at a timeStack condition, paper type or overfilled tray.
- Frequent or recurring paper jamsFrequent or recurring paper jams.
- Paper jam5 causes in the manual. First: er/04: jam in the input tray or printer base.
- Whole page prints light or fadedWhole page prints light or faded
- Pages come out completely blankPages come out completely blank
- Whole page prints blackWhole page prints black
- Repeating bands down the page in filled areasRepeating bands down the page in filled areas
- Vertical streaks on the printed page2 causes in the manual. First: light vertical streaks in filled areas only.
- Shadow copies of the image repeat down the pageShadow copies of the image repeat down the page
- Toner smears or rubs off at the page edgesToner smears or rubs off at the page edges
- Printout is crooked or not centeredPrintout is crooked or not centered
- Paper comes out curled2 causes in the manual. First: positive curl: edges curl toward the printed side.
- Output stacks unevenly or falls off the trayOutput stacks unevenly or falls off the tray
- Background shading, dark vertical bands or repeating horizontal bandingBackground shading, dark vertical bands or repeating horizontal banding
- Toner specks, spatter, smears, lines or repeating marksToner specks, spatter, smears, lines or repeating marks
- Copies or scans show smudges, specks or poor quality4 causes in the manual. First: dirt on the scanner glass or the white backing under the lid.
- Printer will not connect to Wi-FiPower, radio, SSID or security information.
- Printer does not print after wireless setup is done2 causes in the manual. First: printer state, firewall, network or computer.
- Wireless connection broke after moving the router or printerThe printer and the computer ended up on different networks.
- Cannot add more devices over Wi-Fi DirectRange, user limit, firewall or network.
- Wireless printer drops while connected to a VPNA computer cannot normally join a VPN and other networks together.
- Wi-Fi network is missing from the wireless networks listRouter power, hidden network, range or stale list.
- Wireless network is not functioningThe network lost communication, or the devices use different networks.
- Ethernet connection is not workingNetwork, cable, security software or driver.
Sources
- User Guide, HP LaserJet MFP M232-M237 series. HP Development Company, L.P. Document c06759742, revision UG_EN (PDF created 2020-12-02), 154 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.