Is your Brother printer displaying a “Replace Drum” message? This indicates it’s time to replace the drum unit to ensure optimal print quality. The Drum and Ready LEDs will typically be illuminated on your control panel when this message appears, signaling that it’s time for this essential maintenance.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of how to replace the drum on your Brother printer efficiently and safely. It’s crucial to understand that Brother printers use separate consumables: the toner cartridge and the drum unit. This guide focuses specifically on replacing the drum unit. If you’re unsure about the difference between these components, you can refer to Brother’s resources explaining “What is the difference between the toner cartridge and the drum unit?” for clarification.
Before you begin, please take note of these important safety and handling precautions:
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Avoid Harmful Substances: Never use cleaning materials containing ammonia, alcohol, sprays of any kind, or flammable substances on or inside your printer. These can damage the machine.
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Toner Safety: Be careful not to inhale toner particles.
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Drum Unit Storage: Do not unpack your new drum unit until you are ready to install it. Exposure to light, whether sunlight or room light, can damage the drum unit before use.
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Printer Maintenance: Replacing the drum unit is an excellent opportunity to clean your Brother printer. Regular cleaning helps maintain print quality and prolong the life of your machine. Consult your User’s Guide or the Maintenance section FAQs for detailed cleaning instructions specific to your Brother printer model.
Now, let’s proceed with the step-by-step drum replacement process:
Step 1: Cool Down Your Printer
Ensure your Brother printer is powered on. Allow the machine to cool down for at least 10 minutes before you start the replacement process. Internal parts can become very hot after printing, and this cool-down period is essential for your safety.
Step 2: Open the Front Cover
Locate and open the front cover of your Brother printer. This will give you access to the drum unit and toner cartridge assembly.
Important: To maintain optimal print quality, avoid touching the shaded areas illustrated in the image below when handling the components.
Step 3: Remove the Drum Unit and Toner Cartridge Assembly
Carefully remove the drum unit and toner cartridge assembly from the printer.
Handling Precautions:
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Handle the drum unit with care as it may contain residual toner.
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Handle the toner cartridge carefully to prevent spills. If toner gets on your skin or clothing, immediately wipe it off and wash with cold water.
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Place the assembly on a clean, flat surface, preferably covered with disposable paper to catch any spilled toner.
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To prevent static electricity damage to your printer, do not touch the electrodes indicated in the illustration.
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To prevent print quality issues, again, avoid touching the shaded parts as shown.
Step 4: Separate the Toner Cartridge from the Old Drum Unit
Push down the green lock lever on the drum unit. This will release the toner cartridge, allowing you to remove it from the old drum unit.
Step 5: Unpack the New Drum Unit
Carefully unpack your new Brother printer drum unit from its packaging. Remember to only unpack it right before installation to avoid light exposure.
Step 6: Install the Toner Cartridge into the New Drum Unit
Firmly insert the toner cartridge into the new drum unit. Push it in until you hear it click into place and the green lock lever lifts automatically. This ensures the toner cartridge is correctly seated.
Step 7: Reinstall the Drum Unit and Toner Cartridge Assembly
Place the newly assembled drum unit and toner cartridge back into the Brother printer. Do not close the front cover at this stage.
Step 8: Reset the Drum Counter
To finalize the Replace Drum Brother Printer process and clear the error message, you need to reset the drum counter. Press and hold the Go button on your printer for approximately 4 seconds. Continue holding until all the LEDs on the control panel illuminate. Once all four LEDs are lit, release the Go button.
Important: Only reset the drum counter when you are actually replacing the drum unit. Do not perform this reset if you are only replacing the toner cartridge.
Step 9: Close the Front Cover
Close the front cover of your Brother printer completely.
Step 10: Verify the Drum LED
Check the printer’s control panel. The Drum LED should now be off, indicating that the drum replacement process and reset were successful, and your printer is ready for use.
By following these steps, you can confidently replace the drum on your Brother printer and get back to printing with optimal quality. Regular maintenance, including timely drum unit replacement, is essential for the longevity and performance of your Brother printer.
