How to Fix Horizontal Lines on Your Printed Photos

It is incredibly frustrating: you just captured the perfect moment, hit print, and wait with anticipation. But instead of a crisp, beautiful memory, out comes a photo marred by ugly horizontal lines (also known as "banding").

Don't throw away your printer just yet. In 90% of cases, this is a minor maintenance issue you can fix yourself in under 5 minutes.

This guide focuses on inkjet printers (Canon, Epson, HP, Brother), which are the most common for home photo printing. Follow these steps in order to save time and ink.

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Step 1: Check Your Media Type Setting (Do This First)

Before you start wasting ink on cleaning cycles, check your software settings. This is the most overlooked cause of horizontal banding.

If you are printing on Glossy Photo Paper but your printer settings say "Plain Paper," the printer will not lay down enough ink. The result? Faint horizontal streaks.

How to Fix It:

1. Open the Print dialog box on your computer.
2. Click on Properties, Preferences, or Printer Settings.
3. Look for the Media Type or Paper Type tab.
4. Ensure it matches the paper you are actually using (e.g., "Photo Paper Glossy" or "Matte").
5. Set the Quality to "High" or "Best."

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Step 2: Run the "Head Cleaning" Utility

If your settings are correct, the most likely culprit is a clogged print head nozzle. Inkjet printers use microscopic nozzles to spray ink. If you haven't printed in a few weeks, ink can dry up and block them, creating gaps (lines) in your photo.

How to Fix It:

1. Load plain white paper into the tray (do not use expensive photo paper for testing).
2. Go to your printer’s Maintenance menu. This can be found on the printer's LCD screen or in the printer software on your computer.
3. Select Nozzle Check. This will print a test pattern.
4. If the pattern has gaps or broken lines, select Clean Print Head (or "Head Cleaning").
5. Wait for the process to finish and print another Nozzle Check to verify.

Note: You may need to run the cleaning cycle 2-3 times for stubborn clogs.

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Step 3: Check Ink Levels and Breather Tape

Low ink levels can cause "fading" lines as the cartridge struggles to supply ink. Additionally, if you recently installed a new cartridge, a simple user error might be to blame.

How to Fix It:

1. Check Levels: Look at your ink monitoring software or the LCD screen. If a color is critically low, replace it.
2. Check the Vents: Remove the cartridges. Look for the yellow (usually) pull-tab or plastic tape on the top. If a piece of this tape remains covering the air vent, a vacuum is created, and ink cannot flow out. Ensure the vent is completely open.

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Step 4: Align the Print Head

If your nozzle check looks perfect (no gaps) but you still see lines—especially if the lines look like misalignment or "jagged" edges—your print head alignment might be off. This often happens after moving the printer or a paper jam.

How to Fix It:

1. Go back to the Maintenance menu.
2. Select Print Head Alignment.
3. The printer will print a sheet with several numbered boxes.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to select the box that looks the most solid (with the least visible lines).

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Summary

To remove horizontal lines from your photos, follow this "Emergency Room" checklist:

1. Settings: Ensure "Media Type" matches your paper.
2. Clogs: Run a "Head Cleaning" cycle.
3. Supply: Check ink levels and cartridge air vents.
4. Hardware: Run the "Print Head Alignment."

Ready to try again? Load a fresh sheet of photo paper and print a test image. By maintaining your printer regularly (printing at least once a week), you can prevent these lines from ever coming back. Happy printing!