Are You Sure That Toner Cartridge Is Empty?

[abajan]

Do you own a Brother laser printer? Does it seem like you're running out of toner way too early? Well, if you use that printer often, reading this could easily save you thousands of dollars. Hopefully, you haven't discarded any "empty" cartridges because they contain lots of unused toner.

[coriolis]

I don't have one of those printers, but I am curious. More information, please.

[Ed Mahmoud]

I always shake any 'empty' cartridge, and get an extra couple of weeks...

[O Town]

I don't have one of those printers, but I am curious. More information, please.

Did you go to the link he provided?
I don't have a Brother but if I did I would be flammed to say the least.
I am amazed at how much more printing people are saying they are getting out of the cartridge by using a piece of electrical tape, when the printer is trying to tell them its empty. Wow.

[coriolis]

I don't have one of those printers, but I am curious. More information, please.

Did you go to the link he provided?
I don't have a Brother but if I did I would be flammed to say the least.
I am amazed at how much more printing people are saying they are getting out of the cartridge by using a piece of electrical tape, when the printer is trying to tell them its empty. Wow.

ooOOOHHHHhhhhh. I didn't notice the link.

Thanks O Town. Good Stuff!

[Rainband]

what link??

[coriolis]

The word "this" in the third sentence. I hate that kind of sneaky link.

[abajan]

The word "this" in the third sentence. I hate that kind of sneaky link.

Sorry about that folks. Perhaps in this instance it would have been better if I'd just put http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/forums/laser/39806

Ed Mahmoud, in my case shaking only worked sometimes and I think I now know why. The times it worked was when toner obstructed one or both of the detection windows at the conclusion of shaking. Mind you, it would still be a good idea to periodically shake your cartridges, especially if you haven't used your printer for a while or if you live in humid conditions. Shaking can help to keep the toner powdery and prevent clumping.

Btw, it appears that thread at the link might be useful to owners of other brands of laser printers. One recent contributer stated that covering the windows with tape worked with his Ricoh printer.

[Cyclone1]

I hate printers...

All printers.

[Nimbus]

The cheap color aftermarket cartridges often give mixed results especially if you are using an inkjet style printer. Fortunately most of my printing is just text statements and documents. Its hard to get black wrong so buying the aftermarket only black cartridges resolves the problem for me.

http://www.abc-toner-cartridges.co.uk/Toner_Cartridges/

[abajan]

I hate printers...

All printers.

You sure about that, Cyclone1? Did you read my post last year entitled "Printers Are About To Get Much Faster"? If you haven't, here it is: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=100445

[JonathanBelles]

I wanted to shoot my printer today. Its out of cyan ink, and even though the black ink is 2/3rds of the way full, it wont print.

[CajunMama]

fact, if you can invest in a printer that uses separate cartridges for each color. Printers are really cheap these days. That's the way to go. I would get just as aggravated as you when one color would run out of the cartridge and you'd have to buy a whole new cartridge with all the colors just to replace one color. I finally chunked that printer and got one that i can replace each color. I've probably saved more money by buying a new printer.

[JonathanBelles]

I have a printer with seperate cartriges!

[abajan]

I have a printer with separate cartridges!

Check fixyourprinter.com for a workaround to get that black cartridge firing again. Just type your printer's make and model into the box.

[O Town]

I have a printer with separate cartridges!

Check fixyourprinter.com for a workaround to get that black cartridge firing again. Just type your printer's make and model into the box.

That is an awesome link, saved in my favs. now. Thx!!!!

[abajan]

Important Update

Please take the following precautions if blocking the holes:

• Ensure that the material used is securely in place (if it falls off and gets into the works of the printer, you could have a BIG repair bill on your hands)
• Closely monitor your printouts and at the first sign of that color (of the modified cartridge) going, replace the cartridge. Continuing to use the truly empty cartridge can shorten the life of the printer