If you use a printer you will see a warning pop up on your computer that the toner cartridge has run out. You get this warning with the help of toner chips.
What is a toner cartridge?
Printer toner cartridges are designed with specific page yields. Nowadays laser printers or copiers usually use a toner chip (also called a smart chip) to monitor and count the pages used during printing. The toner chip is connected to the printer via direct contact or non-contact (RF). It is usually gold with a small PCB board and is dedicated to the storage unit for data storage, sometimes configured with the processor to respond to the request of the processor or copier. If a particular page is swallowed, it will contact your computer to alert you.
What is a toner cartridge’s function?
1. Save toner cartridge details (compatible toner model identification)
2. Calculate and record print pages, toner powder volume and print coverage rate (printer calculates it based on pixels). This information is collected by the printer, fed to the toner chip and then stored by the toner chip storage unit. To ensure that the printer can function normally, the information collected by the printer is irreversible.
3. Mark the region information. Some printer manufacturers design different chip codes for different regions which mean the toner chip is not compatible with different toner cartridges and printers. Toner cartridges can only work with the right toner chip. Click here to learn more about toner chip region information.
4. Printer and toner cartridge pass approval. The toner chip must use proper encryption and respond to printer requests in a timely manner.
Manage toner powder information according to printer requirements. The printer determines the amount of toner powder present and writes the information on the toner chip. When the printer needs information, the toner chip sends it back to the printer.
How to replace and install the toner chip?
1. Check the printer model and make sure the toner chip matches the printer model. If you are not sure which toner chip matches your printer, you can send an email to info@multilinkbd.com and ask MTECH printer toner company.
2. Turn off the printer and remove the toner cartridge.
3. Remove the used toner chip from the compatible toner cartridges and replace it with a new one.
4. Install the toner cartridge with the new toner chip on the printer and close the cover.
Provide the power supply with the printer, turn it on and the condition of the printer turns light green. The toner chip replacement is complete and the print and copy function resumes.
How to fix toner chip error?
Sometimes, you may encounter this problem. The toner cartridge still has enough print pages but the printer says the toner is empty. This is because the printer cannot detect the toner chip correctly. To avoid this problem, always turn off your printer when you maintain or replace the cartridge. Bad connections or incorrect installation of a new cartridge can also cause this type of error. This can be fixed by reinstalling the cartridge and following the manufacturer's instructions, including the power off.
We hope this helps. If you have any questions about toner chips, email us at info@multilinkbd.com.