Auto shut off when toner runs out Does anyone know if this printer will refuse to print when it detects toner is low? My sister owns a brother laser printer, and the printer will indicate toner is low and will not print anything unless the toner is replaced. I am wary of how accurate the indicator is and thus would rather be able to print even if the toner is low and streaking until I decide to go buy a new toner cartridge.Thanks! Auto shut off when toner runs out Does anyone know if this printer will refuse to print when it detects toner is low? My sister owns a brother laser printer, and the printer will indicate toner is... » Read More Auto shut off when toner runs out Does anyone know if this printer will refuse to print when it detects toner is low? My sister owns a brother laser printer, and the printer will indicate toner is low and will not print anything unless the toner is replaced. I am wary of how accurate the indicator is and thus would rather be able to print even if the toner is low and streaking until I decide to go buy a new toner cartridge.Thanks! « Show Less
1383257
I've read you can put tape over the toner sensor to not give the false "toner low" settings.
1383258
I believe the tape had to be black electric tape, rather than Scotch tape or masking tape, according to the expert reviewers (which I am not!)
905920
after a while they do run out of toner. I will take the cartridge out and shake it to get a few more copies from it.
1160730
Yes, and no. When it gets low, you get multiple warnings on the printers color touch panel and your computers printing software. You are given the option to ignore and it will continue to print - however once any cartridge is really out, it will not print. The one exception is B&W. If a color cartridge is out, you can force print in B&W only - but this works only for so long - once two carts are very low or out - you will no longer be able to print. We always keep 1 spare of every cartridge, just in case - but let it run as low as possible, warnings and all. This really is a good office printer.
101179
Agree with R.L. some printers might decide not to print, if they think they are out of ink. Or some might go into a routine to try to get better printing in a low toner situation. This would use toner much faster and possibly make a messier copy.
1321623
John, unfortunately I have no answers for you. The last print job I attempted to use the Brother for was URGENT and imperative that I have it that evening. After much frustration and approximately 2 dozen sheets of wasted paper I finally gave up, emailed the document to my neighbor and got her to print it. I suggest you buy another printer, HP, Epson or Cannon and have it on hand. I have had all three and got good service from them. The best was the HP. The Brother Printer did not even last long enough to use the print cartridges I purchased when I bought the printer! The Printer went into the trash, ending a constant source of frustration I would not wish on my worst enemy. I have these new ink cartridges setting here to remind me to NEVER EVER consider another Brother Product.
1226325
Hello, I don't think so. Printer will give you error when the toner is out. Thanks,
1241357
There really aren't that many things to check on these machines. Make sure "the wire" is clean; don't use "compatible" non-Brother toner cartridges; check the "drum life" indicator under "machine info" on the soft key menu(s). The drum and toner cartridges work together. If you've exceeded the drum's rated lifespan, it won't matter how new/full your toner cartridge is. It's time to replace the drum.
799215
I know what the original question is about - some printers do not allow you to print if any of the ink cartridge is out of ink. I have the same question - hopefully someone knows the answer for this specific printer.
205210
Take the toner out and re-install the old toner back and see if you still hear the loud noise. if it prints with out the loud noise, try put back the new one in and see if it works. maybe it wasn't seated properly.
756950
Not sure; but I am now getting a "red" alert on my printer. It shows "low on toner", so I will keep an eye on it and if it doesn't clear and runs out of ink, I will have to send it back. That's not a bargain if it is out of Ink so soon! So just to let you know to be aware, I may have gotten a "fluke" refill, but time will tell. I don't use that much Ink so it's way too soon to run out.
546116
No. It warns you when one of the cartridges is getting low, but when that cartridge runs out it won't print at all.
1335789
I would say no. If I go to change a toner, it knows if one is missing, and it wont print until one is put in it, and the chip on the toner tells the printer its status. on the other hand, you could simply turn off the color printing part thru its printer driver, and print just B&W, and choose color just when you want it. I am happy with mine. we have HP and Konica Minolta's at work, and this printer prints, and looks every bit as quality as the big business models do. In fact, sometimes I print from home and take it in, and no one can tell, so I don't tell.... spreadsheets, charts, graphs, digital pictures, screen shots, power point, Visio, its all A+!
2179023
I have successfully used re-manufactured (refilled) cartridges. Although there is a trick to using them. After you install one, the machine will tell you the cartridge is "low ink". After a few pages it says it's out of ink and the warning light comes on. (Do NOT Cancel your Print Job!) Press and hold the Red "Stop" button for about 5 seconds and the warning light will turn off. The display will then show "unknown ink volume" or something similar. You are now good to print until the cartridge actually runs out of ink.
942874
No it does not prevent aftermarket cartridges. There is no chip or fuse, etc to allow the printer to determine what or where the cartridge came from, there are only two mechanisms at work regarding the cartridge: 1) There's an optical sensor on the side of the printer that shines in a little transparent window on both the OEM and aftermarket cart. When the toner is low enough not to block the light then your printer issues low toner message. 2) There's a reset gear on the side that triggers cartridge depleted based on # of pages so it doesn't keep using recovered toner. All any aftermarket cart has to do with any firmware they might issue is have a minimal amount of toner higher than that optical window and have the reset gear positioned at the beginning of its travel. At the same time, if a new firmware does not list any fixes for problems you are (or aren't) encountering, there is no reason to update the firmware. However what I suspect the firmware update does is improve the logic for determining when a new (or full and reset, which it takes as the same thing) cartridge is installed, reducing occurances of needing to do the reset procedure because normally that shouldn't need to be done at all, only to remove the old cart and install the new or refurb'd one.
101180
My guess is the chip is used to store the count of how many pages the printer has printed. If you don't replace it, the printer will think the toner is running out since the count has not be reset.
489972
Leann I would ask the company. Or I would look up the help at Brother's help area. I have no idea. I just buy the cartridge and my daughter puts it into the laser printer and handles it.
1942059
I have a Brother MFC-J870DW and have had no problems. Have purchased more than once. The person at Cartridge World has suggested to me that I always disconnect my printer before installing new cartridges. In fact, he recommends disconnecting power for a minute or two every month. Don't know if this will help, but hope it does.