Brother printer dcp 3550 cdw cartridges failure: Difference between revisions

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{{InfoboxProductLine

| Title = ~~{{PAGENAME}}~~

| Title = Brother DCP-L3550CDW Printer Scanner

| Release Year =

| Release Year = 2018

| Product Type =

| Product Type = Hardware Printer/Scanner

| In Production =

| In Production = No

| Official Website =

| Official Website = https://store.brother.co.uk/catalogs/brotheruk/devices/laser/dcp/dcpl3550cdw

| Logo =

| Logo = DCPL3550CDW main.png

}}Brother printer DCP-3550-CDW cartridge failures are an issue with the batteries (1.5V) that feed the toner chip. If the printer is turned off for a prolonged period of time those batteries can empty themselves, which results in the printer not recognizing the cartridge despite the fact that it's reading it's capacity.

}}

[[~~File:Error Display~~.~~jpg~~|~~left|thumb|Error display of~~ the issue]]

The [[Brother Industries, Ltd.|'''Brother''']] DCP-L3550CDW printer requires toner cartridges with embedded chips for authentication. Some '''aftermarket (non-OEM) cartridges''' include '''battery-powered chips''', which can lead to recognition failures if the battery depletes. However, '''genuine Brother cartridges do not contain a battery''', and the battery issue is not caused by the printer itself.

==Issue Description==

Aftermarket toner manufacturers use '''battery-powered chips''' to bypass Brother’s authentication system. When the '''1.5V battery inside these third-party chips depletes''', the printer fails to recognize the cartridge, displaying a misleading "No Toner" error message, even if toner remains in the cartridge.

This issue '''does not affect OEM Brother cartridges''', as they use '''a different chip design that does not require a battery'''. Brother’s chip system is primarily used for '''tracking toner levels and verifying cartridge authenticity''', which can restrict third-party toner compatibility but is not responsible for battery failures in non-OEM cartridges.<ref name="printerforums1" />

[[File:Toner life screen.jpg|thumb|left|Toner life despite error screen]]

{| class="wikitable" style="clear:both"

|-

|[[File:Toner chip emplacement.jpg|300px|Battery is usually hidden behind the chip]]

|[[File:Chip.jpg|300px|This is the chip]]

|-

|Battery is usually hidden behind the chip (removed for this photo)

|The toner chip that contains the battery

|}

[[File:Error Display.jpg|thumb|left|Error display of the issue]]

{| class="wikitable"

|-

|[[File:Toner with chip.jpg|300px|This is where the chip resides]]

|[[File:Battery of the chip.jpg|300px|Battery of the chip]]

|-

|Location where the chip is installed on the cartridge

|Close-up of the battery on the chip

|}

==User-Discovered Solutions==

Users have found several workarounds for this issue:

~~[[File:Toner life screen~~.~~jpg|left|thumb|Toner life despite error screen]]~~

*Taking out the cartridges before turning off the printer for an extended period.

*Replacing the chip of the affected cartridge with the chip from an older cartridge that still has battery power ''(the chip is attached with screws)''.

*Replacing the 1.5V battery yourself if you have the necessary tools (requires soldering skills).

*Keeping the printer perpetually turned on to avoid battery depletion.

Users on Printer Forums reported success with '''replacing the battery or swapping the chip''' from a recognized cartridge.<ref name="printerforums2" /> Others have noted that pressing the '''red X and back arrow on the printer control panel''' allows access to toner status and may temporarily resolve the issue.<ref name="printerforums3" />

==Firmware-Related Issues==

Firmware updates have been linked to preventing the use of third-party toner chips. Several users reported that after updating their printer to '''firmware version 1.59''', previously working third-party cartridges were no longer recognized, triggering the "No Toner" error.<ref name="printerforums1" /> This is '''separate''' from the issue of dead batteries on aftermarket cartridges.

To prevent firmware-related cartridge recognition problems, users have suggested:

*Disabling automatic firmware updates via the printer settings.<ref name="printerforums2" />

*Blocking the printer from internet access to avoid automatic updates.<ref name="printerforums3" />

==Consumer Impact Summary==

While Brother's chip-based authentication system '''restricts the use of non-OEM toner cartridges''', the '''battery issue is caused by third-party cartridge manufacturers, not Brother'''. The chip requirement itself can be seen as a method to enforce '''a closed ecosystem''', potentially increasing costs for consumers. However, the '''battery-powered chip design is an independent choice made by aftermarket manufacturers''', not a function of the Brother printer or its OEM cartridges.<ref name="printerforums2" />

==Related Incidents==

This issue primarily affects '''aftermarket toner cartridges''' used in multiple Brother printer models:

*Brother MFC-L3770CDW experiences identical battery-related toner recognition failures.<ref name="printerforums2" />

*Users of Brother printers with TN-760 cartridges have reported similar issues.<ref name="printerforums1" />

One user on Printer Forums expressed frustration, stating: <blockquote>''"I am very close to trashing my Brother printer and getting something else. Are there any laser printers that DO NOT HAVE BATTERIES in their toner cartridges and have aftermarket cartridge sources?"''<ref name="printerforums3" /></blockquote>

==See Also==

*[[Printer cartridge DRM]]

*[[Planned obsolescence]]

*[[Right to repair]]

==References==

<ref name="printerforums1">[https://www.printerforums.net/threads/solved-brother-dcp-l3550cdw-no-toner-error-message.69896/page-1 Printer Forums - Page 1]</ref>

<ref name="printerforums2">[https://www.printerforums.net/threads/solved-brother-dcp-l3550cdw-no-toner-error-message.69896/page-2 Printer Forums - Page 2]</ref>

<ref name="printerforums3">[https://www.printerforums.net/threads/solved-brother-dcp-l3550cdw-no-toner-error-message.69896/page-3 Printer Forums - Page 3]</ref>

</references>

~~The error doesn't point out that it's the battery from which the issue comes, it just tells you to replace the cartridge.~~

[[Category:Brother]]

[[Category:Brother DCP-L3550CDW]]

~~The battery is not easy to see and it is not made to be replaced.~~

[[Category:Repair barriers]]

[[~~File~~:~~Toner chip emplacement.jpg|left|thumb|389x389px|Battery is usually hidden behind the chip i just got it out~~]]

==Cargo Data==

[[~~File~~:~~Chip.jpg|thumb|251x251px|This is the chip]]~~

~~[[File:Toner with chip.jpg|none|thumb|281x281px|This is where the chip resides]]~~

~~[[File:Battery of the chip.jpg|left|thumb|192x192px|Battery of the chip~~]]

[[~~File~~:~~Other angle battery.jpg|thumb|180x180px|An other angle of the soldering of the battery~~]]

~~[[File:Toner Frontside.jpg|none~~|~~thumb|181x181px|Front side of toner]]~~

~~Solutions for this i have found online have been :~~

~~-Taking out the cartridges of the printer before turning it off for a long period of time~~

~~-Replacing the chip of the cartridge with the chip of an older one that still has some battery left because the chip is essentially just screwed on the cartridge~~.

{{IncidentCargo|Companies=Brother Industries Ltd.|Categories=Planned obsolesence,Third Party|DateOfIncident=2025}}

-~~Changing the battery yourself if you have the tools~~.

~~-Keeping the printer perpetually turned~~ on.

'''This notice should never be visible on a live page.'''

=~~=Consumer impact summary==~~

</p>

This is a design flaw that is most likely deliberate as the cartridges for this printer are pretty expensive. These issues aren't, to my knowledge, talked about by the seller and as aforementioned, the issue inst pointed at by the printer when it gives an error screen, it just tells you to replace the cartridge, and the 1~~.5V battery isn't in a compartment designed for casual replacement~~

</div>

~~==Incidents==~~

If this notice regularly appears, I will have to consider using data-* attributes,

~~This is a list of all consumer protection incidents related to this product. Any incidents not mentioned here can~~ be ~~found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]]~~.

which might be character limited by MediaWiki.

~~Incident with another brother printer toner~~. ~~Not the same model but same principle :~~

This is embedded JSON metadata that a browser extension may easily read.

Currently, this is explicitly for testing and should not be copied (yet!) as the format will change.

~~https://blog.ambor.com/2025/02/brother-mfc-l3770cdw-toner-fix.html~~

~~Reddit thread talking about~~ this ~~issue specifically :~~

~~https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/v8imcc/aftermarket_brother_toner_no_toner_bad_chip/~~

~~==See also==~~

~~{{Placeholder box|Link to relevant theme articles or products with similar incidents.}}~~

~~==References==~~

~~{{reflist}}https://www.reddit~~.~~com/r/printers/comments/v8imcc/aftermarket_brother_toner_no_toner_bad_chip/~~

~~https://blog~~.~~ambor.com~~/~~2025~~/~~02/brother~~-~~mfc~~-~~l3770cdw~~-~~toner~~-~~fix.html~~

Please do not remove until I am done testing. -Kyli  

[[Category:~~{{PAGENAME~~}~~}]]~~

</p>

</div>

@@ JSON METADATA FORMAT BEGIN @@

{

"Organization" : "Brother",

"Organization_Category_URL" : "*/Category:Brother/",

"Product_Name" : "Brother DCP-L3550CDW Printer Scanner",

"Product_Category_URL" : "*/Category:Brother_DCP-L3550CDW/"

}

@@ JSON METADATA FORMAT END @@

</nowiki>

</div>

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{InfoboxProductLine
-| Title = {{PAGENAME}}
+| Title = Brother DCP-L3550CDW Printer Scanner
-| Release Year =
+| Release Year = 2018
-| Product Type =
+| Product Type = Hardware Printer/Scanner
-| In Production =
+| In Production = No
-| Official Website =
+| Official Website = https://store.brother.co.uk/catalogs/brotheruk/devices/laser/dcp/dcpl3550cdw
-| Logo =
+| Logo = DCPL3550CDW main.png
-}}Brother printer DCP-3550-CDW cartridge failures are an issue with the batteries (1.5V) that feed the toner chip. If the printer is turned off for a prolonged period of time those batteries can empty themselves, which results in the printer not recognizing the cartridge despite the fact that it's reading it's capacity.
+}}
-[[File:Error Display.jpg|left|thumb|Error display of the issue]]
+The [[Brother Industries, Ltd.|'''Brother''']] DCP-L3550CDW printer requires toner cartridges with embedded chips for authentication. Some '''aftermarket (non-OEM) cartridges''' include '''battery-powered chips''', which can lead to recognition failures if the battery depletes. However, '''genuine Brother cartridges do not contain a battery''', and the battery issue is not caused by the printer itself.
+==Issue Description==
+Aftermarket toner manufacturers use '''battery-powered chips''' to bypass Brother’s authentication system. When the '''1.5V battery inside these third-party chips depletes''', the printer fails to recognize the cartridge, displaying a misleading "No Toner" error message, even if toner remains in the cartridge.
+This issue '''does not affect OEM Brother cartridges''', as they use '''a different chip design that does not require a battery'''. Brother’s chip system is primarily used for '''tracking toner levels and verifying cartridge authenticity''', which can restrict third-party toner compatibility but is not responsible for battery failures in non-OEM cartridges.<ref name="printerforums1" />
+[[File:Toner life screen.jpg|thumb|left|Toner life despite error screen]]
+{| class="wikitable" style="clear:both"
+|-
+|[[File:Toner chip emplacement.jpg|300px|Battery is usually hidden behind the chip]]
+|[[File:Chip.jpg|300px|This is the chip]]
+|-
+|Battery is usually hidden behind the chip (removed for this photo)
+|The toner chip that contains the battery
+|}
+[[File:Error Display.jpg|thumb|left|Error display of the issue]]
+{| class="wikitable"
+|-
+|[[File:Toner with chip.jpg|300px|This is where the chip resides]]
+|[[File:Battery of the chip.jpg|300px|Battery of the chip]]
+|-
+|Location where the chip is installed on the cartridge
+|Close-up of the battery on the chip
+|}
+==User-Discovered Solutions==
+Users have found several workarounds for this issue:
-[[File:Toner life screen.jpg|left|thumb|Toner life despite error screen]]
+*Taking out the cartridges before turning off the printer for an extended period.
+*Replacing the chip of the affected cartridge with the chip from an older cartridge that still has battery power ''(the chip is attached with screws)''.
+*Replacing the 1.5V battery yourself if you have the necessary tools (requires soldering skills).
+*Keeping the printer perpetually turned on to avoid battery depletion.
+Users on Printer Forums reported success with '''replacing the battery or swapping the chip''' from a recognized cartridge.<ref name="printerforums2" /> Others have noted that pressing the '''red X and back arrow on the printer control panel''' allows access to toner status and may temporarily resolve the issue.<ref name="printerforums3" />
+==Firmware-Related Issues==
+Firmware updates have been linked to preventing the use of third-party toner chips. Several users reported that after updating their printer to '''firmware version 1.59''', previously working third-party cartridges were no longer recognized, triggering the "No Toner" error.<ref name="printerforums1" /> This is '''separate''' from the issue of dead batteries on aftermarket cartridges.
+To prevent firmware-related cartridge recognition problems, users have suggested:
+*Disabling automatic firmware updates via the printer settings.<ref name="printerforums2" />
+*Blocking the printer from internet access to avoid automatic updates.<ref name="printerforums3" />
+==Consumer Impact Summary==
+While Brother's chip-based authentication system '''restricts the use of non-OEM toner cartridges''', the '''battery issue is caused by third-party cartridge manufacturers, not Brother'''. The chip requirement itself can be seen as a method to enforce '''a closed ecosystem''', potentially increasing costs for consumers. However, the '''battery-powered chip design is an independent choice made by aftermarket manufacturers''', not a function of the Brother printer or its OEM cartridges.<ref name="printerforums2" />
+==Related Incidents==
+This issue primarily affects '''aftermarket toner cartridges''' used in multiple Brother printer models:
+*Brother MFC-L3770CDW experiences identical battery-related toner recognition failures.<ref name="printerforums2" />
+*Users of Brother printers with TN-760 cartridges have reported similar issues.<ref name="printerforums1" />
+One user on Printer Forums expressed frustration, stating: <blockquote>''"I am very close to trashing my Brother printer and getting something else. Are there any laser printers that DO NOT HAVE BATTERIES in their toner cartridges and have aftermarket cartridge sources?"''<ref name="printerforums3" /></blockquote>
+==See Also==
+*[[Printer cartridge DRM]]
+*[[Planned obsolescence]]
+*[[Right to repair]]
+==References==
+<references>
+<ref name="printerforums1">[https://www.printerforums.net/threads/solved-brother-dcp-l3550cdw-no-toner-error-message.69896/page-1 Printer Forums - Page 1]</ref>
+<ref name="printerforums2">[https://www.printerforums.net/threads/solved-brother-dcp-l3550cdw-no-toner-error-message.69896/page-2 Printer Forums - Page 2]</ref>
+<ref name="printerforums3">[https://www.printerforums.net/threads/solved-brother-dcp-l3550cdw-no-toner-error-message.69896/page-3 Printer Forums - Page 3]</ref>
+</references>
-The error doesn't point out that it's the battery from which the issue comes, it just tells you to replace the cartridge.
+[[Category:Brother]]
+[[Category:Brother DCP-L3550CDW]]
-The battery is not easy to see and it is not made to be replaced.
+[[Category:Repair barriers]]
-[[File:Toner chip emplacement.jpg|left|thumb|389x389px|Battery is usually hidden behind the chip i just got it out]]
+==Cargo Data==
+{{Important|Testing cargo extension}}
-[[File:Chip.jpg|thumb|251x251px|This is the chip]]
-[[File:Toner with chip.jpg|none|thumb|281x281px|This is where the chip resides]]
-[[File:Battery of the chip.jpg|left|thumb|192x192px|Battery of the chip]]
-[[File:Other angle battery.jpg|thumb|180x180px|An other angle of the soldering of the battery]]
-[[File:Toner Frontside.jpg|none|thumb|181x181px|Front side of toner]]
-Solutions for this i have found online have been :
--Taking out the cartridges of the printer before turning it off for a long period of time
--Replacing the chip of the cartridge with the chip of an older one that still has some battery left because the chip is essentially just screwed on the cartridge.
+{{IncidentCargo|Companies=Brother Industries Ltd.|Categories=Planned obsolesence,Third Party|DateOfIncident=2025}}
--Changing the battery yourself if you have the tools.
+<div style="display: none; visibility: hidden; text-align: center; padding: 2%; font-family: monospace; background-color: #222222;" class="extensionMetadataTesting">
+   <div class="extMetaTest_notice">
+       <div style="font-size: large; background-color: #444444; padding: 1%; margin: 1% 9%; width: 80%; height: 0.01%;">
+          <p style="font-size: large; text-align: center; background-color: #444444;">
--Keeping the printer perpetually turned on.
+             '''This notice should never be visible on a live page.'''
-==Consumer impact summary==
+          </p>
-This is a design flaw that is most likely deliberate as the cartridges for this printer are pretty expensive. These issues aren't, to my knowledge, talked about by the seller and as aforementioned, the issue inst pointed at by the printer when it gives an error screen, it just tells you to replace the cartridge, and the 1.5V battery isn't in a compartment designed for casual replacement
+       </div>
+       <p style="text-align: left; background-color: #444444; padding: 1%; margin: 1% 9%; width: 80%;">
-==Incidents==
+          If this notice regularly appears, I will have to consider using data-* attributes,
-This is a list of all consumer protection incidents related to this product. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
+          which might be character limited by MediaWiki.
-Incident with another brother printer toner. Not the same model but same principle :
+          This is embedded JSON metadata that a browser extension may easily read.
+          Currently, this is explicitly for testing and should not be copied (yet!) as the format will change.
-https://blog.ambor.com/2025/02/brother-mfc-l3770cdw-toner-fix.html
-Reddit thread talking about this issue specifically :
-https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/v8imcc/aftermarket_brother_toner_no_toner_bad_chip/
-==See also==
-{{Placeholder box|Link to relevant theme articles or products with similar incidents.}}
-==References==
-{{reflist}}https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/v8imcc/aftermarket_brother_toner_no_toner_bad_chip/
-https://blog.ambor.com/2025/02/brother-mfc-l3770cdw-toner-fix.html
+          Please do not remove until I am done testing. -Kyli &#32;
-[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
+       </p>
+   </div>
+   <div style="display: none; visibility: hidden; text-align: left; font-size: xx-small;" class="extMetaTest_content">
+      <nowiki>
+         @@ JSON METADATA FORMAT BEGIN @@
+         {
+            "Organization" : "Brother",
+            "Organization_Category_URL" : "*/Category:Brother/",
+		    "Product_Name" : "Brother DCP-L3550CDW Printer Scanner",
+		    "Product_Category_URL" : "*/Category:Brother_DCP-L3550CDW/"
+         }
+         @@ JSON METADATA FORMAT END @@
+      </nowiki>
+   </div>
+</div>