Fresh ink smears can be caused by the wrong paper setting, unsuitable media or a printer-side ink problem. First compare the paper you loaded with the selected type and the maker's supported media.
Check the sheet
Use clean, dry paper within the printer's supported weight and finish. Photo paper has a printable side; loading it incorrectly can make ink sit on a coating it cannot absorb. Do not touch wet ink while diagnosing.
Compare print settings
Check the driver's paper type and quality setting. A plain-paper profile used on glossy media, or the reverse, can change ink application. Print a small test image after correcting the setting rather than wasting a full document.
If marks repeat in the same place
Look at the model's official roller or paper-path cleaning procedure. Do not use household solvents or open a service-only compartment. Contact support if ink leaks or the printer smears even on a built-in test page.
Official references
Useful next steps
Found a mismatch? Request a correction with the public source URL and exact model, without passwords or full serial numbers.