From a professional environment to an academic one, printers have become a basic need when it comes to making hard copies of your documents. Although the process of printing the documents might sound easy, there is a possibility that you may run into problems ranging from software issues to physical ones, which could compromise the print quality of your documents. Some common issues are misprints, blurry, or faded documents. The most popular one is a problem with the toner cartridge. While there is a wide variety of printers to choose from, one of the best available options is HP printers that support HP printer cartridges, which are not only reliable when obtaining a quality print but are quite easy to replace as well.
Replacing an HP toner cartridge may sound like a complex process, but it can be pretty straightforward once you familiarize yourself with it.
When to Replace the Toner Cartridge?
Before you begin the replacement process, you should first understand how to determine whether or not the toner cartridge needs to be changed, and there are several methods that can assist you in doing so.
Analyzing the Print Quality
The first assessment you can make is gauging the print’s quality. In most cases, when a toner cartridge is not working properly, the print is not of optimum quality and sometimes can contain areas that are blurry, faded, or have missing sections. Although you may decide to use the same toner cartridge for some time, it might improve results. In the longer run, the print quality will eventually decrease, and this is where you need to replace the toner cartridge to obtain quality printouts.
Replacing the Toner Cartridge
Below appended is the step-by-step procedure to help you understand how you can replace your HP toner cartridge.
Removing the Old Toner Cartridge
- So, the first step involves opening the toner cartridge so that you can access the door.
- After that, bend the tab located on the left side of the toner cartridge to loosen it.
- Furthermore, the previous toner cartridge must be removed. You must be cautious in order to avoid damaging the printer.
- While doing so, you should hold each end of the toner cartridge and should avoid touching the roller surface or the cartridge.
Inserting New Toner Cartridge into the Printer
- Once you are done removing the old toner cartridge, you can proceed with inserting a new toner cartridge into the printer.
- Please keep in mind that you can put the old toner cartridge in a bag or a box which can later be returned for recycling.
- Moving forward, you need to distribute the toner evenly and for that gently rock the toner cartridge..
- The tape must be removed by pulling the tab in the following step. Just as in the case of the toner, the tape and the tab could be placed in a box and returned for recycling purposes.
- Once done, insert the new toner cartridge and close the toner cartridge access door while avoiding the toner getting on your clothes.
Replacing a Toner Cartridge on a LaserJet Printers
Given that there is a wide range of printers available in the market, it is possible that you might be using an HP LaserJet Printer. Well, there is nothing to worry about, as the process for replacing the toner cartridge is pretty much similar to that of an inkjet, just with a few additional steps.
When To Replace?
First thing first, when it comes to assessing when your printer needs its toner replaced, HP LaserJet Printers have the option to notify the user through a blinking light on its control panel. In addition to this, a message is displayed notifying the user that the toner needs to be replaced.
Removing the Old Toner Cartridge
- So, the first step for replacing a toner cartridge on a LaserJet printer starts with opening the scanner assembly and the top cover in order to remove the older toner cartridge.
- The next step requires lifting the scanner assembly, opening the cover, and removing the toner cartridge.
- Moving forward, take out the new toner cartridge from the packaging, and as in the case of an inkjet printer, you can put the old one in a bag, which can later be returned for recycling purposes.
- Next, you need to locate and remove an orange clip on the toner cartridge by pulling it upward.
- To ensure that the toner is distributed evenly, gently rock the toner cartridge.
- Now just as in the case of inkjet, there is a need to loosen the breaks of the tab located at the left side of the toner by pulling it until the sealing tape gets removed from the toner cartridge.
Inserting the Toner Cartridge
- Once previous processes have been completed, it is time for you to align the new toner cartridge along with the printer’s tracks.
- Next, gently push the toner cartridge, ensuring that it has been firmly inserted.
- Finally, lower the scanner assembly and close the top cover.
Things to Keep in Mind
First, one of the most important things to consider here is that HP manufactures its printers as well as toner cartridges with a unique protection system to ensure optimum quality. That is, if you decide to change your printer and wish to install the same toner cartridge that you have been previously using, the protection system will lock you out, and you will not be able to use it.
HP discourages the use of remanufactured toner cartridges to ensure the premium quality. Therefore, if you are looking forward to purchasing a new printer, please bear in mind that the old toner cartridge will be of no use.
