Printers have been here for decades, but dealing with some challenges still frustrates. Some of the difficulties do not need a technician. You can fix most of them with practical knowledge of the printer’s working principles.
This guide seeks to shed light on the causes and solutions to OPC Stained with Toner. Knowledge on this topic will help you care for your printer and deal with arising challenges.
Let’s get to the basics:
What is OPC?
OPC is short for Organic Photoconductor. It is one of the needed equipment for laser printing. It is sometimes referred to as an imaging drum or a Photoconductor Unit. Other suppliers call it the Print Unit.
The OPC is supplied with a static charge while printing. This charge is opposite to the one which the toner receives. This makes the OPC attract the toner, forming images on its surface. Toner will then be transferred directly or through the transfer belt into the paper. Afterwards, the piece with toner is heated at the fuser unit.
Ideally, toner should not be in contact with the OPC while the printer is turned off. Over time though, you may find toner on the surface of the Photoconductor. This might cause a host of problems. One common problem is toner stains on some paper sections which were not meant to be printed.
Possible Reasons Why Your Printer’s OPC Is Stained with Toner
Let’s review some of the causes and possible solutions to addressing OPC stained with toner:
1. ;The OPC Could be Having Sticky Substance Such as Grease
Toner can stick on greasy or sticky surfaces. Any sticky substance that gets on the surface of the OPC will cause problems. That is why it’s advisable not to touch the drum. Your fingers could be oily, which will make your drum to be sticky. Be careful while inserting the toner cartridge if it comes with the drum.
You will need a dry cloth to resolve this issue. Wipe it gently, with care not to damage the drum. OPC is a fragile piece, and anything forceful might damage it. Avoid using a wet piece of cloth, as it will interfere with its electrical sensitivity.
2. ;Toner Leakage from Refilled Cartridges
;New toner cartridges could be expensive to some sections. Consumers have thus devised some ways to cut their printing budget. Some have gone to the extent of refilling toner cartridges once emptied.
Refilling it comes with several quality concerns, such as faded prints. The toner could even leak from the cartridge. Alongside getting to the drum unit, the toner could spill to the inner sections of your printer. This is potentially harmful to your machine.
Dealing with this is straightforward. Do not refill your toner cartridges. その代わり, you can buy more affordable products such as compatible cartridges. This would cut on the printing cost and offer a smooth printing experience. ;
You can also invest in better printers whose cartridges are less expensive. Those cartridges without the drum are the cheapest. The manufacturing cost is way cheaper than the conventional ones, which come with a drum.
3. ;Faulty Toner Cartridges
Faulty toner cartridges could also be the reason behind toner-stained OPC. It might not have passed through the proper manufacturing process. Maybe the cartridge is leaking, or the drum is not inserted correctly.
Dealing with this issue prompts a toner replacement. Always source your products from those suppliers you can trust. Do not risk your printer from the cheapest products in the market. The cost of the cartridges is also not a significant indicator. Do not always associate the price with an assurance of quality. The rule of thumb is to work with suppliers that promise quality and affordability.
Cartridges could also get damaged while on transit. Be sure always to ship them with care.
4. ;Damaged OPCs
OPC with scratches tends to keep toner on its surfaces. Scratches can occur based on how the cartridge is handled. Printing recycled papers with staple pins may also cause scratches on printer parts.
Remove the toner cartridge and assess the drum. Replacement would be the best solution while using printers with independent drums. You can order the drum matching your printer brand and type.
You will need to replace the whole cartridge if the drum is built into the cartridge. You can still use it until you empty the toner if the problem is not affecting the print quality.
Check recycled papers thoroughly and remove staples before printing. また, ensure that no foreign objects fall inside the printer. Those objects will scratch the movable parts if they fall inside the printer.
Properly dealing with paper jams also offers better chances to keep the life of OPC. Gently remove those papers stuck inside the printer, especially those with higher densities.
5. ;OPC past its Useful Life
This applies to those printers with independent slots from the OPC. You might have been replacing the cartridge with toner only. There is a chance that you have never thought about the drum itself. The fact that you do not replace them with toner does not mean that they were meant to last a lifetime. It’s likely time to replace them if toner is staining it regularly.
You do not have to worry if you use printers with cartridges having drums. You will be replacing the drum every time you replace the toner cartridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Organic Photoconductors Last?
Printers come in various makes. Some have inbuilt drums slots, while others rely on the one coming with the toner cartridge. You will need to replace those that are independent of cartridges. Most of them can print three to five rounds of toners cartridges. The frequency of replacement varies from printer to printer.
There is no need to worry if you use printers with cartridges coming with the drum. Using those means that you will be replacing the drum every time you replace the toner.
Which Laser Printer Is Best For Me? With Or Without Inbuilt OPC?
Printers with separate slots for toner and drums are more expensive. The advantage is that their toner cartridges are more affordable. Their cartridges are only containers with toner. If you can raise more to afford these printers, you will spend less on toner supplies. You can spend more on the initial capital and less on supplies. Alternately, you can raise less initial money and keep investing more in consumables.
Does Compatible Cartridges Shorten My OPC Life?
Quality compatible toner cartridges work perfectly well with all printers. What you only need to do is to source them from trustworthy suppliers. Poor quality products could cause a host of problems. They will affect your overall printing experience.
Could You Be Looking For Compatible Toner Cartridges?
We are a compatible toner manufacturer based in China. We have the logistical capacity to deliver our products globally. We care about your satisfaction, and we do all it takes to meet your needs. Even if you want a sample to help you decide, we will see it delivered to you. We have been in this industry for ten years now, and we know what customers want. You can always talk to us.