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IT4nextgen > How To > How to Refill laser Printer Toner: Step by Step Instructions

How to Refill laser Printer Toner: Step by Step Instructions

Last Updated January 6, 2022 By Subhash D 49 Comments

Every Laser printer is equipped with a toner cartridge that is instrumental in printing your documents or images. It is not necessary to buy a new toner cartridge since you can easily refill laser printer toner yourself by following DIY refill steps.
Although the toner used here is HP 12 A toner, you can refill similar toner cartridges of other laser printers by following the same steps.

Tools needed to refill laser printer toner Cartridge

Before you start refilling the toner cartridge, it is important to buy quality toner ink. Be prepared with a star-cut screwdriver, a newspaper sheet or any waste sheet, soft cloth, any sharp-edged driver, and a quality toner ink bottle.

Step by Step Instructions

Step-1.  After pulling the toner from a laser printer the first step is to open the screw of the side cover as shown below:
toner 12a side cover       opening-side-cover-screw-of-toner
Step-2.  Now take the side cover off:

toner-side-cover-view
remove-side-cover

Step-3: After you have taken outside cover, the next step is to take out the drum unit. Hold it from a white portion(gear) and pull it in the direction instructed.
pulling-toner-drum-out      toner drum change

Step-4. This is how the laser toner cartridge will look after plugging out the drum unit:

HP 12a toner without drum

Step-5. Now you need to plug out PCR roller as shown below:

tool-used-to-pluck-out-pcr
remove-toner-pcr

Step-6. Slightly push PCR rod to right-side with some sharp-edge tool and then move PCR slightly upward and take it out leftwards
Step-7. The next step is to separate the waste unit and ink unit, which are joined together with the help of pins. So you have to take out the pins which are on both sides of the cartridge.

image-pin-of-toner
push-pin from inside

Step-8. After pushing the pin from inside, it’s time to get it out from the outer side since it has plunged out after being pushed from inside as you can see in the picture below.

remove pin from laser toner 12A

Step-9. After you remove pins from both sides of the toner cartridge, you have to remove a spring as shown:

toner-pin-remove

Step-10. The next step is to set-apart two main units of the cartridge. One unit is a waste unit and the other is called an ink unit. Hold the toner as shown in the picture and pull both units apart.

open-laser-toner
ink-unit-waste-unit-of-toner

Step-11. View of Waste Ink Unit and closer view of Spring which is to be removed to open waste ink unit.

closer-view-spring-ink-unit

Step-12. Remove spring and then remove the plastic cover as shown:

toner spring remove
12A-laser-toner-waste-ink
internal view laser toner


Step-13. Now remove the screws of the waste unit to get apart the wiper-blade and then remove the waste-Ink which was collected in this unit.

open-waste-unit-laser-toner
used ink laser toner

Step-14. Now that you have managed to open up Wiper-Blade , you should clean the waste collector unit and Blade part. Wiper-Blade should be cleaned with a soft cloth and not with a brush as the brush can put scratches on the blade.

wiper blade laser toner

Step-15. Next, you have to re-assemble the waste-unit part. First, fit the wiper-blade and then the plastic cover as shown:

opening laser printer toner blade

Step-16. Re-fit plastic cover so that it fixes into the cut/groove as shown:

fix laser toner
fixing-back-toner-12A

Step-17. Now Fit the spring back to its position as shown in the image below.

fix-back-spring-of-toner
groove-to-fix-spring

Step-18. Now what you have done so far is that you have opened the waste ink unit, cleaned it, and then closed that unit. Now begins the main part that is to refill the laser printer toner cartridge. So now, take the other unit where the ink resides. Open it and fill the Ink (dry) in it then close it and finally re-assemble the two units which were separated earlier.

ink-unit-to-refill-ink-in-toner
ink-section-toner-cartridge

Step-19. After removing the side cover, you can see a white plastic cover, you have to remove this and fill here the toner-ink:

removing-plastic-cap-of-ink-section-toner

Step-20. Remove white plastic cover, now you are ready to refill the toner but before that do not forget to “Shake the Ink Bottle before use”. After removing the cap of the bottle you can apply a plastic nozzle cap which you normally get along with a bottle or you can ask for one from the vendor.

refill-ink-bottle
installing-nozzle-on-ink-bottle

Step-21. Now it’s time to refill and close the cap as shown below:

pour ink in toner
laser toner ink unit cover

Step-22. Now you have to join together the two units i.e Waste-Unit and Ink-Unit as shown below: Make sure to align them as shown in the directions mentioned below:

join-together-waste-unit-ink-unit-of-toner
image-after-joining-two-sections-of-toner

Step-23. The next step will be to RE-Insert PINS (remember..!!!!) you plugged out from both sides.

install-toner-cartridge-pin

Step-24. Now after you have inserted pins (with hands ,no tool required) , it’s time to insert PCR roller as shown below:

fix-back-pcr-roller
laser toner parts

Step-25. Time to install Drum-Unit back to its position i.e onto drum holding pin :

fixing-back-toner-drum-HP12a

Step-26. After Re-installing the drum, Fit the side cover.

installing-side-cover-back-on-the-toner
side-cover-screw-tight

Step-27. And finally, re-insert Spring.

fix-spring-back-on laser-toner

I hope you will be able to refill laser printer toner easily by following the above steps. In case you have any queries you can ask us by posting your question in the comment box.

Filed Under: How To

About Subhash D

A tech-enthusiast, Subhash is a Graduate Engineer and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. Founder of it4nextgen, he has spent more than 20 years in the IT industry.

Comments

  1. knwledge says

    February 3, 2017 at 11:41 pm

    thank you very much for the information.This will make us save a lot of cash.

    good day

    Reply
  2. SD.REDDY says

    May 31, 2017 at 9:55 am

    Better than video’s,

    Reply
  3. Ken1 says

    July 27, 2017 at 5:22 am

    Thank you so very much, it will help save and make some cash

    Reply
  4. Gabriel says

    August 10, 2017 at 6:10 pm

    Thanks a lot

    Reply
  5. Brown James says

    September 26, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    This is very helpful.

    Reply
  6. John Bartiromo says

    October 25, 2017 at 7:04 pm

    I think that is WAY too many steps for the average home usefr. And I’m very mechanically capable. Id have to do all that 4 times for my color laser printer! I think I will go with a quality refilled set of cartritges at $10/each. Its a savings of $240 and save alot of lost little pins and springs and spare my family the cursing and screaming – but well done info.

    Reply
    • Subhash D says

      October 26, 2017 at 10:35 pm

      Not all the toners are mechanically same. This article focuses the steps to refill HP toners and HP12A in particular. Color laser toners should not be refilled at home. We tried it but the quality is not upto the mark. So either you buy new ones or get it machine-refilled at vendors place.

      Reply
    • SunnySky says

      July 24, 2018 at 1:37 am

      Hi, John. These are the exact same words that came out of my mouth!

      Reply
  7. ROMCIE says

    October 26, 2017 at 6:06 pm

    DOESNT TONER NEED TO BE MIXED IN A SPECIAL WAY BEFORE USED?

    Reply
    • Subhash D says

      October 26, 2017 at 10:28 pm

      No, You just need to shake it well.

      Reply
    • Brilliant says

      April 16, 2019 at 4:56 pm

      Good stuff

      Reply
  8. Feroz Cassim says

    December 13, 2017 at 9:42 pm

    Thanks for the instructions and did with my cartridge without any difficulties.

    Cheers

    Feroz Cassim
    Sri Lanka

    Reply
  9. Venkatesh MARUPURI says

    January 3, 2018 at 7:46 am

    Can we refill the same waste tank powder back ?

    Reply
    • Subhash D says

      January 3, 2018 at 4:28 pm

      No, you should not use waste ink at all. Neither it should be mixed with new ink.

      Reply
  10. Hoshiar Singh Pathania says

    March 7, 2018 at 9:15 am

    I am a raw hand in this field but after going through programs of technical knowledge launched by you on net, I have really become an IT engineer. I am really very much thankful for your vigorous efforts in providing this education. It will definitely fulfill dream of our P M to make Digital India.

    Reply
  11. Hoshiar Pathania says

    March 7, 2018 at 9:44 am

    I really enrich my knowledge in IT sector,that is all due to your untireble endeovers Thanks a lot.

    Reply
  12. Victor says

    March 11, 2018 at 10:37 am

    tnks alot what if the carterage start printing black pages….?

    Reply
    • Subhash D says

      March 17, 2018 at 4:41 pm

      The problem seems to be with magnetic rod.

      Reply
  13. mustapha Oubihi says

    March 14, 2018 at 3:46 am

    Thanks a lot of for your informative instructions. I wonder if 17a that I have in my new laser printer can be filled up the same way with no damage and how many paper can be printed after this process.
    Thanks in advance

    Reply
  14. Khalid says

    March 24, 2018 at 4:22 am

    what is the quantity ” grams” of powder needed to refill the toner
    thanks in advance

    Reply
    • Subhash D says

      April 7, 2018 at 10:15 pm

      100 grams is sufficient for 12 A toner

      Reply
  15. nkokana says

    March 30, 2018 at 7:28 pm

    i am a little confused which ink ( dry ) do i fill at step 18. and which one to fill at step 20 where it is mentioned that i refill toner. do i have 2 bottles here ( dry ink and liquid toner )? help me since i am new in this field.

    Reply
    • Subhash D says

      March 30, 2018 at 10:19 pm

      It’s only one type of ink used to refill laser toner. In both the steps I am referring to dry ink. Liquid ink is used to refill Inkjet cartridges.

      Reply
  16. Ricky says

    April 26, 2018 at 2:39 pm

    Hi, I refilled the ink in 12a toner but after refill, i’m having 2 issues. 1. Printing is dark on right side of the page as compared to the left side. 2. Backgroud of printed page is grey. I have already changed the wiper blade, doctor blade, pcr, drum and magnetic rod.

    Reply
    • Subhash D says

      April 27, 2018 at 2:58 pm

      I think one spring that is between the two units of the toner is missing. I have sent the photograph of spring position on your mail ID. Kindly Check it.

      Reply
  17. ochola ivan says

    April 28, 2018 at 9:00 pm

    how can I refill a 55A toner cartridges

    Reply
  18. Ezekiel says

    May 9, 2018 at 11:08 pm

    Please how can I refill hp laser jet 1320, it seems I am not getting It right.

    Reply
  19. Zamtea says

    June 20, 2018 at 9:52 am

    Is it mandatory to clean waste unit. Can I simply refill ink unit.

    Reply
    • Subhash D says

      June 27, 2018 at 5:15 pm

      yes, you cannot mix old ink with new ink as due to heating, the properties of old ink are changed.

      Reply
  20. davis sempela says

    June 28, 2018 at 1:20 am

    Thank you so much I’m having this problem

    Reply
  21. Henry says

    July 5, 2018 at 9:02 am

    Thank you so much for this helpful information.
    However after a refill my printer is printing fade one side and accurate the other side. What can I do? My catridge is 131A.

    Secondly here Malawi we don’t have shops where you can buy original refill tonner. Refills are done with untrusted vendors who can easily cheat with feque Tonner. Where from can I order an original tonner?

    Reply
  22. Sihle says

    July 17, 2018 at 11:22 am

    how many times can a toner cartridge be refilled?

    Reply
  23. Hari haran says

    July 21, 2018 at 12:19 pm

    Is there any different type of ink (dry) for different type of laser printer… ( I mean magnetic ink powder and non-magnetic ink powder) ?
    how to know which powder for which type of printer?

    Reply
    • Subhash D says

      July 24, 2018 at 12:16 pm

      Yes, there are magnetic and non-magnetic inks. For example you need magnetic ink for 12A toner and non-magnetic for 36A and 88 number toners.

      Reply
  24. kavindu says

    July 26, 2018 at 12:55 am

    can this method use for canon 725 ,toner?

    Reply
  25. Umar Farooq says

    August 20, 2018 at 3:16 am

    Thank you so much.

    Reply
  26. mercy says

    September 4, 2018 at 8:33 pm

    hi, new hp cartridge 05a and the printing is having black line on it, what should I do to resolved this problem

    Reply
    • Subhash D says

      September 12, 2018 at 12:05 pm

      The problem is with the wiper blade of the toner

      Reply
  27. Baque says

    September 22, 2018 at 9:45 am

    is the toner powder same for all the cartridges ? or different for Hp, Canon , etc

    Reply
    • Subhash D says

      September 28, 2018 at 4:16 pm

      There are two types of inks, magnetic and non-magnetic. So toner inks are different for different cartridges.

      Reply
  28. Kapeesh says

    October 13, 2018 at 11:03 am

    Thanks brother you are awesome and
    Your trick to refill cartridges
    Send me your more videos about technical support

    Reply
  29. chetan shinde says

    October 25, 2018 at 8:57 am

    how much quantity toner in ink powder say in grms

    Reply
  30. precious says

    November 13, 2018 at 9:20 pm

    can i refill 19A ink

    Reply
  31. precious says

    November 13, 2018 at 9:22 pm

    can i refill 19A ink
    because it has too compatible toner 17A and 19A so which can i refill

    Reply
  32. eduardo says

    March 5, 2019 at 12:54 pm

    by how?

    Reply
  33. sainath says

    January 3, 2020 at 11:37 am

    Oneside page coming complete dark

    Reply
    • sainath says

      January 3, 2020 at 11:37 am

      any mistake from my side

      Reply
      • Ishimwe regis says

        May 6, 2021 at 4:57 pm

        Nice

        Reply
  34. Daniel Adekunle says

    July 24, 2022 at 8:46 pm

    Afternoon engineer, please what is the best ink for 05a and what quantity of gm needed for a cartridge of 05a?

    Reply

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