When to Replace the Drum in a Laser Printer?

Some copy machines do double duty as laser printers.

While drum replacement in a laser printer varies with the printer, several telltale signs indicate it’s time to replace the printer drum. The drum transfers the image and adheres it to the paper through a heat process. Most new laser printers have the imaging drum inside the print cartridge. In laser printers that have a imaging drum separate from the print cartridge, a display usually lets you know it’s time to replace the imaging drum.

Printed Copies

What mileage is to a vehicle, printed copies are to laser printers and copiers. Most laser printers require drum replacement when a set copy milestone is reached. Some combination printer-copiers use counters and electronic messages to alert the operator that it is time to replace the imaging drum, but many simple desktop laser printers do not because the imaging drum is inside the print cartridge. In these printers, replace the drum print cartridge when the ink runs out.

Lines on the Paper

Long lines appearing unbidden on the printed copies are one sign that the print drum cartridge requires replacement. Any mars on the drum will show up on the printed page as splotches, lines or blemishes. When the laser print-drum cartridge begins to empty, streaking may occur on the printed page. For those laser printers that have imaging drums separate from print cartridges, confirm the print cartridge is not the problem before replacing the drum.

Blank Paper

Blank pages consistently "printing" is is a common sign that it’s time to replace the printer drum cartridge because the print drum cartridge is out of ink. Follow the instructions for your laser printer to replace the printer drum cartridge. Regardless of printer type, this involves removing a plastic strip from the cartridge before inserting into the printer. Use caution when you remove the plastic strip, as removing the strip allows the powdered laser ink to come out of the cartridge. Don’t shake the cartridge with the strip removed. Avoid scratching the exposed imaging drum.

Odd Sounds

Odd mechanical or grinding sounds coming from your laser printer could mean print drum cartridge failure. Combined with a distorted or fading print image, the sounds could be a signal the print drum cartridge requires replacement. Because printers don’t usually make grinding or mechanical noises, replace the print drum cartridge immediately when this happens. If the replacement does not rectify the noise problem, obtain service for the printer.

Service

For laser printers with imaging drums separate from the print cartridge, the imaging drum requires replacement after it reaches the milestone mark for printed copies. The imaging drum replacement requires a qualified service representative for leased or owned machines under warranty. Removing and replacing an imaging drum yourself can revoke a warranty. Leased machines usually have a service contract associated with the lease.

References

• PrintCountry: How To Know When It Is Time To Change Your Laser Printer Drum Cartridge
• Dell Support: Replacing the Imaging Drum