Brother's article on toner messages after replacement is the best guide. If the display or LED still shows Toner Low, Replace Toner or Toner Ended after installing a new toner cartridge, first verify you replaced the right consumable: the machine has separate toner cartridges and drum units, and you should have replaced only the toner. Verify you installed a brand new, unused toner cartridge: swapping cartridges from another machine or fitting a partly used one stops the machine recognizing toner consumption, which causes the error.
The checks in more detail
Verify the cartridge is installed correctly and reinstall it following the replacement instructions, and confirm both a toner cartridge and a drum unit are installed. Clean the corona wire, since a dirty one can cause the message. Update the firmware from the Downloads section, using the Firmware Update Tool if listed. If the issue continues, contact Brother customer service.
For drum messages, Brother says Replace Drum and Drum End Soon continue until you reset the drum counter after fitting a new drum: open the front cover, hold OK for two seconds and press the up arrow or 1, and only reset it when you have replaced the drum. Brother strongly recommends genuine drums and toner, and its warranty does not cover problems caused by unauthorized third-party supplies. Inkjet models use ink tanks, not toner.
Keep the packaging and the receipt for the consumable, and note the fitting date and the page count, since Brother support will ask for both when they check a supply fault. If you fitted a cartridge from another machine, expect the error, since Brother says partly used cartridges confuse the toner counter. Do not clean the toner cartridge's chip or contacts with liquids; if the contacts look dirty, use a dry lint-free cloth and reseat the cartridge.
Differential
Likely causes of “Brother printers does not recognize ink or toner”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A used or swapped toner
What separates it The toner error persists because the toner is used or was swapped from another machine
How to confirm Fit a new unused cartridge, since a used one will keep on giving the error
- 2
A cartridge not seated
What separates it The message says Replace Toner because the cartridge is not seated
How to confirm Reinstall the cartridge, and push it in until it clicks into place
- 3
No drum fitted
What separates it A toner error shows because no drum unit is fitted
How to confirm Fit both the toner and the drum unit, since the machine needs both
- 4
A dirty corona wire
What separates it The message persists because the corona wire is dirty
How to confirm Clean the corona wire, using the green tab, and check the message again
- 5
The drum counter not reset
What separates it The message says Replace Drum because the drum counter was not reset
How to confirm Reset the counter after fitting a new drum
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact message that the display shows
- Whether toner and drum are new
- The firmware version that the machine runs
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRead the message
ReversibleRead the message, and note whether it names the toner or the drum, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check what you replaced
ReversibleCheck what you replaced, remembering that the toner and the drum are separate, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Fit a new unused toner
ReversibleFit a new unused toner, and not one that has been swapped from another machine.
Reinstall the cartridge, and push it in until it clicks into place
ReversibleReinstall it, and seat it firmly, until it clicks into place, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Clean the corona wire
ReversibleClean the corona wire, using the green tab, if the message persists, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reset the drum counter
ReversibleReset the drum counter, but only after you have fitted a new drum, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Update firmware
ReversibleUpdate the firmware, and then retry with the new supplies, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Laser
- MFC-L, HL-L and DCP-L machines use toner and drum.
- INKvestment
- MFC-J tank models use ink, so these messages do not apply.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models L5915DW, L8905CDW, L3295CDW, L2460DW, L2640DW, J1010DW, J4535DW, J5855DW, QL-820NWB label printer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the message persists with a new genuine toner and clean wire, contact Brother
- !If a drum message persists after the counter reset, contact Brother
- !If a third-party supply is refused, use a genuine one
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
New toner, installation, drum and corona wire.
Resetting the drum counter.
Toner versus drum.
Firmware Update Tool and iPrint&Scan.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does Replace Toner stay after a new cartridge?+
The cartridge may be used, unseated or the wrong part.
What is the difference between toner and drum?+
They are separate consumables, so replace the drum and the toner on their own schedules.
When should I reset it?+
Reset the counter only after you have replaced the drum.
What does the corona wire do?+
Charges the drum; dirt can cause errors.
Are genuine supplies required?+
Brother recommends genuine supplies, since others can cause errors.
Does the warranty cover third-party damage?+
No, the warranty does not cover damage that is caused by third party supplies.
Do inkjets use toner?+
No, inkjets do not use toner, since they use ink cartridges or tanks.