Whether you manage a busy office or just have a printer at home, you know that toner and ink can be costly. The idea of refilling your toner is a common life hack, but it’s not as easy as it may seem.
Can you refill a toner cartridge?
The answer is yes, but it may not be worth it. Refilling can be a messy endeavor with mixed results.
We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to refill a toner cartridge. You’ll learn the pros and cons of filling a cartridge, what supplies you’ll need, and a step-by-step guide.
If you find the process too cumbersome, we’ll also show you an alternative way you can save money with unwanted and unused toner.
Can You Refill a Toner Cartridge?
Before we dive into how to refill a toner cartridge, there’s a crucial question we must address.
Can you refill a toner cartridge, or is it just a DIY pipe dream?
The good news is that a fair number of cartridges can be refilled. But you still need to know what you’re doing to avoid leaks, spills, poor print quality, and damage to your printer.
Signs Your Cartridge is Low on Toner
Before refilling your cartridge, you need to recognize the signs of low toner. Most of the symptoms will appear in the printing results themselves.
Faded, uneven, or streaking prints are a classic signal. That includes text and images that appear light or missing altogether.
Some printers may also alert you if your toner is low or empty. You should also look for leaked powder inside and around your cartridge or printer, as this may cause low toner levels even after a refill.
Which Toner Cartridges Can Be Refilled?
If you’re going to learn how to refill a toner cartridge, you need to check if it’s even possible for your brand.
Some cartridges are made to be refilled, usually older ones. However, a sizable number of modern-day cartridges, including those from big-box brands like Canon, HP, and Brother, use chips and sensors that make refilling complicated.
Those chips may prevent the printer from reading and using refilled toner, leading to the same poor-quality results you were already experiencing.
Is it Worth it to Refill a Toner Cartridge?
We know that laser printer toner costs aren’t cheap, especially for brand-new cartridges.
But is it worth your time and money to learn how to refill a toner cartridge? Do you even save that much money by refilling toner? And how long does printer toner last if it’s been refilled? Let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of doing so.
Pros of Refilling Toner Cartridges
One of the main reasons office managers and homeowners want to learn how to refill a toner cartridge is simple–it’s supposed to save you money. Buying powder and putting it in your used cartridge can delay the need for a completely new one, usually at a lower cost.
Reusing a toner cartridge is also eco-friendly, helping to reduce plastic waste. However, you can also recycle empty ones, so you still have options even if you aren’t refilling.
Placing new powder in your old toner container can also be convenient – you can get your printer back up and running without waiting for a new order to arrive.
Cons of Refilling Toner Cartridges
Topping up your toner isn’t all sunshine and roses. There are several drawbacks to consider that may affect your printing results and even put your machine at risk.
Refilled cartridges produce weaker quality print jobs compared to fresh ones. That’s even if you master all the nuances of learning how to refill a toner cartridge.
Incorrectly replenishing your toner can void your printer’s warranty and cause leaks or damage to it.
Toner also expires quicker when it has been filled in a cartridge. To top it all off, many cartridges have chips and sensors that require specialized equipment. The cost savings you receive may be wiped away by the need to refill tools and supplies.
How to Refill a Toner Cartridge: Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you know the pros and cons of renewing your toner, it’s time to teach you how to do it. Whether you already know how to transfer ink from one cartridge to another like a pro or you’re brand new to even using a printer, we’ll guide you through the process so you can do it yourself.
What You’ll Need
First, you’ll want to gather some equipment.
You’ll need toner refiller powder that is specific to your cartridge model. Using a generic or off-brand toner could cause damage. Make sure that you’ve selected the right printer toner colors for your machine, too.
You also need a funnel, which will let you pour the powder into the fill hole. This may also require a screwdriver, drill, or small knife to make a fill hole if your cartridge doesn’t come with one.
Grab some protective gloves and a mask as well, as toner powder can be irritating to your skin and lungs. Make sure you’re working in a clear space with newspaper or tissue paper to catch any spills. A tiny brush or can of compressed air can also help you keep the cartridge and workspace clean.
Finally, you may need a smart chip resetting tool or replacement if your brand uses them.
Many of these products come in toner refill kits, but not all of them. Be sure to check everything off your list before beginning.
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Toner powder can make a big mess if you aren’t prepared. You’ll need a well-ventilated area to work in, with good lighting and something to cover your desk, table, or floor.
Keep some tissues, towels, or compressed air nearby as needed. And if possible, avoid refilling your toner near carpet, or you’ll never get spills out.
Step 2: Remove the Toner Cartridge from the Printer
Start by turning off your printer and unplugging it from its power source. You’ll then open the machine, usually from the top cover, to find the toner cartridge. You’ll usually be able to lift or slide it out of its slot, but check your manual if you’re not certain.
Make sure you’re handling the cartridge gently–if there’s still toner inside, you might end up spilling it.
Step 3: Locate the Fill Hole (Or Create One)
Most refillable toner cartridges will have a slot for it. It may be hidden behind a plug or label. It should be relatively easy to open.
If you don’t find a fill hole, you need to make one. You can do so with a small drill, knife, or screwdriver, usually on the top or side of the cartridge. Your specific brand of toner may have recommendations online for a spot.
However, note that if you don’t see a fill hole, it may be a sign that you can’t refill toner in that cartridge. Double-check the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you don’t cause damage to your machine.
Step 4: Empty Remaining Toner (Optional but Recommended)
It may seem counterintuitive to empty your remaining toner powder. After all, you’re trying to save money and make the most of your investment.
But we highly recommend getting rid of that old powder. Toner can clump or deteriorate after use, which may be the cause of your poor printing results. You also don’t want to mix two different types of toner powder, which can happen if you’re not careful.
To empty the old toner, hold the cartridge over a trash can or container. You may need to tap on it or gently blow compressed air into it, but avoid being too rough, as this could damage internal components.
Step 5: Refill with New Toner Powder
The most crucial step is also one of the simplest. You’ll place your funnel into the fill hole at a slight angle. Pour the powder into the funnel slowly, letting it flow gently into the cartridge.
Do so until it feels full, but be careful not to overfill it, as that can cause leaks or damage. It’s a good idea to shake the cartridge a bit to let the toner settle evenly.
Step 6: Seal the Cartridge
Now you’ll need to reseal the cartridge to avoid leaks. If there was already a fill hole, this process should be pretty straightforward – you’ll either reinsert the plug or use a piece of electrical tape where the old label was.
If you made the fill hole yourself, tape will also work, but you’ll want to pay extra attention to the seal to avoid leaks.
You should also wipe down the outside of the cartridge to clear any excess dust before moving on.
Step 7: Reset the Chip (If Required)
If your cartridge comes with a smart chip, you must reset it here. These chips track your toner levels and help notify you when you need a replacement.
After manual refills, these chips can get out of whack. You’ll need a chip resetter or a new, compatible chip for your machine.
While some printer manuals may include instructions on how to do this, not all devices are refill-friendly, so you may need to get creative.
Step 8: Reinstall and Test
Reinstall the toner cartridge the same way you initially removed it: slide or snap it back into place. Double-check that it’s positioned securely to avoid leaks.
Take a breather here; your toner cartridge is now refilled and sealed, and you’re ready to get back to printing. You’ll want to run some tests for your print quality. Check for sharp text, vibrant images, and no signs of streaks or smudges.
If all looks good, your job is done!
Troubleshooting Common Refill Problems
Often, if you’re replenishing your toner for the first time, you may encounter any number of problems during the process or after running a test page.
If you’re still experiencing faded text and streaky pages, the powder might not be evenly distributed within the cartridge. You’ll want to shake it and check for over- or underfilling.
Toner leaks are standard, and usually come from a failed seal around your fill hole. You may need to replace the tape or plug.
If your printer isn’t recognizing the newly refreshed cartridge, it’s usually due to one of two reasons. Either the smart chip needs to be reset or replaced, or the cartridge isn’t housed properly within your machine.
If you’re still experiencing errors after these fixes, you may need to buy a new toner cartridge entirely. But it never hurts to triple-check each step in the process; minor leaks or electronic issues may go unnoticed at first.
Final Words on How to Refill a Toner Cartridge
Let’s recap. Can you refill a toner cartridge? For many brands, you can. However, the better question to ask is: Should you?
While refills may seem like a way to save money, it’s a messy and haphazard process that can go awry. You need to find the perfect brand of toner, gather the necessary tools, and even deal with smart chip and electronic issues.
While it’s possible, you’re often better off avoiding the hassle and buying a new cartridge outright. You may even be able to recycle your old cartridges cheaply.
If you’re able to refill your existing cartridges, you might be left with a bunch of unused, brand-new cartridges. Did you know that you can sell toner cartridges for cash?
At Selltoner.com, we specialize in ink and toner reverse logistics, buying unopened cartridges for market rates. We work with retailers to supply OEM printing supplies, all while putting cash in your pockets.
When you sell to us, you’ll be greeted with competitive prices, fast payment, and our easy online platform. Plus, we have a friendly team available to answer any questions you may have.
You can also visit our blog for more insights into the world of office supplies, including articles exploring how to tell if an ink cartridge is empty by looking at it, or do laser printers dry out.
If you’re ready to get an instant offer for your unwanted brand-new toner, visit our website today!
