If you own a newer generation Brother monochrome laser printer, you’ve likely encountered the “Toner Low” or “Replace Toner” message. Whether you are using the European TN-2421, the American TN-760, or the Asian TN-2480, buying original cartridges every time can be expensive. Consequently, refilling them is the best way to save money while maintaining print quality.
In this guide, we will show you how to refill these cartridges and, more importantly, how to correctly position the reset gear (flag gear) so your printer recognizes the cartridge as “New.”
The Step-by-Step Fix
- Disassemble the Side Cover: First, you must remove the three screws on the gear side. Be careful not to lose the small tension springs underneath.
- Cleaning the Parts: Additionally, ensure you clean the Doctor Blade and the developer roller. Dust buildup here usually causes faint prints or white streaks.
- Refilling Powder: However, simply adding toner is not enough. You must empty the old powder first to avoid background graying before adding 50-80g of fresh toner.
- Reset Mechanism: Finally, follow the video to set the reset gear at the precise 1 o’clock position. This mechanical reset is what clears the error on your printer regardless of your region.
Important: Global Regional Codes
Before ordering parts or cartridges, you must identify your specific regional code. Although the refill process is the same, the reset gears and chips are region-specific:
- Europe: TN-2411 (Standard) / TN-2421 (High Yield)
- North America: TN-730 (Standard) / TN-760 (High Yield)
- Asia / Oceania: TN-2460 (Standard) / TN-2480 (High Yield)
- Middle East / Africa: TN-2410 (Standard) / TN-2420 (High Yield)
Recommended Tools for Printer Maintenance
Furthermore, high-quality supplies are essential for a long-lasting printer. Therefore, we recommend using these professional-grade products:
- Replacement (EU): Brother Genuine TN-2421 — Best choice for European models.
- Replacement (US): Brother Genuine TN-760 — Best choice for North American models.
- Drum Unit: DR-2401 / DR-730 .
Expert Tip
Before inserting the refilled cartridge, always wipe the Corona Wire (the green slider on the drum unit) back and forth a few times. This simple step ensures that the high-voltage charge is distributed evenly, preventing “ghosting” or gray backgrounds on your prints.
Facing other Brother issues? Check our guide on Brother TN-1030 Reset or Brother DR-3400 Drum Replacement.
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