Windows 10: Printer printing in faint gray only - Windows update possible cause?

I have an Epson Stylus Office BX535WD, which stopped printing about 3 weeks ago, showing that all 4 jets are blocked. When repeated jet cleaning did not help, I cleaned the jets with flush fluid and they are now definitely not blocked. I also downloaded software to reset the waste ink counter, but that showed that my waste ink pad is only 47% full and that resetting was not needed. I changed all the cartridges and the problem persists, although all the monitors are indicating that "the device is working properly". I can only print in High Quality Grayscale and the print is so faint that it is barely legible.

Also, I can no longer chose the print quality/speed from the drop down menu, but have to go to Settings.


I am running Windows 10 and I am wondering if this fault was caused by one of the updates! I should also be grateful for any other suggestions.


Many thanks,


Alex

:)

 

Windows 10 Home Won't Print to Remote Printer


I have three computers.
Machine 1: Windows 10 pro, has the USB Brother HL-5040 printer
Machine 2: Windows 10 pro, prints OK to the remote printer.
Machine 3: Windows 10 home, Used to print, but not anymore (THIS IS THE PROBLEM).
I’ve tried everything that I can think of, and would appreciate any suggestions.
I did these steps on Machine 3 that did not work.

1. Remove the printer device.
2. Add a Printer
3. The printer that I want isn’t listed
4. Select a shared printer by name
5. Browse
6. Select the displayed Machine 1.
7. Select the displayed Printer.
8. Next
9. Failure “Connect to Printer”.
10. Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or Hostname
11. Next
12. Set Hostname to Machine 2, and set port name.
13. Detecting TCP/IP Port
14. Additional Port information required.
15. Device Type – Standard, Brother Port Server
16. Next
17. Detecting the Driver Model
18. Install The Print Driver
19. Select Brother and Brother HL-5040
20. Next
21. Replace the Current Driver
22. Printer Name (setting it to HL-5040)
23. Next
24. Do not share this printer
25. Next
26. You’ve successfully added “HL-5040”
27. Finish

Printing on Machine 3 puts the document in the print queue, which reports error printing.
Printing from Machine 2 to the printer on Machine 1 works perfectly.
All three machines are in the same HomeGroup. Machine 3 can access the shared files from Machine 1.

 

Windows 10 update cause printer problem with: "Printer not activated - Error - 20"

Hi John,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community, we appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

I understand your concern about accessing the printer after the Windows Update, we will help you with this issue.

Do let us know the following:

• What is the make and model of your device?
• How is the printer connected to the computer, locally or through network?
• Have you tried any troubleshooting steps to resolve this issue?

I suggest you to try the below and check if it helps.

Step 1: I suggest you to update the drivers for printer and check.

• 
  Right click on the Start button from the desktop and select
  Device Manager.
  
• 
  Locate and expand Print queue.
  
• 
  Right-click on the printer driver
  that is listed and click Update driver software.
  

Step 2: I suggest you to run the printer troubleshooter from
“Fix printer problems”
and then check if this fixes the issue.

Hope it helps. Reply to the post with an updated status of this issue and required information, we will be happy to help you further.

 

Print to PDF missing in Printer List

Hi William,

We suggest that you disable and re-enable the Print to PDF feature. Here are the steps:

• Click on the Start menu and type in Windows Features.
• Choose Turn Windows features on or off.
• On the next window, find Microsoft Print to PDF and disable it. Click
  OK to save changes.
• Restart your PC.
• Repeat the same steps to re-enable Microsoft Print to PDF.

If the issue persists, we suggest that you perform the troubleshooting steps suggested on the link below under
Advanced:

Fix printer problems

Regards.