How to Clean up a Toner Spill in a Laser Printer

If you have ever moved a laser printer you know that it can result in loose toner being redistributed everywhere. Failure to clean up loose toner can result in your printer not being able to pull paper from the trays correctly, discolored or smudged prints, error codes, or a printer that will not turn on.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vacuum with small attachments
• Pressurized air
• Alcohol
• Q-tips

1. 
    

   Lay a sheet or paper over the area you will be cleaning the printer and its parts. This will limit the spread of the excess toner. Always make sure you have the windows open in the room you are working in as breathing loose toner is not good for you. Take out all removable parts of the printer; including paper trays, drum, duplexing unit, etc. Lay them on sheet. (This does NOT include toner cartridges. It is best to leave them in place.)

2. 
    

   Use the smallest attachments on your vacuum. Suck up as much toner from printer and components as possible. You will not get all the toner by any means, but the more you can suck up the less you will be blowing loose into the air.

3. 
    

   Use pressurized air to blow away any remaining toner on, or in, printer and components. Recheck areas when you finish as toner will redeposit while you progress through out the printer.

4. 
    

   Blow off excess toner from toner cartridges. Rotate the cartridges one by one and clean each one off.

5. 
    

   Dip Q-tips into rubbing alcohol and clean off the paper rolls on each paper tray. Clean off any type of wheel or roller you see on the components.

6. 
    

   Clean all rollers and wheels located on the printer its self. You will need to get down and look at the bottom of the top-side of each paper tray opening. Rotate all rollers or wheels and clean with alcohol.

7. 
    

   Place components back in printer. Print a test document, expecting that toner will be smudged or smeared across page. Print out pages until you receive a clear document. If you are unable to get the quality of print you need; you should contact a professional service to clean your printer.

Tips & Warnings

• For major moves, you should remove the toner cartridges and drums from the printer prior to the move. It will save you a lot of time and hassle in the long run.
• Do not force the vacuum into any small areas or run it against any parts of the printer that may be scratched or damaged by coming into contact with a solid object.
• If you do not have a well ventilated area, or have a large toner spill, you should wear a paper mask while cleaning your printer.

[Vanillatte]

on 10/21/2008 Great advice. Will print and place by the printer for future reference when cleaning the laser printer!!

[maryellen1001]

on 10/20/2008 Good advice! Thank you.