Dell 1700 laser printer prints fine sometimes and very light other times

SOURCE: dell 1700 laser printer wont load from tray only manual

If the rollers don't turn (or turn and slip) and maybe you hear a clicking noise from the left side of the printer, there is a spring clutch inside the gear at the end of the shaft going to the swing arm. I found that sometimes grease gets inside and causes the spring to slip instead of grip like it should. If you're very careful, you can take off the left side cover and lay the printer on its right side (left side facing up). Then remove 3 or 4 screws around the gear assembly and lift the assembly straight off the printer. To get to the spring clutch, you'll have to move a couple gears out of the way (remember how they go back or you're screwed - and watch the toner arm spring as well). Remove the plastic c-clip on the end of the pickup shaft and lift off the clutch gear. Pull the gear apart and wipe off any grease from the inner surfaces where the clutch spring sits. Reverse your steps to put it back together.

SOURCE: Dell 1700 laser printer has Low toner and error lights flashing

I was able to reset the drum counter using your instructions and print a test page with the 'Continue' button, so I know that the printer is functioning but my system still tells me that I have an "Unknown Toner Level" when I try to print a document and will not print. Is there a fix for this?

SOURCE: dell 1700 laser printer

Call Dell. the 1700 has special reset instructions for resetting the drum count.

SOURCE: DELL Laser printer 1700/1700n

All flashing lights for the Dell 1700 series (1700, 1710, 1720 including those that have n or dn as part of the model) printers is a service related error. When double pressing the continue button twice quickly, the printer will give a secondary error code, narrowing down the printer part being effected. It is possible to even narrow the error code down even futher by double pressing the continue button and taking note of which combination of lights come on, wether they are steady or blinking. Most generally when this series of printers, when you get all flashing lights, something major is going on with the printer. It could be pointing to the fuser, or main board, etc. You can call dell warranty support and they will help narrow down which part is being effected. Most generally, what is being effected is not cost effective to get fixed if you are no longer under warranty.

Joel Rodriguez

• 465 Answers
• Posted on Jan 10, 2010

SOURCE: Keep getting "Printer Offline" from Dell 1700 printer

go to the start menu
click on run
type services.msc
on the list go to Print Spooler
double click on print spooler and select automatic on startup type
now press on start.

if that doesn't work go to this microsoft website and click on the Fix It icon with the little man holding a wrench. run this and it will fix it.