Dell has become a major leader in the technology industry. With its beginnings as a computer-building firm, Dell has been in the industry since the 1980s. Originally it sold personal computers on a custom-order basis which allowed for more personalization, wider variety of options and lower cost because of not keeping large inventories on hand. From these beginnings Dell kept to its business model as it began to reach out into other related fields like printers and copiers, wireless devices, and so forth. Nowadays Dell is a fixture in many offices and homes. People use Dell laptops, Dell desktop computers, Dell printers and copiers, and Dell toner cartridges.
If your home or office printer or copier is a Dell, this article will explain to you how to simply and easily go about replacing the Dell ink cartridges if they run low. Dell tends to make very efficient machines which will conserve toner and not waste it by putting it on too heavily. This not only results in savings, it is also more environmentally friendly and produces higher-quality printouts both in color and black and white. However, even with this kind of efficient design there will still come a day when you have to change the toner, and this article will help you do it with the least fuss.
The first thing to do is make sure you know whether you really need to change the toner. Typical signs of low toner include faded or spotty printing, or lines on the page. However this may be a result of other conditions too. For instance, lines or streaking on the page may mean there is a tiny piece of paper lodged in the printer somewhere. This can happen if there was a paper jam and someone tore the paper out instead of removing it carefully. To check for this, open up the printer as if you were going to check for a paper jam. Look at the rollers and see that they are all clear. If needed, lift out the toner cartridge and look under it. If there is a torn piece of paper anywhere you can pull it out by hand. Be gentle so that you do not tear it even further. Once everything is clear you can put the cartridge back in and the streaking will resolve itself. Run a few test sheets through and see for yourself.
Faded or spotty printing can also sometimes be solved without getting new toner. Try lifting out the toner cartridge and shaking it gently. Do not hit the printer and do not bang the cartridge against anything, just a simple shaking motion will do. This will help break up any clumping toner inside the cartridge. When you put the cartridge back in the printer should be back to normal, but be aware that this is only a short-term fix. The toner is running low at this point and you will need to order more soon if you have not already.
If these above steps do not help then it is definitely time for a new cartridge. Here are the steps to changing it.
First, make sure you are using the right toner cartridge. Not every printer is the same. For example if you are using the Dell 3110cn, make sure you get Dell 3110cn toner.
Second, open up the printer or copier. Wait until no one is using it or ask everyone else to hold on (if you are in an office). Depending on the model this will be different, some have a door in the front or some on the top. Occasionally it is even the back. But it will be easy to find, just look for the little bump where you put your thumb and when you pull on it the door will open.
Next remove the old toner cartridge. For most larger units they just pull right out. Some have a lever or release which will be a bright color. Be gentle pulling out the cartridge. Once it is out, do not shake it around because you do not want to get any residue toner on yourself. Set it aside because most companies like Dell offer a recycling program.
Now look at your new toner cartridge. Check it for any tags or tabs. Oftentimes there is a tab covering parts of the cartridge so toner does not leak out during shipping. You will need to pull these off or the printer will not work. Once you do, go ahead and slip the cartridge into the printer the same way you took out the other one.
Now just close up the door and the printer is as good as new!