Lines or streaks on Brother laser prints usually come from toner distribution, a dirty corona wire, or a scratched or dirty drum unit. A mark that repeats at the same interval down the page is a strong clue that the drum surface is involved.
Does this affect you?
Use this guide if Brother laser prints show vertical streaks, faded bands, repeating marks, or smears. If your Brother model uses ink cartridges instead of toner, see the inkjet note below.
Redistribute and check the toner cartridge
Try this first if the print is uneven, light, or streaky.
- Open the front cover and remove the toner and drum assembly.
- Keep the toner cartridge level and gently rock it side to side several times. Do not shake hard or spill toner.
- Reinstall the assembly and print a test page.
- If the print remains faint and the toner is low, replace the toner cartridge.
Clean the corona wire
A dusty corona wire commonly causes vertical streaks or faded bands.
- Remove the toner and drum assembly, then separate the toner cartridge from the drum unit using the release latch.
- Find the small colored tab for the corona wire inside the drum unit.
- Slide the tab from one end to the other two or three times.
- Return the tab to its home position, reassemble the toner and drum, and reinstall them.
Inspect the drum unit for scratches
Turn the printer off before handling the drum. Do not touch the green drum surface or expose it to bright light for more than a few minutes; fingerprints and light damage can create permanent print defects.
- Remove the drum unit and keep it away from direct light.
- Rotate the green drum cylinder slowly and inspect it for scratches, dull spots, or stuck debris.
- If a mark repeats at a fixed distance on every page and you see matching drum damage, replace the drum unit.
- If the drum looks clean, wipe only light dust with a dry lint-free cloth. Do not use liquid or abrasive material.
More control
Inkjet models need printhead cleaning
Brother inkjet printers use ink cartridges, not toner drums. For streaks on inkjet output, run printhead cleaning and then a nozzle check from the printer menu or Brother software.
Check paper path and scanner glass
Debris on rollers can create streaks. If lines appear only on copies or scans, clean the scanner glass and document feeder glass with a lint-free cloth.
Sources
- Brother Support – Print Quality Problems: Lines, Streaks, or Smears (2025)
- Brother Support – Clean the Corona Wire (2025)
- Brother Support – Replace the Drum Unit (2025)