Easy · 7 minInk & print qualityBrother
Fix streaky or banded prints (inkjet)
Horizontal bands or missing colour on an inkjet Brother mean clogged nozzles, not empty ink. Run the nozzle check and cleaning cycle.
01 · Identify — does this match what you see?
- White horizontal lines across photos
- One colour missing entirely from the test pattern
- Colours look washed out or wrong
02 · Resolve — follow in order
- 1
Print a Print Quality check from the panel (Ink → Print Quality Check or Improve Print Quality).
- 2
Compare the pattern to the on-screen reference. Missing segments confirm a clog.
- 3
Run “Cleaning” (Ink → Cleaning) once, then reprint the check.
- 4
If gaps remain, run “Deep Cleaning” once — it uses more ink, so don't repeat more than twice in a row.
- 5
Still faint? Remove and reseat the affected cartridge; a loose contact causes one colour to drop out.
Pro tip
Brother inkjets clog when idle. Print one small colour page each week to keep nozzles wet — far cheaper than a deep-cleaning's ink use.
03 · Applies to
MFC-J995DWMFC-J1010DWMFC-J1205W