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Fix Toner Low Warning – Printer Troubleshooting Guide | TroubleshootMyPrinter




How to Fix: Toner Low Warning

The printer displays a ‘Toner Low’ or ‘Replace Toner’ warning message, which may or may not halt printing depending on the printer model and settings. In many cases, printers report low toner earlier than necessary, and the cartridge may still have significant capacity remaining. This guide walks you through the most common causes and step-by-step solutions to fix toner low warning on any printer, regardless of brand or model.

Common Causes

This problem is most often caused by one or more of the following:

  • Toner cartridge is genuinely running low and approaching the end of its rated life
  • Printer’s toner level sensor is inaccurate, especially with refilled or third-party cartridges
  • Toner cartridge chip has reached its programmed page count regardless of actual toner remaining
  • Environmental conditions (humidity, temperature) affecting the toner level sensor readings
  • Recently installed cartridge was not properly seated or its chip was not detected

Step-by-Step Solution

Follow these steps to diagnose and fix the issue. Test your printer after each step.

  1. Step 1: Remove the toner cartridge and gently rock it side to side 5-6 times to redistribute remaining toner
  2. Step 2: Reinstall the cartridge firmly, ensuring it clicks into place and the chip makes proper contact
  3. Step 3: If the printer stops printing, check settings for an option to continue printing when toner is low
  4. Step 4: On some models, you can reset the toner counter through the printer’s service menu
  5. Step 5: Monitor actual print quality — if prints are still clear, the cartridge likely has toner remaining
  6. Step 6: Have a replacement cartridge ready but continue printing until quality actually degrades
  7. Step 7: When replacement is needed, use a genuine OEM cartridge or a reputable third-party alternative

Brand-Specific Troubleshooting

Some printer brands require slightly different troubleshooting approaches. See the brand-specific guidance below.

Hp Printers

HP printers with ‘HP Smart’ enabled may block third-party or refilled cartridges entirely. The ‘Override’ option can sometimes be found in the printer’s supply settings. HP Enterprise printers allow setting the ‘Very Low’ behavior to ‘Continue’ instead of ‘Stop’ in the supply management menu.

For more Hp-specific troubleshooting, visit our Hp Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Brother Printers

Brother printers often display ‘Replace Toner’ well before the cartridge is truly empty. You can reset the toner counter on many Brother models by opening the front cover, pressing and holding the OK button, then navigating to the reset option. The toner can typically print hundreds more pages after the initial warning.

For more Brother-specific troubleshooting, visit our Brother Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Lexmark Printers

Lexmark printers may stop printing when the cartridge’s chip reports it as empty. Lexmark offers ‘Return Program’ and ‘Regular’ cartridges — Regular cartridges can be refilled, while Return Program cartridges are designed for single use. Check cartridge type before attempting a refill.

For more Lexmark-specific troubleshooting, visit our Lexmark Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Xerox Printers

Xerox printers display a percentage-based toner level. You can configure the ‘Low Toner Alert’ threshold in the printer’s admin menu. Some Xerox models allow overriding the low toner stop through the CentreWare web interface.

For more Xerox-specific troubleshooting, visit our Xerox Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Related Problems

Users experiencing toner low warning often encounter these related issues:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep printing when my printer says toner is low?

In most cases, yes. The ‘Toner Low’ warning appears as a precaution before the toner is fully depleted. You may be able to print hundreds or even a thousand more pages depending on your model. If prints start looking faded, shake the cartridge to redistribute toner. Many printers have a setting to continue printing past the low warning.

How do I override the toner low message and keep printing?

This varies by manufacturer. On HP Enterprise printers, go to Settings > Supply Settings > Black Cartridge/Color Cartridge > Very Low Setting > Continue. On Brother printers, there is often a toner counter reset option accessible through the control panel. Check your specific model’s manual for the exact steps.

Why does my printer say toner is low right after installing a new cartridge?

This usually means the toner cartridge chip was not properly detected, the cartridge is not seated correctly, or the cartridge is a third-party/refilled cartridge whose chip was not properly programmed. Remove the cartridge, clean the chip contacts with a dry cloth, and reseat it. For third-party cartridges, ensure they are compatible with your specific model.

Need brand-specific help?

This guide covers the general fix. For model-specific instructions, find your printer brand below and navigate to your exact model for tailored troubleshooting steps.