Printer ghosting is a faint second copy of your text or images, printed lower on the same page or on the next one. It does not mean you are low on toner. On a laser printer it usually comes from the paper setting, the paper, the drum or the fuser, and measuring the gap between the original and the ghost tells you which.
Quick answer
- Check the paper type setting first. If the driver or printer says “Plain” while you print on labels, card stock or envelopes, the fuser runs at the wrong heat and ghosting is common. This fix is free.
- Try fresh, dry copy paper and plug the printer straight into a wall outlet, not a power strip or UPS.
- Measure the gap from a spot on the original to the same spot on the ghost. On many HP and Brother models, a gap of about 94 mm (3.7 in) points to the drum. Other gaps point to the fuser or the cartridge.
- Replace only the part that matches. Drum first on printers with a separate drum, then the toner cartridge, then the fuser. Low toner causes fading, not ghosting.
What printer ghosting looks like
Ghosting is a repeat of something you printed. A logo at the top shows up again, lighter, a few inches lower. The ghost is always the same shape as the original and the same distance below it.
Random gray marks and smears are not ghosting. For those, read our guide to laser printer smudging and dirty pages instead.
Ghosts come in two kinds.
Positive ghost
A faint copy of the image, in the same color, on an area that should be blank. The most common type. Toner left on a roller printed again on the next turn.
Negative ghost
A lighter “hole” in the shape of the image, inside a shaded or solid area lower on the page. Less toner went down in that spot. Shows most in graphics, gray fills and photos.
Both kinds mean a round part in the printer “remembered” the image and repeated it one turn later. Your job is to find which part.
Why laser printers print ghost images
A laser printer builds each page on a spinning drum. A developer roller feeds it toner, a transfer roller pulls the toner onto the paper, and the fuser melts it in. Each part is a roller that touches the page once per turn.
- 1Developer roller. Feeds toner to the drum. Usually inside the toner cartridge.
- 2Drum. Holds the image. If it is not fully cleared after each turn, the image comes back.
- 3Transfer roller. Pulls toner onto the paper. When worn, it leaves toner on the drum.
- 4Fuser. Heated roller plus pressure roller. Too hot or too cool, and toner sticks and prints again.
When toner, or an electrical charge, is left behind on one of these rollers, it shows up again exactly one turn later. So the gap between the original and the ghost equals the distance around that roller.
Measure the gap to find which part is causing ghosting
Print a page with a bold, dark shape near the top. With a ruler, measure from a sharp edge on the original to the same edge on the ghost, in millimeters if you can. Then compare that number with your printer maker’s “repetitive defects” values. Two published examples:
- HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M880: HP’s repetitive defect table lists 41 mm for the charge roller and 47 mm for the developer roller (both replaced with the drum cartridge), 75 mm for the fuser sleeve, and 94 mm for either the drum or the fuser pressure roller. HP adds that a 94 mm defect in every color points to the fuser, while one in only one or two colors points to that color’s drum (HP.com print quality pages, checked October 2026).
- Brother HL-L2460DW and HL-L3290CDW: Brother’s print quality tables tie marks at 94 mm (3.7 in) intervals to the drum unit. On the color HL-L3290CDW, marks at 29 mm (1.1 in) point to the toner cartridge for that color (support.brother.com, checked October 2026).
94 mm shows up in both lists, but other models use other sizes, and two parts can share a distance. Check the numbers for your exact model: search “[your printer model] repetitive defects” or see the print quality section of your user guide.
Tip: Our guide to repeating marks and lines shows how to work out a roller’s repeat distance from its diameter, with a table of common sizes. The same math works for ghosts.
A ghost that lands on the next page is still ghosting. It often happens after printing a small page, then a larger one.
Causes of printer ghosting, most common first
1. The paper type setting does not match the paper
This is the big one. The fuser sets its heat by the paper type you pick. If the setting says “Plain” while you feed card stock, labels or envelopes, the toner does not melt in fully. Some sticks to the fuser roller and prints again one turn later. Brother, Lexmark and Xerox all list a mismatched media type as a ghosting cause.
2. The paper is too rough, thick, smooth or damp
Brother’s tables say “rough-surfaced paper or thick print media may cause this problem.” Very smooth or coated paper can also ghost. Lexmark says to use recommended, dry paper fresh out of the ream.
3. The room is cold or very dry
Brother lists room conditions first: “Conditions such as low humidity and low temperatures may cause this print quality problem.” Unheated garages, basements and classrooms over winter break are common cases.
4. Power strip, extension cord or UPS
The fuser draws a lot of current. HP recommends plugging LaserJets directly into a wall outlet, and Lexmark warns that power strips, extension cords and UPS units can cause “poor printer performance.” No maker we checked names power as a direct cause of ghosting, but a fuser running too cool can ghost, and a wall outlet costs nothing to try.
5. The drum is near the end of its life
A worn drum stops clearing the image after each turn, so it prints again one drum turn lower. Brother lists “install a new drum unit” for ghosting on every model we checked. On most HP LaserJets the drum is built into the toner cartridge. Most Brother lasers, and some HP models such as those using the HP 32A imaging drum, have a separate drum unit.
6. The fuser is worn, dirty or too hot
When toner sticks to the fuser’s heated roller instead of the paper, it gets laid back down one fuser turn later. This is called hot offset. Lexmark says ghosting can happen “when the fuser is running too hot or too cold,” and Brother notes the fuser “may be contaminated.” On a color printer, a ghost in every color points to the fuser.
7. The transfer roller is worn
A worn transfer roller leaves toner on the drum, and it comes back on the next turn. Lexmark lists it as a part to check. On many small printers it is a service part.
8. The toner cartridge
Low toner causes faded or streaky pages, not ghosting. But the cartridge can still play a part, because it often holds the developer roller, and on most HP models the drum too. Canon’s manual says worn parts inside an end-of-life cartridge can cause ghost images, and recommends replacing it “regardless of the remaining amount of toner.” Any cartridge, original or aftermarket, can be defective. The gap measurement tells you whether it is involved before you buy anything.
9. Envelope levers or a printer setting
Some Brother models have two envelope levers inside the back cover. Brother lists them being down during normal printing as a ghosting cause. Some Canon printers have ghosting settings, covered in the steps below.
How to fix ghosting on a laser printer, free to most expensive
Work down the list and print the same test page after each step.
- FreePaper settingMatch the media type to the paper.
- FreePaper, room, outletFresh paper, warm room, wall outlet.
- $Toner cartridgeIf the gap points to it, or it holds the drum.
- $$Drum unitWhen the gap matches the drum.
- $$$Fuser or transfer rollerOften a technician job.
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Set the correct paper type Free
In Printing Preferences or Properties, set the paper or media type to match the tray: Plain, Thick, Heavy, Labels, Envelope or Card Stock. On printers with a screen, set the tray’s paper type on the control panel too. On many Lexmark and Xerox models the path is:
Settings > Paper > Tray Configuration > Paper Size/Type
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Try fresh, plain copy paper Free
Load paper from a new, sealed ream of standard 20 lb copy paper and print the same page. If the ghost goes away, the old paper was the problem.
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Plug into a wall outlet and warm up the room Free
Plug the printer straight into a grounded wall outlet, not a power strip, extension cord or UPS. Avoid sharing the circuit with space heaters. If the room is cold, let the printer and paper warm up for a few hours.
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Check printer-specific ghosting settings Free
On Brother models with envelope levers, push both levers inside the back cover up for normal paper. On Canon printers, look for ghosting settings. Canon’s imageCLASS LBP122dw manual gives these paths:
Menu > Adjustment/Maintenance > Adjust Image Quality > Special Processing > Reduce Ghosting 1 > On Menu > Adjustment/Maintenance > Adjust Image Quality > Special Processing > Transfer Adjust. Mode > Mode 1
“Reduce Ghosting 1” is for ghosts after switching from small to larger paper, and may slow printing. “Transfer Adjust. Mode” is for ghosts on the same page; try Mode 2 if Mode 1 does not help. Names vary by model.
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Measure the gap and reseat the cartridge and drum Free
Measure the gap and match it to your model’s published values. Remove the toner cartridge and drum, check for packing tape or label glue on the drum, and reinstall them firmly. Do not touch the drum surface with your fingers.
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Replace the toner cartridge $
Do this if the gap matches a roller in the cartridge, or if your drum is built into the cartridge (most HP LaserJets). If you have a spare, try it first, as Lexmark suggests.
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Replace the drum unit $$
On printers with a separate drum, this is the most common hardware fix. Check drum life on the printer’s status page first. For example, Swift Ink’s compatible drum that replaces the Brother DR830 was $33.99 with a rated yield of up to 15,000 pages, and the compatible drum that replaces the HP 32A imaging drum (CF232A) was $36.99 (staging.swiftink.com, October 2026).
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Replace the fuser or transfer roller $$$
If the gap matches the fuser and the paper setting is right, the fuser is likely worn or contaminated. On some office printers it is a user-replaceable part or maintenance kit; on many small printers it is a service repair. For an older printer, weigh the repair against a new printer. Our printer cost per page calculator can help you compare what each option costs to run.
Warning: The fuser can stay hot enough to burn you well after the printer is off. Never touch it right after printing, and never spray cleaners inside the printer.
Cheat sheet: printer ghosting patterns, causes and fixes
| What you see | Most likely cause | Try first |
|---|---|---|
| Ghosts only on labels, card stock or envelopes | Paper type setting does not match the media | Set Labels, Heavy or Envelope in the driver and on the tray (free) |
| Ghosts started with a new ream or in a damp room | Paper too rough, smooth, thick or damp | Fresh, dry 20 lb copy paper from a sealed ream (free) |
| Ghosts in a cold or dry room, or first thing in the morning | Low temperature or low humidity | Warm the room and the paper, then reprint (free) |
| Printer on a power strip, extension cord or UPS | Fuser may not reach full heat | Plug straight into a wall outlet (free) |
| Gap of about 94 mm (3.7 in); on color printers, in one color only | Drum for that color, on many HP and Brother models | Check drum life, then replace the drum ($$) |
| Same gap in every color | Fuser | Fix the paper setting, then service the fuser ($$$) |
| Short gap of about 29 to 47 mm | Charge or developer roller, inside the toner or drum cartridge | Check your model’s table, then try a different cartridge ($) |
| Ghost from the last page appears on the next page | Drum memory after switching paper sizes | Check for a “Reduce Ghosting” setting (free) |
Decision path: what to try next
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1Is the faint image an exact copy of something on the page?
- Yes
- It is ghosting. Go to question 2.
- No
- It is a smudge, line or dirty-page problem. Use the smudging guide.
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2Does it happen only on certain paper, like labels or card stock?
- Yes
- Set the matching paper type in the driver and on the tray. That fixes most cases.
- No
- Go to question 3.
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3Does it go away with fresh paper, a warm room and a wall outlet?
- Yes
- Done. Keep paper sealed.
- No
- Measure the gap. Go to question 4.
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4Does the gap match the drum on your model?
- Yes
- Replace the drum, or the toner cartridge if the drum is built in.
- No
- Go to question 5.
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5Does the gap match the fuser, or show in every color?
- Yes
- Service or replace the fuser. Get a quote before you buy.
- No
- Try a different toner cartridge, then contact the printer maker.
Can a compatible toner cartridge cause ghosting?
Yes, the same way an original cartridge can. Any cartridge has parts that wear or get damaged in shipping. If the gap matches the cartridge, or the ghost started the day you installed it, swap it and test.
Check the free causes first, though. A quick test: if you still have your previous cartridge with some toner in it, put it back and print the same page. If the ghost stays, the cartridge is not the cause.
If you think a Swift Ink cartridge or drum is causing ghost images, contact our support team with your printer model and a photo of the page. See also our returns and exchanges policy.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my HP printer printing ghost images?
On most HP LaserJets the drum is built into the toner cartridge. Check the paper type setting first, then try a different cartridge. On a color LaserJet, a ghost in every color points to the fuser, per HP’s own tables.
Why does my Brother laser printer print a faint double image?
Brother’s ghosting steps cover a cold or dry room, the wrong media type setting, the envelope levers and a worn drum. Most Brother printers have a separate drum, so a ghost about 94 mm (3.7 in) below the original usually means it is time for a new drum unit.
Does low toner cause ghosting?
No. Low toner causes faded or streaky pages. Ghosting comes from a roller, the drum or the fuser. A worn-out cartridge can ghost because of its internal parts, not because it is low.
Will a new drum fix ghosting?
Only if the drum is the cause, meaning the gap matches your drum’s published distance. If the ghost only shows on labels or heavy paper, fix the paper setting instead.
Why does ghosting only happen on labels and envelopes?
They need more fuser heat than plain paper. With the type still set to Plain, toner does not fuse fully and sticks to the fuser roller. Pick the matching paper type, and use labels made for laser printers.