Brother HL-1110 printer.

Hysteresis · 21 Nov 2021

I have had a Brother HL-1110 printer for a few years, it does all I want in that I get reasonable documentation prints. It is of course a Laser Mono Chrome printer, but recently the printing has started to fade quite badly, being worse at the extremities (L-R)of the printed page.
Obviously the problem could be the Toner Cartridge require replacement, but when I check the status it shows that I still have 30% cartridge full indicted.
So I could of course just buy a replacement (Probably compatible) Toner cartridge, but that would be a complete waste of money if the present cartridge is genuinely 30% full as the replacement cartridge would be no better than the one I already have installed.
Are the status indicators of the Toner Cartridge fill state accurate, or just estimated on print timing. If it is the later then maybe the Toner cartridge is actually empty although indication 30% full.
Has anyone got any suggestions that would be helpful for me.

RandomGrinch · 21 Nov 2021

Hi,
I've looked after a few brother laser printers in my workplace and also have one at home.
I have found them wonderfully reliable.

There is a list of troubleshooting steps for faded printing here:

https://support.brother.ca/app/answers/detail/a_id/83445/~/the-printed-pages-are-faint,-light,-or-faded.-how-do-i-improve-print-quality?

Personally, I have found replacing the toner cartridge, even if there is some toner left, usually dramatically improves print quality.
Possibly, it could be the drum unit, but they tend to last a while.
You could take the toner cartridge out, put it in a well sealed bag, and give it a gentle shake; if the print quality improves after this, then you know the toner could be running out!

Alec_t · 21 Nov 2021

Hysteresis said:
Are the status indicators of the Toner Cartridge fill state accurate, or just estimated on print timing

I'd be interested to know the answer to that. I too have a Brother laser mono printer, which is now showing 'Toner low'. I haven't spotted any sensor on/near the cartridge, so guess it's just counting pages with an assumed average toner content.

Hysteresis · 22 Nov 2021

Alec_t said:
I'd be interested to know the answer to that. I too have a Brother laser mono printer, which is now showing 'Toner low'. I haven't spotted any sensor on/near the cartridge, so guess it's just counting pages with an assumed average toner content.

I tend to agree with the page counter suggestion although I cant find any reference to it in the manuals.
I did note the cartridges have a rather short shelf life once the packaging is opened. Mine has certainly expired its stated shelf life by a considerable margin, so I assume my problem os the cartridge needs replacement. As there does not seem to me any sensors on the cartridge, I like you assume it to me a page counter based estimate for toner quantity.
I have now no option but to splash out on a 'Compatible Cartridge', compatible as the price of a Brother cartridge is 3 to 4 times the price of a compatible.
When I get it I will report back.

Hysteresis · 22 Nov 2021

RandomGrinch said:
Hi,
I've looked after a few brother laser printers in my workplace and also have one at home.
I have found them wonderfully reliable.

There is a list of troubleshooting steps for faded printing here:

https://support.brother.ca/app/answers/detail/a_id/83445/~/the-printed-pages-are-faint,-light,-or-faded.-how-do-i-improve-print-quality?

Personally, I have found replacing the toner cartridge, even if there is some toner left, usually dramatically improves print quality.
Possibly, it could be the drum unit, but they tend to last a while.
You could take the toner cartridge out, put it in a well sealed bag, and give it a gentle shake; if the print quality improves after this, then you know the toner could be running out!

Thanks for your reply, I can't find any appropriate information on the problem other than Brother stte the cartridges have a rather short shelf Life and mine is aot over that time. I think the toner supply is an estimated one based on Pages printed. I will get a new toner cartridge and see what happens although if the toner level is based on pages printed, not sure how a new cartridge will reset the page counter Toner level indication.

mattylad · 22 Nov 2021

Have you tried shaking it yet?
This evens out the toner, spreading it into the corners etc.
Always the first thing I do when mine are showing the cartridge is getting low.

Hysteresis · 22 Nov 2021

mattylad said:
Have you tried shaking it yet?
This evens out the toner, spreading it into the corners etc.
Always the first thing I do when mine are showing the cartridge is getting low.

Yeah , I did try that but it made no difference, so ordered a new compatible cartridge and see what that does. I post a reply when I ger it.

Londoner2 · 24 Nov 2021

'compatible cartridge'.

Above is the issue, a replacement will fix it.

Hysteresis · 24 Nov 2021

Londoner2 said:
'compatible cartridge'.

Above is the issue, a replacement will fix it.

The cartridge is on i's way, I'll post a reply on the result. Hope you are right.

Hysteresis · 16 Dec 2021

I received the Compatible Cartridge for my Brother HL-1110 printer from 'inkrite'.
Worked perfectly, my printer is back to as new.
'inkrite' cartridge B-TN1050 Delivered in 24 hours. Cartridge was around 30% of the price of a cartridge from Brother. Brilliant company and brilliant Toner Cartridge.
Hope this helps any 'DIYnot' posters.

Harry Bloomfield · 16 Dec 2021

Hysteresis said:
Thanks for your reply, I can't find any appropriate information on the problem other than Brother stte the cartridges have a rather short shelf Life and mine is aot over that time. I think the toner supply is an estimated one based on Pages printed. I will get a new toner cartridge and see what happens although if the toner level is based on pages printed, not sure how a new cartridge will reset the page counter Toner level indication.

The toner remaining is calculated not on page counted, but on estimating how much toner is put on each page, the percent page coverage. The page counter is different and gives an indication of when certain parts will likely be worn out. I have never known best before dates to matter that much, though UV getting to the drum can be an issue. <y toner cartridge is ten years old and still producing perfect print.

Alec_t · 17 Dec 2021

Things like paper jams can require removing the toner cartridge then replacing it. How does the printer distinguish between doing that and putting in a new cartridge so that it can reset the remaining toner indication?

Harry Bloomfield · 17 Dec 2021

Alec_t said:
Things like paper jams can require removing the toner cartridge then replacing it. How does the printer distinguish between doing that and putting in a new cartridge so that it can reset the remaining toner indication?

I would have to make a guess at that - if there are no actual connections, it must use an RF ID chip.

Alec_t · 17 Dec 2021

Hmm. If that were so it might take objection to a non-OEM cartridge and refuse to play ball. However, from the TS's response above it seems Brother doesn't do that, fortunately.

mattylad · 17 Dec 2021

I turned off the toner level detection on my laser printer, some of the colours were eventually not as expected but I managed to use all the toner in them.

Brother HL-1110 printer.

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