The Brother TN-1030 is a compact monochrome toner cartridge used in popular entry-level laser printers like the Brother HL-1110, DCP-1510, and MFC-1910W. Because these machines do not use a smart chip to track toner levels, they rely on a mechanical “reset gear.” Knowing how to position this gear correctly is the most important part of a successful refill.
In this guide, we will show you how to refill the TN-1030 and reset the mechanism. However, if your prints are starting to show faint lines, we highly recommend replacing the unit with a high-quality ready-to-use cartridge.
Refill and Mechanical Reset Steps
- Opening the Cartridge: First, remove the side cover where the gears are located. In our video, we demonstrate how to access the refill plug and the gear system at [01:30].
- Cleaning the Developer Roller: Subsequently, it is essential to wipe the metal developer roller. Dust buildup here is the main cause of vertical white streaks on your documents.
- Refilling the Toner: Open the refill plug and pour in specialized Brother monochrome toner powder. Consequently, ensure the hopper is sealed tightly to prevent any powder leaks inside your printer.
- The Reset Gear Position: This is the most critical step. You must set the flag gear to its “starting” position as shown at [01:47]. When you insert the cartridge, the printer will rotate this gear once to acknowledge that a new toner has been installed.
- Final Reassembly: Finally, put the side cover back on. If you are using a “starter” cartridge (the one that came with the printer), it might not have the reset gear included. In that case, you will need to purchase a reset gear kit or a new full cartridge.
Recommended Brother TN-1030 Supplies & Hardware
For the most reliable printing experience, we suggest these high-quality components:
- High-Quality Replacement: Brother Genuine TN-1030 Black Toner – The official 1,000-page cartridge for perfect compatibility.
- Drum Unit Companion: Brother DR-1030 Drum Unit – Replace this every 10,000 pages to maintain crisp text quality.
- Maintenance Essential: 99% Isopropyl Alcohol – Ideal for cleaning the developer roller for deep black prints.
- Modern Printer Upgrade: Brother Printers and MFU – If your HL-1110 is ready for retirement, finding some wireless model is a fantastic upgrade.
Expert Tip: The Starter Cartridge Trap
Many users are surprised to find that the “starter” cartridge provided with the printer is missing the reset gear. Furthermore, if the printer still says “Replace Toner” after a refill, double-check that the gear was set in the correct direction. If the gear is slightly off, the printer’s sensor will not be triggered correctly.
Check out our other Brother guides: DR-3400 Drum Change or TN-3480 Toner Refill.
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