Replacing a cartridge in a printer HP, Canon, Epson, Samsung and others

Replacing the cartridge in the printer can be easily done by the owner himself at home. The list of steps is the same regardless of the device model, be it HP, Canon, Epson, Samsung, Brother, Kyocera, OKI or Xerox. This “moment” does not have an important impact. Only for laser and inkjet devices, consumables need to be changed differently. In this material we will tell you in detail how to remove and insert a new ink tank or toner correctly so as not to harm your equipment.

6 How to install a new one

6.1 Video

7 How to install in laser

8 Functionality check

8.1 Printing a test page

When to change?

The first signs of an imminent need to replace the cartridge with a new one may be problems with the quality of printed sheets:

White vertical, less often horizontal, stripes on paper. They can appear in different places on the leaf. For laser printers, this problem can be solved by gently shaking the consumable, but this will not help for long. In inkjet, this method does not work at all.
Letters are not completely printed, entire words disappear, and the edges of the sheet are invisible.
Fuzzy gray text tone.
One of the color shades has disappeared or their rendering is distorted and does not match the original.
The message “Replace Toner” appears on the monitor or printer display. This is, if the cartridge is equipped with special chips (chipped) to count the number of printouts, the message begins to appear when there is still 10-20% of the dye left, and therefore you will have time to buy a replacement for it. Products in the more expensive segment are equipped with this function. Budget models do not have built-in tracking tools - their cartridges are not chipped. Although recently, in order to combat the use of non-original consumables, some manufacturers have begun chipping all equipment, regardless of the sales price range.

Replacing old with new

When there is a need to change the cartridge in the printer, you should act according to a certain algorithm. In various models, to change consumables you need to either turn on the power, or vice versa - turn off the device and unplug the cord from the outlet. This should be clarified in the manual.

First you need to carefully open the cover of the cartridge compartment, which is usually located on the front side of the device or on the top.
If your device has additional latches (for example, some Kyocera and Epson models), you need to open them. The latches most often differ in color from the main mechanism of the device.
Then you should smoothly pull the cassette towards you and remove it. It is better to set it aside on a surface covered with paper. In some models, you also need to lightly press the consumable to remove it. But under no circumstances should you touch the image transfer drum when removing cassettes (this is important for laser devices).
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Then you need to carefully remove the new cartridge from the packaging. It should not be left exposed to air for a long time to prevent the ink from drying out (this is important for inkjet machines).
Then you need to take a new consumable and remove the protective film, if any. In this case, do not touch the electrical contacts located on the cassette.
If it is a laser printer toner container, you need to shake it slightly so that the powder inside is evenly distributed.
Next, you need to insert a new cartridge into the free space. If everything is correct, the process is usually accompanied by a soft click.
Then you should check the latch, if there is one, and close the lid.
Finally, you need to turn on the power (if it was turned off) and make sure that the device does not display any errors. You can also print a test page right away.

Advice! If toner suddenly gets on your clothes, you need to remove it with a dry cloth, and then wash the stained area with cold water, as the hot liquid will help fix the dye.

The correct choice of a new “consumable”

The cartridge that comes with or “starter” in the printer. Initially filled at 30–50%. And also not all models allow it to be recharged.

To purchase something, first of all, you need to know how the future purchase looks visually. Laser and inkjet printer cartridges are fundamentally different. For the first option, this is a black plastic product 25-40 cm long and 7-20 cm wide.

For the second - small rectangular boxes, where the size of the longest side does not exceed more than 7-10 cm.
On the body of any cartridge you can find its number and brand. It can be indicated on labels or embossed on the plastic itself. When selecting a new substitute, you should clearly focus on these values. Before going to the store, be sure to mark it in your notebook or take a photo on your phone. You can also select a cartridge based on the make and model of the printer itself.
Often the cost of original dyes can reach a third or even half the price of the printer itself (typical for inkjet technology). For laser lasers, branded consumables are also not within the “people's budget”. One way out of the situation would be to purchase substitutes produced by third-party companies. The quality of such goods may differ from the original and even more so from each other, depending on the price. Before purchasing, you should ask for reviews about the chosen option.
The main characteristic of any cartridge is its resource. In other words, the ability to print a certain number of sheets per refill. This figure is indicated in its description, but with the expectation that the page will be filled with paint by 5%. In reality, this is not always the case. It may be more or less, but the average figures are 5%.

For devices that use ink, with the stated 120-140 sheets, you can actually make 90-100 black prints. For color shades, the numbers are even smaller - while the 50–60 indicated in the description, in reality it is 30–40. For a laser monochrome device, the average cartridge resource is about 1000–1500 pages.

What else do you need to know?

Non-original cartridges may have a resource either less than the original or more. This characteristic must be found out and clarified directly from the seller in the store. Some products are of very high quality, last a long time and are not inferior in quality to “original” consumables.
Increasingly, printers are equipped with chip cartridges, which automatically count printed sheets and ink or ink consumption. When purchasing a replacement part, you should make sure that it has a chip on it to ensure compatibility with your equipment.
The use of substitutes during the warranty period may result in loss of warranty. Therefore, until the warranty period has expired, it is better to use the equipment manufacturer’s products.

Choosing a cartridge wisely

Before changing the cartridge in the printer, you should decide what it is. Externally, it is a plastic box, inside of which there is a fixed amount of working ink. It is this box (or cassette) that is commonly called a cartridge. Once placed in the printer, the cartridge allows you to continue printing.

Important: each cartridge has a marking, thanks to which you can easily purchase a new one by simply writing it down or taking a photo.

Almost every major manufacturer of printing equipment has analogues of consumables that are produced by third-party companies (often this happens without a license or even obtaining the consent of the parent company). The question of the reliability and durability of such consumables remains open, but they are resorted to quite often when it is necessary to quickly change the toner.

The most important indicator for a cartridge is its resource. It is important to understand that any parameters indicated in the characteristics are averaged. Simply put, it all depends on how full the page is. Most often, cartridge manufacturers indicate the resource based on 5% coverage of one page. But 5% coverage and, say, one printed page of text are not the same thing. Further calculations are based on this figure (which may differ in quantitative terms from different manufacturers).

A regular budget ink printer or MFP:

a single-color cartridge can print approximately 90-95 pages, although the manufacturer indicates 120-130 pages;
color cartridges about 35-45 photos, the manufacturer gives the figure 60.

Printer with color cartridge

Medium laser printer or MFP:

monochrome from 900 pages. up to 1400 pages

The printer comes with a test cartridge; it is supplied to demonstrate the capabilities of the equipment and, as a rule, is less than half filled.

Non-original consumables have a shorter lifespan. You can safely reduce the capacity of a non-original consumable by 15-20 percent and get the approximate number of pages for which it is enough. But do not forget that each individual cartridge and toner is unique; there are cases when non-original spare parts last even longer, although this happens much less often.

Chip cartridges have software that can artificially limit their functionality to protect against refilling. The chip counts the number of pages printed and keeps track of the ink used. It is worth remembering this when choosing consumables (original or non-original). If the cartridge contains such a chip, but the non-original one does not have it, compatibility problems may arise.

Original HP cartridge

Using non-original consumables, you cannot claim a full warranty; some of its clauses are not valid if the entire printer package is not original. Whether the minor savings are worth waiving the warranty terms is up to the user to decide.

Some recommendations for replacement

Each model of printing device may have its own characteristics, including installation of new cartridges. First of all, look at what they write about this in the printer operating instructions. You can find it in the equipment box or on the manufacturer’s website. Improper removal and installation of consumables can easily damage the entire device. There are also some general rules.

It is not recommended to use the printer without a cartridge inside. Although in many models this will not be possible at all. More often than not, such situations happen by accident. This point is especially important when working with inkjet technology. Prepare for replacement in advance. Follow the rule - “remove the cartridge and immediately install a new one.”
Handle consumables outside the printer with care. You should not touch the following elements with your hands: microcircuit boards, print head, nozzles, nozzles, chips, photo roller. Such actions easily damage the spare part.
After installing it back, you should only remove the ink tanks for the next replacement. This will prevent the contacts from drying out, which will extend the life of the equipment as a whole.
Perform the entire replacement process wearing rubber gloves. This will prevent you from getting dirty and avoiding possible injury during installation.

Replacing a cartridge in a printer - detailed instructions

The printer today is an indispensable office equipment, so almost all users sooner or later face the issue of replacing and refilling the cartridge in the printer.
And the more actively the printing device is used, the more often it is necessary to change the cartridge in the printer. Let's look at the instructions and all the stages of replacing the cartridge yourself in more detail.

When to change the cartridge

Many users of office and home printing equipment are faced with questions about how often they need to change the cartridge in the printer, and when it needs to be done.

The main sign of the end of the ink life in a device is, first of all, poor print quality. White, unprinted stripes appear on a sheet of paper, individual letters are lost, and the tone of the printed characters itself becomes faded. These signs clearly indicate that the printer cartridge needs to be refilled or replaced.

In addition, modern printing equipment often has a special notification option about the need to change or refill the cartridge in the printer. When it becomes necessary to replace the toner again, the indicator on the device’s display lights up and a corresponding notification appears, that is, the printer itself writes that the cartridge needs to be replaced.

Usually, after the replacement indicator is triggered, you can still print on the printer for some time, which eliminates the possibility of unexpected stoppage of the equipment due to lack of ink. Having seen the alert, the user can promptly replace the cartridge and prevent complete toner consumption.

When the resource is initially exhausted, it is possible to simply replace the toner by refilling it. However, after several refills, the resource of the consumable runs out, and then you will definitely need to install a new cartridge.

In addition, mandatory cartridge replacement is necessary when it is not possible to change the chip. Many modern printing devices have a special chip that reads the remaining resource of the consumable. And when this parameter reaches the minimum value, the cartridge chip blocks printing until a new product is installed.

How to prepare for replacement

There are a variety of laser and inkjet printer models on sale today that have certain features for replacing toner for printing. Therefore, it is advisable, when preparing to change the cartridge, to first study the features of your equipment and take into account the recommendations of its manufacturer. In addition, it is necessary to take into account that cartridges have different types and associated installation nuances.

Cartridge: types and features of replacement

There are two main types: cartridges with a chip and without a chip. At the same time, it is unacceptable to replace one type of product with another. Otherwise, if you choose the wrong option, compatibility problems may arise. Modifications with a chip are installed on more modern printer models, and cartridges without a chip are usually used on the most budget versions of printing equipment or on outdated models.

Chip products have a limited number of printed sheets. As this limit is used, the device stops printing even when there is still enough toner left to print. And such printers, for example, popular Xerox or Samsung models equipped with a chip, will completely block the operation of the device when the limit value is reached. But the operation of Canon and HP brand printers does not depend on the chip.

Experts advise following general recommendations when preparing to replace an old cartridge:

Take into account the product labeling, which helps you select the correct ink capacity for the printer you are using. You can write down or photograph the name of the printer and the type of consumables, and then, based on these parameters, select the required product in a store or online. Using the markings, you can also clarify whether it is possible to install a new non-original cartridge or whether you need to buy only the original product.
Do not use a printer or MFP without a cartridge, which is especially important for inkjet devices. It is advisable to replace a used cartridge immediately, without allowing the printing element to dry out.
Take precautions before replacing consumables: remove jewelry from your hands and, if possible, wear gloves that will prevent you from getting dirty with the dye.

We take out the old cartridge

To remove the used toner bottle, in most cases you must first connect the printer to a network. Although there are also models of printing devices where you can change consumables when the power is turned off. Next, to remove the cartridge from the MFP or printing device, follow the following instructions:

Lift or pull out (depending on the design of the specific model) the cover of the device. Different printer models have different opening mechanisms. This picture shows replacing inkjet printer cartridges. And in the figure below you can see how the toner in a laser printer changes.
Carefully remove the cartridge itself, taking into account that each model of equipment may have its own design features. So, you may first need to open the stop mechanism that holds the printed element in place, or press the latch inward to release it. Depending on the modification of the printing device, there are other ways to obtain consumables. For example, sometimes you need to hold down the reset button or pull the product up at an angle from the attachment point. Some models have a special handle that makes it easy to remove the cartridge from the device.
If a cartridge gets stuck during manipulation, there is no need to use force or try to pull it out using various tools or devices. In the situation under consideration, when it is not possible to calmly get the product, it is better to contact a specialized service center, which will make the necessary change of consumables without damaging the equipment

Installing a new one

To complete replacing the cartridge in the printer with a new one, you need to take it out of the box and, without removing it from the plastic packaging, shake it a little. The fact is that the coloring matter may be stored, and its uneven distribution inside the container may subsequently negatively affect the quality of the print.

After shaking the case, you need to unpack the product, carefully insert the consumable into the printer and lock it in place. It should be taken into account that the product must also be inserted without sudden movements, taking into account the design of a particular model.

If you are inserting an original inkjet printer cartridge, you must first remove the protective tape from its body. This is a brightly colored ribbon located on the print head.

If the printing device has a stop mechanism, then you need to make sure that the housing with the ink element is tightly inserted. This is usually indicated by a characteristic click of the mechanism when it is pressed.

Checking the cartridge after replacement

The final stage of replacement is checking the cartridge. In many modern models of printing devices, after closing the lid, the printer itself automatically detects that the consumable has been replaced and offers to print a test page. If the printer does not have this option, you must print the sheet in the usual way.

If the print test shows that the printed page meets all the required parameters, then replacing the ink bottle was successful. If you find spaces or stripes on the test page, then something went wrong. To fix the problem, you need to do a deep cleaning. Also, in some cases, the printheads may need to be aligned. These manipulations with equipment can be carried out using the device’s control panel and the manufacturer’s instructions.

Once you have checked that everything is in order and the consumable replacement was successful, you can close the printer cover.

Thus, by following all the above instructions, you can figure out how to change the cartridge in the printer yourself.

The figure once again shows a step-by-step scheme for replacing the cartridge.

If replacing consumables still causes you any difficulties or you do not want to waste your time studying the instructions, contact a specialist.

How to replace an inkjet cartridge

Gaining access to the cartridge

The ink cans in an inkjet printer are located in a special compartment inside the device. This thing is called a “carriage”. To remove the cartridges, you first need to force it into the right place for this. Below are universal instructions for action.

Plug in the equipment and start it with the button on the case.
Remove all paper from the tray and close it.
Open the back cover. Now you should wait a while until the carriage is in the right place for replacement.
Leave the lid open.

If this option of getting paints does not end successfully, then you should clarify the list of replacement steps in the instructions for your model.

Also, as an option, but not recommended, you can unplug the power cord during testing (passes when turned on), when the carriage is not locked in the resting place. Use the method only if others do not help.

Removing old

Since the inkwell is located directly inside near other parts of the device, there is a high risk of damaging them or being covered with paint. Try to work carefully, and if ink gets on, wipe it off with a clean white cloth. To extract correctly, do this:

Lightly press the surface of the cartridge with your finger until you hear a click.
Pull slowly towards you to remove.

Different manufacturers and even printer models may have different types of fastenings, and therefore the removal and installation of the cartridge may differ. But the course of action and the logic of their implementation remain unchanged. And also, it is not always necessary to turn on the device during replacement or to press buttons on the case. The manufacturer often provides detailed information in the instructions for the equipment.

How to remove a cartridge from a printer All methods with detailed descriptions.

Removing the used cartridge

So, the printer writes that it has run out of ink - obviously the cartridge needs to be replaced. Of course, it is not recommended to open the device without basic dexterity and a superficial knowledge of the design of printing equipment. If you don’t have time to thoroughly study the printer, we suggest using the basic algorithm of actions.

To begin with, it is best to remove and put aside all jewelry (rings, bracelets) to avoid injury.
Unplug the device from the outlet.
Next, remove the printer cover. This is done quickly and easily; each device has a special recess or tongue by which this cover can be hooked. If you have a laser printer, you should do this carefully, because... The fuser may remain hot. The cartridge, as a rule, rests on several (usually 2-4) clamp-clamps, which can be easily snapped off or folded down.
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After the latches are folded back, you must carefully pull the plastic housing towards you to remove it. If the cartridge does not move, try changing the direction a little, as if loosening it, but only slightly, not much. If forward movements do not lead to a positive result, and the cartridge is tightly stuck, it would be better to contact a service center, because there is a risk of damaging the device if you continue to try to remove the toner on your own.
When the cartridge is removed, carefully place it on the paper; there may be remains of undried ink (paint) on the surface. If you get dirty, it is better to wipe your hands so as not to stain your clothes and surrounding objects.

Important: inkjet printers should not be left without a cartridge for a long time, because... The printing element may dry out, and this can result in the device being damaged . Therefore, the best option would be “hot replacement”, when an empty cartridge is sent for refilling, and a full one is immediately installed in its place.

The scheme may differ slightly for different manufacturers. For example, in inkjet printers of some brands you need to fold back the top cover of the scanner, but in laser printers you don’t need to do this, just fold back the tray and take out the empty cartridge from there. This operation looks somewhat more complicated in a dot matrix printer, but only at first glance. Removing the tape on the drum is not much more difficult than removing the cartridge (toner), however, this is worth doing only if you are confident in your abilities.

Once you have performed such an operation yourself, you will understand the principle itself. Subsequently, you will most likely be able to perform this procedure on almost any model of printing equipment, because there are no fundamental differences here.

How to install a new one

Don't mix up black and colored dyes. Such an error can damage the entire printer.

Remove the product from the box.
Unpack it and remove the protective films from its surface.
Do not insert the ink tank perpendicularly, but slightly tilt the edge down.
A click will indicate correct installation. Check whether the cartridge is firmly and securely in the holder.

Video

Installing a new one

If you are inserting an original inkjet printer cartridge, you must first remove the protective tape from its body. This is a brightly colored ribbon located on the print head.

How to install in laser

As you can safely and accurately assume, you need to insert a cartridge into a laser printer. Most likely, you don’t have such skills and need help. Therefore, follow these instructions:

Remove all jewelry from your hands. These can be rings or bracelets. Such actions will avoid injury and foreign objects falling into the device. Wear rubber gloves.
Unplug the printer power cord from the electrical outlet.
Now open the lid to get inside the device. It can be located in front vertically or horizontally. It should be folded back using a special recess or lever in one of the corners. Most likely it will be the top right one.
Now you see the printer cartridge. In some models it can be fixed with clamps. Check if you have them. Gently pull the consumable towards you by the handle (located in the center and closest to you). The move should be smooth, you should not pull or pull out with passion. Such actions can only do harm.
If everything was completed without any problems, then place the cartridge on the table or on the floor, but before that, cover the surface with paper or newspapers so that excess dyes do not stain anything.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated in the process. The main thing is to correctly and clearly follow each step of the instructions.

Inserting it back is also not difficult:

The equipment must be de-energized.
Check that the toner cartridge is clean. If we are talking about a refilled consumable. The new ones are characterized by the presence of protection on the chip - a plastic attachment, a sheet of paper on the photodrum, and a tape in the toner tube that needs to be pulled out.
Shake the hopper slightly to evenly distribute the toner inside.
Place the product at the beginning of the tract and slowly begin to immerse it inside.
Do not use force, and if it refuses to return to its place, pull it back and try again.
Now close the lid.
Plug the cable into a power outlet.
Start the printer and try printing.

For many printer models, after changing consumables, you also need to reset the ink counters or drum life. Different devices carry out the procedure differently. There is no universal recipe for such cases. Some may continue to work without problems even with a constant notification to change the toner when it has already been done.

Important!
When the printer refuses to print after refilling, it is better to contact technical service specialists.
Do not disassemble the cartridge yourself - this cannot be done at home.

Reinstalling the cartridge

Installing the cartridge should be done in reverse order.

Do not connect the device to the network until the cartridge is installed.
Make sure the new cartridge is clean.
Carefully insert it into the empty compartment without forcing it in. If the box itself is stuck and won’t go through, you shouldn’t try to push it in, it’s better to pull it out completely and try again.
Snap all fasteners and check the fastenings.
Close the lid.
Plug the device into a power outlet.
After connecting the device to the network, you should wait until the printer recognizes the new consumable and the “replace toner” message does not disappear from the display.

Problems may arise with the latter if non-original consumables are used. In such cases, it is recommended to reset the settings of the device itself and enter combinations (each model has its own), but even this may not help. However, this inscription itself most often does not in any way affect the operation of the device itself, which continues to print properly even with the inscription “replace toner”.

If the printer refuses to print even with a refilled cartridge installed, then it would be best to contact a service center.

Do not try to fix a complex technical problem yourself; this may cause serious damage and you may be injured by being scratched by sharp edges.

Replacing toner is quick and there is nothing complicated about it, but emergency situations can always arise. Experts recommend not changing consumables yourself; in most cases, visiting a specialist saves a lot of time and, ultimately, money. In some cases, it is more convenient to pay for a service than to decide what to do with a bunch of documents queued for printing in a printer that is paralyzed due to the inept actions of an employee.

Functionality check

Print a test page

After replacing the cartridge, immediately before printing important documents or color photographs, you should check the quality of its operation. Printing a test page of the device will help with this. Such a sheet can show possible defects, problems or malfunctions in the display of color tones. You can also find out from it information about the exact model of your device for ordering the same paints, and the driver version for reinstallation if necessary.

To print a test sheet, the printer must be connected to a computer or laptop running the Windows operating system. Unfortunately, not all models allow you to perform this procedure using buttons on the case.

Through “Start” you need to go to the “Toolbar”, and then open the “Devices and Printers” section. Its name may be different if you are using a non-Windows operating system.
Now find your model from the list you see. Perhaps he will be the only one there.
Call the context menu by clicking on it first with the left key once, and then with the right one.
From the list, select “Properties”.
On the General tab at the bottom, find the Test Print button and click on it. At this moment, the printer should be turned on and there should be paper in the tray.
Wait for the sheet to come out (this may take a little longer than usual) and visually evaluate the print quality on it.

When assessing quality, pay attention to the following points:

The format and visual presentation of information on the “probe” may differ for different models.
Different display options will be printed on it: text, graphics, gray gradient, color scheme.
All lines should be clear, nothing should be blurry or uneven; in the spectrum, make sure that all shades are present and the quality of their drawing.

Printing a test sheet from different manufacturers, be it HP, Canon, Epson, Samsung or any other, is no different using a PC. But some models allow you to perform such actions through the menu on their case.

Printing a test page without a computer Instructions for models from different companies.

If your color inkjet print quality is not satisfactory, there are a number of procedures you can perform on the Maintenance tab to correct the problem. Namely: cleaning, checking nozzles, aligning the head.

If the software method does not give a positive result in restoring print quality, then it is worth washing the head or cartridge. Laser consumables require physical intervention. This could be: replacing the photocell, rubber shaft, cleaning or dispensing blade.

Step-by-step instructions on how to insert a cartridge into the device

There are two situations: change or refill the print cassettes. One way or another, you will need to remove them from the printer and then put them in place. Let's consider this for several types of printing equipment.

What is needed to refill the cartridge

In order to refill an empty cartridge, you need to prepare:

cotton swabs;
latex gloves;
cloth napkin;
refill kit: syringe, ink.

We proceed in the following steps.

Open the hinged cover and carefully remove the empty cartridge according to the printer instructions.
Find the filling hole and insert the syringe needle into it, which will respond with a light touch to the sponge located inside.
Slowly fill the cartridge with ink at intervals that allow the sponge to become saturated.
When the paint appears in the drainage hole, the syringe can be removed.

The holes are wiped with a cloth. The cartridge is placed on a flat surface (table) to settle for about 5 minutes.

How to install a filled container

You need to carefully take the full tank and place it where it was previously located. Install until it clicks. The next step is to enable the “cleaning cycle” to obtain good print quality. The equipment can then be considered ready for use. This way you can refill the cartridge yourself, saving time and money on a trip to the workshop.

What you need to know about the laser cartridge

A laser printer cartridge, also called laser toner, is a consumable component of the printer. Laser printer cartridges contain powder, a fine dry mixture of plastic particles, carbon and black or other dyes that prints the actual image onto the paper. The toner is transferred to the paper by an electrostatically charged drum unit and melted onto the paper by heated rollers during the printing process.

Low- and mid-range laser printers typically contain two consumable parts: the cartridge itself (the typical life of which is 2,000 pages) and the image drum (the typical life of which is 40,000 pages). Some cartridges include a drum assembly in the design and therefore replacing toner means replacing the drum assembly each time, although some consider this type optional and therefore not cost-effective. The cartridges are similar to the ink cartridges used in inkjet printing.