Prints are smudged or smeared
Ink that smears, toner that rubs off, or marks on the back of pages? Fix the paper type setting, drying time, dirty rollers and fuser problems.
Quick fix
Make sure the paper type in your print settings matches the paper in the tray, and that photo paper is loaded with its printable side the right way. On an inkjet, let pages dry before handling them. On a laser, if toner wipes off with a fingertip, choose the next heavier paper setting and print again.
Didn’t work? Go to the full stepsYou might see
- Ink smears when you touch the page
- Toner rubs off or looks powdery on laser prints
- Ink marks or stripes on the back of pages
- Smudges along the edges, where rollers touch the paper
Usually caused by
- Paper type setting doesn't match the loaded paper
- Printing on the uncoated side of photo paper
- Ink or toner residue on rollers inside the printer
- Thick or curled paper brushing against the print head
- Laser fuser not hot enough for the paper, or worn out
Safety first. Turn off and unplug the printer before cleaning inside, keep clear of the hot fuser on laser printers, and avoid touching print head nozzles, copper contacts or the drum.
Step-by-step fix
Work through the steps in order and check each one off. Most people are printing again before the last step.
Any inkjet or laser printer
0 of 5 steps tried
-
Load photo paper the right way up
Photo paper has one coated side that absorbs ink; on the other side, ink sits wet on top. The paper box or your manual shows whether your printer wants it face up or face down.
-
Give inkjet pages time to dry
Take pages out one at a time and lay them flat rather than stacking them straight away. If only two-sided prints smear, look for a drying time option in the driver.
-
Flatten curled or thick paper
Curled edges or thick card can brush the print head and drag wet ink. Flatten paper before loading, use the rear or manual feed for card if your printer has one, and turn on any thick-paper or anti-smear option in the driver.
-
Clean stray ink inside (inkjet)
Many inkjets have a roller or paper guide cleaning routine in the maintenance menu that feeds plain sheets through to pick up stray ink. If not, unplug the printer and wipe ink off the output rollers with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water, avoiding the print head and the thin clear strip along the back.
-
Fix toner that rubs off (laser)
Toner that wipes off isn't being melted onto the paper properly. Match the paper type, try the next heavier setting for thick sheets, and stay within the paper weights your printer supports. If toner rubs off plain paper on the plain setting, the fuser may be wearing out.
Windows 11 / 10
0 of 3 steps tried
-
Set the paper type
Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > your printer > Printing preferences (Windows 10: Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > your printer > Manage). Choose the exact paper type and click Apply.
-
Look for drying and thick-paper options
Check the advanced tabs in Printing preferences for options such as drying time, thick paper or reduced ink density. Names vary by maker, so use the driver's help button if unsure.
-
Print a test page
Click Printer properties and choose Print Test Page. If plain-paper test pages are clean, the smudging is tied to a particular paper or setting.
macOS
0 of 3 steps tried
-
Set the media type
In the print dialog, open Media & Quality (or the maker's equivalent) and choose the exact paper type. Save it as a preset if you use that paper often.
-
Check extra printer options
Some drivers list drying time or thick-paper options in a section such as Printer Features or the maker's own settings. Turn them on for card stock and envelopes.
-
Test without two-sided printing
If smears appear only on two-sided jobs, turn two-sided printing off for a test. If the problem disappears, the first side needs more drying time.
Did this fix it?
Good. To confirm everything is healthy, print a test page. It takes a minute and shows any quality problems early.
Try these next
Still stuck? Our printer assistant can walk you through it by live chat, free. . Or the The troubleshooter asks a few questions and narrows it down. If your printer is under warranty, the manufacturer can repair or replace it at no cost. Find their official support site on our brand pages.
Common questions
Why does toner come off when I touch the page?
The fuser melts toner into the paper. If it isn't hot enough for that paper, or is worn, the toner stays as loose powder on top.
How long do inkjet prints take to dry?
Plain paper usually feels dry within a minute and glossy photos within a few minutes. Colors can take up to a day to settle, so don't stack photos or frame them under glass straight away.