How to confirm if your toner cartridge is defective?

 Photo by duchesssa

Ever since desktop printers came into our midst, every little sort of printing trouble seems to have confounded users to no end. A few decades ago, printing was exclusive to local print shops and this prevented end users from experiencing nagging print troubles. But with printing now crossed over to homes and offices, it seems that users never fail to encounter print irregularities in the operation of modern day laser printers. The usual suspect for print defects is of course the toner cartridge, particularly if its a third party unit.

It would be good to point out however, that cartridge defects are not confined to aftermarket products. Certainly, even OEM toner cartridges have had its share of the troubles; even when the likelihood is confined to a measly 2%. Moreover, the nature of the defect is hard to decipher because laser printers have multiple components; each one predisposed to malfunction that could instigate a print defect. This renders the issues surrounding a defective toner cartridge far-reaching and complicated. Therefore, thorough assessment of the defect is necessary because OEM replacement cartridges are expensive and an error in judgement could put money unnecessarily down the drain.

Take some respite from a few tips below that can confirm if the cause of the print problem is really the toner cartridge or a malfunctioning component.

• The basic and perhaps, most effective method of ascertaining the cartridge's condition is the conduct of a multi-printer test. To do this, pull out the suspect toner cartridge from its slot on the laser printer, reload it to another printer and run a test print. Note that suspect toner cartridge should be compatible for use on the second printer. If the ensuing printed page bears the distinct print irregularity reflected with output from the first printer, then it is without a doubt the toner cartridge is really defective.
• However, when test prints coming from the second printer do not manifest any print irregularity, then the trouble can be pinned down to the printer. Most likely, the printing equipments needs maintenance and servicing. There are other printer components that may have caused the print irregularity such as a worn out OPC Drum, a malfunctioning fuser roller or perhaps, it is a low toner supply that could be spoiling the completion of print jobs.      
• Take note that light prints with the printout does not always conjure images of a defective cartridge. Toner cartridges are outfitted with brass contacts that supply electrical potential to the developer roller. So when these contacts are coated with dust, grime or grease, the capability of the developer roller to sustain the magnetic potential of toner particles also diminishes. Less toner powder finding its way into the OPC Drum's surface will of course produce light laser prints.

Always be wary of print irregularities and closely determine if such is the result of a defective cartridge. In most instances, a print defect can be resolved by simply cleaning the brass contacts of the toner cartridge. This of course does not take in the incidence of low toner supply because certainly, the cartridge would need another load of compatible toner to sustain another print cycle.

DO NOT GIVE UP so easily on what may be perceived as a defective toner cartridge. By all means, find ways to confirm it! Otherwise you will be burning dollars down the drain.