You don’t have to stick to overly priced original cartridges as other alternatives exist. You can try compatible toner cartridges, which offer the same results.
Yet, there are times when a printer will refuse to work with these third-party products. The good thing is that a small hack of replacing the chip can solve the problem. This guide outlines the steps to follow.
Understanding a Toner Cartridge Chip
A cartridge chip helps in communication between the printer and cartridge. It’s a small device inserted into a circuit board.
Features of the Chip
The toner cartridge chip has the following features:
- It has a memory to store information
- Sometimes it’s equipped with a processor to run some checks and give responses
- Some chips come equipped with a circuit that feeds the processor
- It can communicate with the printer either via radio frequency or direct contact
Functions of the Chip
It stores the following information:
- Cartridge model
- Toner cartridge’s page yield
- Toner level remaining in the cartridge
- The number of pages already printed
- It holds the information that allows the printer to track the toner levels. This data will be shared with the printer whenever it needs the details.
The chip also serves to inform the printer that it’s using the correct toner cartridge
Why Do You Need to Replace the Toner Cartridge Chip?
Original toner cartridges come with chips. These toner cartridges are expensive, which unnecessarily raises the cost of printing. The second-best alternative is compatible toner cartridges. These are way cheaper and can help you keep your printing in check.
The problem is that some of these cartridges do not come with chips. Some come with the chips but may not work well with your printer. The solution lies in replacing the chips, and your cartridge will work pretty well.
The chips in the old original cartridges will work. Replacements will entail removing them and fixing on the compatible toner cartridges. There is no need to worry if the chips on the compatible toner cartridges will work.
Steps to Replacing the Cartridge Chip
You need to get an empty original toner cartridge and a new compatible one. You will transfer the chip from the old cartridge to the new one.
Here are the steps to follow:
Preparation Step:
- Turn off your printer and pull out the cartridge.
- Lay the cartridges on some old newspapers on level ground.
- Lay the old cartridge on the angle as the new cartridge
- Ensure that you can access the chips on the two cartridges. The chip is located on the underside of most cartridges.
Gently Remove the Chip from the Old Cartridge:
- This is likely the most challenging step. You need to make sure that you can remove the chip in good shape.
- Get a sharp tool and gently strike the inner side of the chip. Try it until it gets loose, and remove it from the cartridge.
Inserting the Chip on the New Cartridge:
- You need to insert the chip on the very spot it was on the old cartridge. Some cartridges will have some plastic tabs that hold the cartridge. Others will rely on some glue to get it to stick on the cartridge.
- Whichever mechanism it is, ensure that it can hold it tight. You might want to press the chip with your index fingers to fit well. You can use a pair of tweezers if you have one.
- Removing and inserting the chips differs from one cartridge to another. Some compatible toner cartridges will come with tools to make the process easier.
Video Guides:
Video guide 1:
This guide shows how to transfer a chip from an old cartridge into a new one. The process will work for the following HP cartridges: HP 134A, 134X, W1340A, and W1340X series.
Video guide 2:
This video shows the same process of replacing chips in HP 206A and 206X toner cartridges.
Things to Keep in Mind While Replacing the Chip
1. Avoid Scratching the Chip
Any scratches will affect the chip’s functionality. Avoid touching the “gold” part at all costs. Use plastic tweezers whenever you have to hold the chip. You may also use dry clean hands. Keep in mind that all electronics are sensitive to water.
2. Be Mindful of the Direction of the Chip while Inserting it Into a New Cartridge
It’s not unusual to get confused about where the chip should face. Ensure that the upper part will remain facing up on the new cartridge. The chip will not work if you alter the direction. Keeping your cartridges in the exact alignment will help you get the directions.
3. Use A Chip from the Toner Cartridge of a Corresponding Color
If you are handling a cyan toner cartridge, remove a chip from an old cyan cartridge. You should match the colors to avoid compatibility troubles. Be sure to use a chip from a cartridge of the same model. This is because the chip keeps the toner cartridge’s information.
4. Ignore Low Toner Warnings from New Cartridges after Replacing the Chips
You are likely to face challenges with the toner reader. Your printer may treat the new cartridge as though it was the old one without toner. Ignore the low-toner warnings and keep printing. Manually inspect the tone level and replace the cartridge once completely emptied. One indicator is faint prints.
Steps to Resetting the Chip
Transferring the chip into your new cartridge is one step; you’d still need to reset the chip. Once you insert the chip, your printer might think that you’ve inserted the old cartridge. It will warn you that the cartridge is empty and that you need to replace it.
You’d need to reset the chip to make the counter start counting afresh. The resetting process and success vary with printer models. Some store the toner levels permanently, and resetting will not be possible. Some are equipped with a plastic reset chip that can restore the counter to zero. Others require a complicated process involving a chip resetter device.
Resetting Using a Toner Cartridge Resetter
This is a small device that resets the chip’s memory. Once reset, the chip will treat the cartridge as though it’s a new one. The cartridge will start counting the number of pages afresh. It will also assume the cartridge is filled with toner.
You’d need to get a resetter compatible with the specific toner cartridge you are using.
Follow the following steps to reset:
- Hold the cartridge to face up while laying on a flat surface
- Hold the resetter to face up. Its LED lights should be pointing up as well
- Push the pins or button down on the chip until when the LED lights turn green. If there are no lights, you should hear some sound that indicates that the cartridge chip has been reset.
- Open the printer and insert the cartridge inside. The printer should now start working perfectly well with the new toner level.
Resetting the Chip Using the Printers Control Panel
This option works for most HP printers.
Follow the following steps to reset the smart chip:
- Turn off your printer. Unlike other procedures, do not unplug it from the wall socket.
- Access the control panel and hold the “Go” button. It’s a green button on other printer models.
- Power on the printer while holding that button.
- Your printer might display “Cold Reset,” followed by the sound of rotating motors.
- Release the button. The screen might display the factory rest process and afterwards go offline.
- Press the Go button to get the printer online, and you are good to go.
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