How to Clean the Drum Lens on a Xerox AltaLink B8100/C8100 Series Printer (Fix White Lines)

 

Imagine this: you're in the middle of printing a crucial document or a set of vibrant images for a presentation, and suddenly, your eyes come across white lines that run through your prints.

It's frustrating, to say the least, especially when you're striving for high-quality results. If this is you, then it might be time to clean your drum lens.  

Over time, drum lenses in printers like the Xerox AltaLink B8100 and C8100 series can accumulate dirt, debris, and toner, leading to print quality degradation. If left unattended, this can significantly impact your printing tasks, leaving you with subpar output and potentially costly reprints.

Printer maintenance is vital, and we at Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT) know that. A printer issue can ruin your daily schedule and cause you to fall behind. 

With years of experience servicing thousands of printers, our expertise extends to routine tasks such as drum cleaning, ensuring that your printing needs are consistently met with top-notch quality.

In this blog, we'll show you step-by-step how to clean your drum lens, specifically focusing on Xerox B8100/C8100 printers. It’s a simple task that won’t take too long. Matthew, a seasoned printer technician with a wealth of experience in printer repairs, will lead this informative session.

If you want information on cleaning the entire printer, read our comprehensive guide on how to safely clean one.

Now, let’s dive into the cleaning process.

Step 1: Open the Front Cover

The first step in this maintenance process is to open your printer's front cover. This will give you access to the components that need cleaning.

 

Step 2: Unlock the Orange Dial

Locate the orange dial on the waste toner transport assembly. Unlock the dial by turning it counterclockwise.

Additionally, push the end tabs inward to release the transport assembly.

 

Step 3: Remove the Transport Assembly

Once the orange dial is unlocked, carefully pull out the waste toner transport assembly from the machine. This action will expose the cleaning holes necessary for the next steps.

 

Step 4: Remove the Cleaning Rod

The cleaning rod is essential for clearing debris or buildup from the drum lenses. Remove it from the printer's front cover.

 

Step 5: Clean the Drum Lenses

Take the cleaning rod, which typically has a U-shaped handle, and insert it into the cleaning holes on each color drum. Slowly insert and remove the rod three times for each drum to ensure thorough cleaning.

 

Step 6: Re-insert the Rod on the Cover

After cleaning each color drum, re-insert the cleaning rod into the printer's front cover. Align it properly and secure it under the middle white tab for stability.

 

Step 7: Re-insert the Transport Assembly

With the cleaning rod back in place, carefully re-insert the waste toner transport assembly into the machine. Ensure it is positioned correctly and push evenly until it clicks into place.

 

Step 8: Re-lock the Orange Dial

Once the transport assembly is securely in place, re-lock the orange dial by turning it clockwise. The orange round handle should be fully locked to maintain the assembly's position.

Step 9: Close the Front Cover

Finally, close the front cover of your printer to complete the maintenance process. Your printer is now ready to produce flawless prints without any white lines or blemishes.

Why Are Drums Important?

Drums play a pivotal role in transferring ink onto paper accurately. When dirt, debris, and toner collect on the drum lenses (or LED array lenses), not only does it compromise the aesthetics of your prints, but it also reflects poorly on your professional image. Moreover, if you neglect to clean your drums, your print quality will continue to deteriorate.

Want to learn about other issues that can impact your printer’s health? Read our blog on nine common printer problems and how you can solve them.  

Learn other maintenance with the helpful articles and guides in our Learning Center.

Ready for More Printer Tips?

As you start your printing journey, we invite you to subscribe to our YouTube channel, The Printing Workshop. By subscribing, you'll gain access to more tutorials, maintenance tips, and insights into maximizing your printer's capabilities. Don't miss out on valuable resources to enhance your printing prowess—subscribe now and unlock the full potential of your printing solutions.

Does your printer problem require the help of a professional? Contact us. Our seasoned printer technicians will be happy to help you solve your issue.