Independent printer help. Not affiliated with any printer manufacturer.

The Print Bench
Check my device

Toner low message after replacing the cartridge

Still seeing toner low or replace toner after fitting a new cartridge? Remove seals, reseat it, reset the counter and check the drum to clear it.

10–20 min
Moderate
Updated

Quick fix

Take the new cartridge out and remove every seal, pull tab and protective cover, then reinsert it until it locks and close the front cover firmly. Turn the printer off and back on. If the message stays, your model may need a toner counter reset, which is described in its manual.

Didn’t work? Go to the full steps

You might see

  • Toner low or replace toner stays on after a new cartridge goes in
  • The printer refuses to print, saying the toner is empty
  • The supplies page still shows the old toner level
  • The message appears only with a refilled or compatible cartridge

Usually caused by

  • Shipping seal or protective cover still attached
  • Cartridge not locked in place, or not locked into the drum unit
  • A model that needs a manual counter reset
  • A drum message mistaken for a toner message
  • A chip or reset gear on a refilled cartridge that wasn't renewed

Safety first. Power off and let the printer cool before reaching in, as the fuser near the back can be hot, and don't touch the drum surface or leave it in bright light for long.

Step-by-step fix

Work through the steps in order and check each one off. Most people are printing again before the last step.

Laser printers

0 of 6 steps tried

  1. Remove all packing

    New toner cartridges often have a plastic seal, a long pull tab or a protective cover over the roller. Remove them all, following the arrows on the packaging, and keep the cartridge level.

  2. Rock and reseat

    Rock the cartridge gently side to side a few times to spread the toner, then slide it in until it locks. On printers with a separate drum unit, the toner must click into the drum first; listen for the click and check any lock lever has moved.

  3. Close and power cycle

    Close the front cover firmly, since most printers only read the new cartridge with the cover shut. Then turn the printer off for 30 seconds and back on.

  4. Check it is not a drum message

    On printers with separate drum and toner, a message such as drum end soon or replace drum refers to the drum, not the toner. It's cleared by replacing the drum or resetting its counter, not by changing toner.

  5. Reset the toner counter if needed

    Some models detect a new cartridge automatically, while others need a reset from the control panel menu or a button sequence. The procedure is model-specific, so follow your manual or the maker's support site rather than guessing key combinations.

  6. Refilled cartridges

    Many laser cartridges use a chip or a small reset gear to tell the printer they're new. A refilled cartridge may still report empty if that chip or gear wasn't renewed, so check the supplier's instructions for resetting it.

Common questions

Can I keep printing when it says toner low?

Usually, yes, for a good while. Replace the cartridge when prints start to fade or the printer says the toner has run out.

What is the difference between toner and drum?

Toner is the powder that forms the image; the drum transfers it to the paper. Some printers combine them in one cartridge, while others use a separate drum that lasts through several toner cartridges.

Related fixes

Press Enter to see all results. Use ↑ ↓ to move.