There is a lot that can go wrong with adding toner powder into the cartridge. One of them is frustrating episodes of blank prints. We review this problem today and highlight its causes and some solutions. ;
We also reflect on whether adding toner is worth the hustle.
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Why Do Blank Pages Arise After Adding Toner Powder?
Here are six possible explanations for blank prints after refilling the cartridge. Treat this as a troubleshooting guide to solving the problem. It would also help to note that you should not expect much after adding toner. Most cartridges are only meant for one-time use. Some refills may work, but many often don’t.
Here are some reasons why you end up getting blank pages:
1. ;Toner Not Distributed Evenly Inside the Cartridge ;
There is a chance that toner is not distributed evenly inside the cartridge. Toner may not land on some sections while refilling. This will result in blank or faint prints.
The solution to this is simple. Remove the cartridge and gently shake. Shaking will aid in redistributing toner powder in the cartridge. Insert it back, and the quality of your prints may improve.
2. ;Toner Cartridge is Wrongly Installed ;
Your printer might not be working correctly because the cartridge is wrongly positioned. Any misalignment on the cartridge will affect the printing process. You will need to remove it gently and reinsert it well. Make sure that the cartridge fits flawlessly into its slot. También, check and ensure that there are no foreign objects inside.
Refilling a toner cartridge could be complex. Some cartridges need to be opened to allow access to the inner compartments. They will have to be reassembled after refilling. If not done correctly, the cartridge may get bigger than it was. Some pins may not fit well into the cartridge. All these will affect the toner cartridge’s functionality.
You may not be able to address all these concerns if you are not an expert. Review the cartridge reassembling process if you understand its anatomy. Reinsert it back and print a test page.
3. The Cartridge is Leaking
As mentioned, some cartridges need to be dismantled during refilling. Cartridges contain many small parts that need to work in harmony. The disassembling and reassembling process may interfere with the cartridge’s integrity. The cartridge may end up leaking.
A leaking toner cartridge will not work well and may result in blank prints. Remove and assess the cartridge. You can address the toner leaks if you have the technical know-how.
Toner leaks could also lead to something bigger. You might have to open the printer compartments if there are high-volume leaks.
4. ;Damaged Drum Unit ;
Most cartridges were not meant to be refilled. At least some sections should be replaced when the cartridge is recycled.
The drum unit is the most critical section of a toner cartridge. It houses the Photoconductor drum, which takes care of imaging. It was likely scratched while dismantling the parts to refill the cartridge. The drum could also be at the end of its useful life. OPC drums integrated into the cartridges are only meant for one-time use. You may add more toner, but you may not be able to extend the drum’s useful life. That is why you end up getting blank or half-printed pages.
Failures can occur not only on the drum but also on its ground wires. Some pins may fall off while refilling the cartridge. You will need an expert to assess the whole unit and advice you.
Grease may also settle on the surfaces of the drum. This will affect its functionality. The drum is sensitive to scratches, shock, oil, and water. Be sure to observe these safety precautions while refilling your cartridge.
5. ;Wrong Toner ;
There is also a chance that you have used the wrong toner for your printer model. Laser printers work with precise temperatures to melt the toner onto the paper. Each model is set to work with specific temperatures. Toner is also set to melt at predetermined temperatures. Different printers thus use different toners that meet the requirements.
You might have used the wrong toner to refill your cartridge. The toner powder may not melt at the temperatures subjected by the fuser unit.
This will result in streaks and half-printed pages.
If you must refill your cartridges, ensure to refill with the correct toner. Do not settle for those generic toners sold in the streets. You may incur losses in your haste to cutting on your printing costs.
6. ;Issues on the Magnetic Roller
The cartridge’s magnetic roller may not have been installed correctly. Most stages of laser printing rely on charges. Magnetic rollers play a crucial role in this aspect. Its integrity may have been affected when the cartridge was dismantled. Assess and address this section. It might be challenging if you do not have the necessary experience.
Entonces, Is Refilling Cartridges Worth the Hustle?
Refilling a cartridge might seem workable on a surface look. You might think that it will help you cut the printing costs. It may work on some occasions. Yet, in general, the whole process is surrounded by many uncertainties.
You’d rather sit down and assess the whole process. Think of the steps you’d take and the aftermath. You would need to buy toner, dismantle the cartridge, refill and reassemble.
Here are some concerns that you’d need to think about:
- Where are you buying your toner?
- What if the toner is not compatible with your printer?
- Does the cartridge need to be dismantled for it to be refilled?
- Who will do the dismantling and refilling?
- How much will you pay the technician to refill the cartridge?
- What if the cartridge will not work at the end of the day?
- How much will you lose in the entire process?
Is the whole process worth the hurdle? Certainly not, especially if you are not an expert. Statistics have it that 60% of the refilled cartridges will not work. You can consider other strategies to cutting on printing costs.
And you might be wondering, what are these options?
Cut Your Printing Cost by Resorting to Compatible Toner Cartridges
Whereas it’s not a good idea to refill cartridges, sticking to OEM is still not a choice. Their pricing is exaggerated. If you stick to them, your printing cost may shoot through the roof. You will end up reducing your profit margins.
There are options such as compatible toner cartridges which can get the job done. They resemble OEM cartridges in everything, except with pricing.
Compatible toner cartridges will cost a small fraction of the OEM pricing. It will offer you manageable printing costs.
The only hustle with compatible cartridges is getting a reputable manufacturer. There are several manufacturers and suppliers of these products. Some of them do not take their products seriously. You might fall for poor-quality products if you’re not keen. It would help to find out the quality of these third-party products.
We’re in this industry, and ours is a particular focus on quality. It’s our culture to assess our products’ functionality at different production levels. We still have a solution if you are unsure of what you get from us. We are ready to ship a sample for you to confirm the quality and compatibility. You can always talk to us.