How to Change a Toner?

Why is the toner empty again? Most of us have probably asked ourselves this question at some point.
The toner cartridge's yield is based on 5% page coverage, or even just 2.8% page coverage according to some ISO standards. In the first case, 95% of the page would be white – unimaginable, for example, for real estate agents who print many photos. Learn here how to quickly and safely change the toner.

How to Tell if a Toner is Empty?

When the toner is empty, the printer or copier will first give warnings about low toner levels.

Now is the right time to order a new toner! Until your new toner arrives, you should still be able to print with the old cartridge without any issues.

The printer does not know the exact remaining toner amount and cannot determine it precisely. Even with a warning, you may still be able to print an additional 50 to 100 pages.

Here's how you can tell the toner needs to be changed:

• The print becomes lighter (usually in the middle of the page).
• The device shows messages like: Empty Toner, Replace Toner, Replace Cartridge, Change Toner, Insert New Toner, etc.

Streaks or light prints do not necessarily indicate an empty toner. A worn drum unit could also be the cause.

If your device uses a replaceable toner with no separate drum, the toners already have an integrated drum, and the situation described above does not apply.

Printing with an Empty Toner

If prints, especially in the middle, become fainter, you can remove the toner cartridge from the device and gently shake it horizontally. The remaining toner powder will redistribute evenly, and in many cases, you will be able to print an additional 50 to 100 pages. That's been our experience.

Ordering New Toner

When ordering toner, make sure to check if high-yield toners, double packs, or multipacks (which contain one toner per color) are available for your device. These options typically lower printing costs, making it worthwhile to take advantage of these offers.

Inserting Toner into the Printer

With laser printers or laser multifunction devices, it’s a good idea to wait a while after the last use before replacing the toner. Toner is melted onto paper at high temperatures. After large print jobs, the toner cartridges and the internal components of the printer or copier can become very hot, so be careful not to burn yourself!

Most printers and copiers are largely self-explanatory.
Larger devices often display a step-by-step guide for changing the cartridge on the built-in screen.

Usually, there is a flap on the device that needs to be opened to remove the empty toner and insert the new one. Depending on the device, the number of cartridges to be replaced may vary. In color laser printers, toners may be located in a drawer or a carousel.

You can find detailed information in your printer’s manual. If you've lost the manual, manufacturers often offer downloadable versions on their websites.

Pictured: Many toner cartridges include a quick-change guide. This Brother TN cartridge, for example, shows how to handle the separate drum unit.

Is Toner Powder Toxic?

When removing the toner cartridge, make sure your skin doesn't come into contact with the toner powder. It's best to wear disposable gloves. If toner powder does get on your skin, you can easily wash it off with cold water. Warm water would cause the resins in the toner to melt and make the toner stick visibly to your skin for days.

If toner spills on clothing or carpets, shake or beat them out immediately and clean with cold water if necessary. Warm water would again make the fabric unusable. Also, never vacuum spilled toner with a standard household vacuum cleaner. The toner is so fine that it can pass through most vacuum bags and be spread throughout the room. Toner also contains a lot of metal oxide and can damage the vacuum under certain conditions.

Using Original and Compatible Toners Together

If you're considering switching from original to compatible toners, you might wonder if it's possible to mix both cartridge types. For example, in a color laser printer, you could replace the cyan toner with a compatible toner while the remaining cartridges are still original toners.

Although technically possible, we recommend against mixing toners from different manufacturers. Toner has manufacturer-specific characteristics that affect its composition and adhesion. Combining toners from different manufacturers in one device will likely result in poor print quality.

Disposing of Old Toner

Toners from laser printers are rarely completely free of toner dust.

It’s understandable that you'd want to dispose of them quickly before the fine powder gets on your hands or clothes. We recommend storing the empty cartridges in the original box of the new cartridge and possibly even in its plastic wrap.

Empty toner cartridges are not household waste. They are made from various plastic and metal composites and contain many components that can be reused for a second or even third cartridge life.

Further information can be found here: How to Properly Dispose of Toner