MP495 has random cat hairs or something inside?

[trifles]

I've tried the usual cleaning utilities but nothing has helped, including the Q-tip suggestion related to Bottom Plate Cleaning (and the hair marks are on the printed side, not the back of the paper). There must be a way to find and remove whatever is causing this - see image. Help?

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

The missing lines in the test pattern would appear to indicate a partial clog of the printhead.  This might cause smearing, etc.  I'd start with a cleaning operation.

[trifles]

This is helpful - thank you! I'll run that and report back to the forum....

[trifles]

Well - things seem to have gotten worse. Ugh. I feel like there must be an easy solution....