Brother printer dcp 3550 cdw cartridges failure: Difference between revisions

Brother DCP-L3550CDW Printer Scanner
Basic Information
Release Year	2018
Product Type	Hardware Printer/Scanner
In Production	No
Official Website	https://store.brother.co.uk/catalogs/brotheruk/devices/laser/dcp/dcpl3550cdw

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Latest revision as of 11:27, 5 March 2025

The 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[edit | edit source]

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.^[1]


Battery is usually hidden behind the chip (removed for this photo)	The toner chip that contains the battery


Location where the chip is installed on the cartridge	Close-up of the battery on the chip

User-Discovered Solutions[edit | edit source]

Users have found several workarounds for this issue:

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.^[2] 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.^[3]

Firmware-Related Issues[edit | edit source]

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.^[1] 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.^[2]
Blocking the printer from internet access to avoid automatic updates.^[3]

Consumer Impact Summary[edit | edit source]

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.^[2]

Related Incidents[edit | edit source]

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

Brother MFC-L3770CDW experiences identical battery-related toner recognition failures.^[2]
Users of Brother printers with TN-760 cartridges have reported similar issues.^[1]

One user on Printer Forums expressed frustration, stating:

"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?"^[3]

References[edit | edit source]

↑ ^{Jump up to: 1.0} ^1.1 ^1.2 Printer Forums - Page 1
↑ ^{Jump up to: 2.0} ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 Printer Forums - Page 2
↑ ^{Jump up to: 3.0} ^3.1 ^3.2 Printer Forums - Page 3

Cargo Data[edit | edit source]

Important: Testing cargo extension

Companies	Brother Industries Ltd.
Categories	Planned obsolesence,Third Party
Date of incident	2025

[printerforums1-1] {Jump up to: 1.0} ^1.1 ^1.2 Printer Forums - Page 1

[printerforums2-2] {Jump up to: 2.0} ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 Printer Forums - Page 2

[printerforums3-3] {Jump up to: 3.0} ^3.1 ^3.2 Printer Forums - Page 3

[1]

[2]

[3]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
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 {{InfoboxProductLine
 | Title = Brother DCP-L3550CDW Printer Scanner
@@ Line 25: / Line 8: @@
 }}
-The [[Brother Industries, Ltd.|'''Brother''']] DCP-L3550CDW printer experiences cartridge failures related to the 1.5V batteries that power the toner chip. If the printer is turned off for a prolonged period, these batteries can deplete, which results in the printer not recognizing the cartridge despite still being able to read its toner capacity.
+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.
-When the battery depletes, the printer displays an error message that misleadingly tells users to replace the cartridge rather than identifying the actual battery issue. This occurs even when the toner level screen shows plenty of remaining toner, creating an artificial need to purchase new cartridges. The battery is not easy to access and is not designed to be replaced by users.[[File:Toner life screen.jpg|thumb|left|Toner life despite error screen]]
+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"
@@ Line 48: / Line 34: @@
 |Location where the chip is installed on the cartridge
 |Close-up of the battery on the chip
-|}
-{| class="wikitable"
-|-
-|[[File:Other angle battery.jpg|300px|An other angle of the soldering of the battery]]
-|[[File:Toner Frontside.jpg|300px|Front side of toner]]
-|-
-|Another angle showing how the battery is soldered to the chip
-|Front side of the toner cartridge
 |}
 ==User-Discovered Solutions==
 Users have found several workarounds for this issue:
-*Taking out the cartridges before turning off the printer for an extended period
+*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 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)
+*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
+*Keeping the printer perpetually turned on to avoid battery depletion.
-According to users on Reddit<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/v8imcc/aftermarket_brother_toner_no_toner_bad_chip/</ref>, removing all toner cartridges before restarting the printer & then reinserting them sometimes fixes the issue temporarily. As one user who provides managed print services noted: <blockquote>''I have confirmed 100% the printers themselves often short out the chips on toners. Aftermarket or OEM, when printer is rebooted or loses power. Remove all toners when restarting, then put them back in.''<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/v8imcc/comment/ibre9kx/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/v8imcc/comment/ibre9kx/]</ref></blockquote>
-==Battery Replacement Process==
-As documented on the Ambor blog<ref>https://blog.ambor.com/2025/02/brother-mfc-l3770cdw-toner-fix.html</ref> for the similar Brother MFC-L3770CDW model:
-. Take out the toner cartridge
-. Locate the chip contacts and slide the chip out by gently pressing to one side
-. Identify the small watch battery (marked as LR521/AG0, a 1.5V battery)
-. Using a paperclip, carefully push out the old battery
+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" />
-. Replace with a new battery, keeping track of which side is positive (+ side down in most cases)
+==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.
-. Reinsert the chip into the cartridge
+To prevent firmware-related cartridge recognition problems, users have suggested:
+*Disabling automatic firmware updates via the printer settings.<ref name="printerforums2" />
-. Power cycle the printer after reinstalling the cartridge
+*Blocking the printer from internet access to avoid automatic updates.<ref name="printerforums3" />
-Users report voltage readings below 1.1V on failing batteries, while working ones should measure closer to 1.5V.
 ==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" />
-This design flaw forces consumers to purchase expensive replacement cartridges when their existing ones still work. The issue is not disclosed by the manufacturer, and the error message misleadingly suggests replacing the entire cartridge rather than indicating the actual battery problem. The 1.5V battery is not in a compartment designed for user replacement, requiring technical skills to access and replace.
-This design represents a form of planned obsolescence that artificially shortens the usable life of toner cartridges, creating unnecessary electronic waste & forcing unnecessary additional expenses on consumers of Brother printers.
 ==Related Incidents==
+This issue primarily affects '''aftermarket toner cartridges''' used in multiple Brother printer models:
-This issue affects multiple Brother printer models with a similar design:
+*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" />
-*Brother MFC-L3770CDW experiences identical battery-related toner recognition failures<ref>https://blog.ambor.com/2025/02/brother-mfc-l3770cdw-toner-fix.html</ref>
-*Users of Brother printers with TN-760 cartridges have reported similar issues<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/v8imcc/aftermarket_brother_toner_no_toner_bad_chip/comments/iwpb0tp/</ref>
-*The issue affects both OEM and aftermarket cartridges, though aftermarket ones may be more susceptible
-One user on Reddit summarized the frustration: <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 after market cartridge sources?"''<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/v8imcc/aftermarket_brother_toner_no_toner_bad_chip/comments/1272dys/</ref></blockquote>
+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==
@@ Line 112: / Line 70: @@
 ==References==
-<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>
 [[Category:Brother]]
 [[Category:Brother DCP-L3550CDW]]
-[[Category:Planned obsolescence]]
 [[Category:Repair barriers]]
+==Cargo Data==
+{{Important|Testing cargo extension}}
+{{IncidentCargo|Companies=Brother Industries Ltd.|Categories=Planned obsolesence,Third Party|DateOfIncident=2025}}
+<div style="display: none; visibility: hidden; text-align: center; padding: 2%; font-family: monospace; background-color: #222222;" class="extensionMetadataTesting">
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+          <p style="font-size: large; text-align: center; background-color: #444444;">
+             '''This notice should never be visible on a live page.'''
+          </p>
+       </div>
+       <p style="text-align: left; background-color: #444444; padding: 1%; margin: 1% 9%; width: 80%;">
+          If this notice regularly appears, I will have to consider using data-* attributes,
+          which might be character limited by MediaWiki.
+          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.
+          Please do not remove until I am done testing. -Kyli &#32;
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+		    "Product_Name" : "Brother DCP-L3550CDW Printer Scanner",
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+         @@ JSON METADATA FORMAT END @@
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+</div>