Replacing the cartridge in the printer

All printer cartridges, regardless of the type of peripherals themselves, have a certain ink supply. Powder (toner) or ink will inevitably run out over time, and the user is faced with the need to restore the equipment to work. One way to solve the problem is to refuel. However, you should also consider the option of replacing the cartridge in a printer or MFP.

Sooner or later, each owner has to change cartridges in a printer and other devices. At first glance, such a procedure may seem rather complicated to an inexperienced user. However, in practice, it usually does not require significant time expenditures. Of course, there are a number of important nuances that should be taken into account by those who decide for the first time to independently replace the cartridge in an inkjet or laser device.

Ink consumption is directly proportional to the frequency of use of the printer and multifunctional device. At the same time, the first signs that cartridges are to be replaced, as a rule, appear until the moment when the equipment refuses to function. Since the developers are reinsured, their creations suggest changing the ink or toner tanks in advance, despite the presence of a certain amount of ink. This approach is due to the elimination of the risk of sudden equipment failure.

Taking into account all the nuances of the operation of printing devices, it is worthwhile to change cartridges in a timely manner, including in a color laser printer, when a number of signs appear.

1. Print tone becomes less saturated and faded.
2. Not the entire page prints clearly... Some characters may also be "lost" and empty corners may appear.
3. Symbols or messages appear on the display of the device itselfsignaling the need to change cartridges or replenish the ink supply. Most often, after this, the printer will continue to work, but at any time it may refuse to print.
4. The need to change consumables is also indicated by the appearance of light and sometimes white stripes on the pages. This feature is well known to the vast majority of users.

The former are more technologically advanced, but more expensive. Their main advantages include the ability to monitor ink or toner levels and alert the user to replace them. As a rule, office equipment belonging to the budget price segment is equipped with unprinted cartridges. It should be noted that experienced users promptly and correctly respond to changes in print quality.

Each specific model of modern office equipment has its own design features. At the same time, the algorithm for replacing cartridges in printers and MFPs that print poorly looks standard. However, it is worth considering certain nuances at each of the provided stages.

There are a number of differences in the process of replacing cartridges in inkjet and laser models of printers and multifunctional devices. And they consist, first of all, in the design and functional features of these two types of technology.For example, inkjet printers use pigment inks supplied through nozzles. Laser cartridges are filled with laser-fused toner powder. But regardless of the design features of equipment, including carriages, the replacement of cartridges is carried out in three main stages. When performing all the operations provided for by the instructions, you have to remove the non-working element, prepare a new or refilled one and install it in the printer.

As soon as the office equipment informed the user that the supply of ink or toner has dried up, it is necessary to restore its full functionality as quickly as possible. Naturally, this will require appropriate theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Inexperienced users are strongly advised to study the instructions during the preparatory phase.

At the stage of removing a used cartridge, certain actions must be taken.

1. It is strongly recommended that you remove all jewelry from your hands from the beginning. (bracelets and rings), which minimizes the risk of injury.
2. Disconnect the equipment from the mains.
3. Remove the cover of the device. This operation will not cause any difficulties, since this structural element can be picked up by a special tongue or groove. It is important to remember that the fuser can be hot on a laser printer and therefore remove the cover with extreme care. Most often, cartridges hold 2-4 clips in the form of clips, which will need to be folded back or snapped off.
4. After releasing the cartridge from the latches, pull it out by gently pulling on the plastic case. If it does not move from the seat, then it can be swayed a little from side to side.
5. As soon as it was possible to remove the paint reservoir, it must be placed on paper or oilcloth, as it may contain ink or toner. In this situation, it should be borne in mind that the paint is poorly washed.

This scheme for different models of printing devices may have some differences. For example, in situations with inkjet MFPs, you will first need to flip open the scanner lid. When replacing the described elements of the design of laser devices, this item will be absent, since it will be enough just to move the tray and take out an empty cartridge. Some difficulties may arise when dismantling the ribbon on dot matrix printers.

After all the above manipulations are completed, attention should be paid to the new consumable.

Experienced users recommend buying exclusively original cartridges or cartridges compatible with specific models of office equipment. Today the market offers a fairly wide range of relevant products. In such a situation, problems with the choice of cartridges, as a rule, do not arise. The new paint reservoir must be unpacked prior to installation. When removing the shockproof packaging, it is important to avoid contact with the nozzles or drum unit. It is highly undesirable to touch these surfaces.

By the way, even new devices are not immune to ink release and toner spills. The next step is to remove the safety tape that protects the contacts and nozzles. In situations with laser printers and MFPs, it is recommended to rotate the new cartridge several times before installing the new cartridge, holding it in a horizontal position. This is to distribute the toner evenly in the container.

To install the cartridge, you will need to perform all the above steps in the reverse order. You will need:

• make sure that the equipment is disconnected from the network;
• check the cleanliness of the installed tank;
• gently insert it into the compartment without making any efforts - if problems arise, it is better to try again;
• snap the latches, making sure that the fasteners are secure;
• replace the cover or close the tray;
• connect the printer to the mains and activate it;
• wait until the technician "sees" the new consumable and recognizes it, while the message about the need to replace the toner or the lack of ink should disappear.

One of the easiest ways out is to reset your printer or MFP. By the way, in the overwhelming majority of cases, the error message in question does not affect the functioning of the equipment in any way.

The most relevant features of servicing office equipment are due to differences in designs and principles of functioning of different models. That is why all manipulations related to the removal of old and installation of new consumables should be performed in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. However, users often find themselves in situations where the printer or MFP, after replacing the ink tanks, does not work at all or does not print well.

So, if an inkjet printer prints poorly or refuses to print at all after replacing the cartridge with a new one, then the reason may be incorrect installation. Besides, there may be problems with the flow of ink to the print head.

When servicing laser peripherals it is worth paying attention to contacts. Malfunctioning laser shutters can also be a source of problems. However, first of all, it should be taken into account that in the process of replacing a cartridge or toner, it is necessary to exclude contacts with working surfaces. In some cases, poor printing and failure to work are due to the fact that when installing the consumable, the shipping belts were not removed.

In addition to the already described problematic points that can be encountered when servicing inkjet and laser models of office equipment, it is worth paying attention to problems of a general nature.

• Difficulty perceiving new cartridges and print quality often occur due to the wrong choice of a peripheral device when setting up a personal computer or laptop.
• The source of problems can be failures that are directly related to the operating system... The most common symptom of a problem is the so-called freeze printing.
• Among other things, specialized software becomes the source of all troubles., that is, the drivers for the printing device. To fix the problem, you first need to open the appropriate tab in the "Device Manager" and make sure there are no exclamation marks. The presence of such symbols indicates the need to update or reinstall the software.

To cope with the listed problems is within the power of ordinary users with even minimal experience. But if you had to face more serious problems, then the most rational way out would be to contact the service center for help from professionals.

As already noted, each "representative" of the lineup of inkjet and laser printers and MFPs of different brands has its own characteristics. This applies not only to the device of technology, but also to the algorithms for replacing consumables. Before installing new cartridges you must carefully study the relevant information.

There are important recommendations to consider when replacing cartridges.

• Replace consumables as soon as ink or toner runs out. This is most important for inkjet printers, as there is a high likelihood of drying ink residues in the printheads. This is a so-called hot swap, in which a new one is put in place of an empty cartridge as soon as it is removed from the carriage.

• In the process of all manipulations, it is required avoid touching moving parts of cartridges, contacts, drum units and nozzles.

• After installation, a new consumable it is not recommended to remove it unnecessarily.

• It is important to remember that there are chip and non-chip models of ink and toner containers. However, they are not interchangeable. Cartridges equipped with a chip that controls ink volume are more expensive. As soon as the minimum mark is reached, the device will notify the user automatically. So, chips installed in printers and MFPs of Xerox and Samsung brands block the operation of all printing equipment in such situations. And representatives of the Canon and HP lineups continue to function for some time.

• Particular attention should be paid to on the right choice of consumables... The best option would be to buy cartridges with the same marking.

In addition to all of the above, it is important to always remember the safety rules. It should be noted once again that hand jewelry can cause injury. An equally important point is the chemical properties of the filling materials (ink and toners). It is recommended to use gloves to protect exposed parts of the body from paint ingress.

The following video demonstrates the process of replacing a cartridge in a printer.