Brother printer dcp 3550 cdw cartridges failure: Difference between revisions

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 {{InfoboxProductLine
 | Title = Brother DCP-L3550CDW Printer Scanner
-| Release Year =2018
+| Release Year = 2018
-| Product Type =Hardware
+| Product Type = Hardware Printer/Scanner
-Printer/Scanner
+| In Production = No
-| In Production =No
+| Official Website = https://store.brother.fr/catalogs/brotherfrance/appareils/laser/dcp/dcpl3550cdw?sc_src=corp The website is in French; if anyone can get the English version it would be appreciated
-| Official Website =https://store.brother.fr/catalogs/brotherfrance/appareils/laser/dcp/dcpl3550cdw?sc_src=corp The website is in french, if anyone can get the english version it would be appreciated
+| Logo = QuestionMark.svg
-| Logo =QuestionMark.svg
+}}
-}}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 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.
+==Issue Description==
+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]]
+{| 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
+|}
+{| 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
+|}
-[[File:Toner life screen.jpg|left|thumb|Toner life despite error screen]]
+==User-Discovered Solutions==
+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
+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
+. Replace with a new battery, keeping track of which side is positive (+ side down in most cases)
-The error doesn't point out that it's the battery from which the issue comes, it just tells you to replace the cartridge.
+. Reinsert the chip into the cartridge
-The battery is not easy to see and it is not made to be replaced.
+. Power cycle the printer after reinstalling the cartridge
-[[File:Toner chip emplacement.jpg|left|thumb|389x389px|Battery is usually hidden behind the chip i just got it out]]
+Users report voltage readings below 1.1V on failing batteries, while working ones should measure closer to 1.5V.
-[[File:Chip.jpg|thumb|251x251px|This is the chip]]
+==Consumer Impact Summary==
-[[File:Toner with chip.jpg|none|thumb|281x281px|This is where the chip resides]]
+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==
-[[File:Battery of the chip.jpg|left|thumb|192x192px|Battery of the chip]]
+This issue affects multiple Brother printer models with a similar design:
-[[File:Other angle battery.jpg|thumb|180x180px|An other angle of the soldering of the battery]]
+*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>
+==See Also==
-[[File:Toner Frontside.jpg|none|thumb|181x181px|Front side of toner]]
+*[[Printer cartridge DRM]]
+*[[Planned obsolescence]]
+*[[Right to repair]]
-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.
--Changing the battery yourself if you have the tools.
--Keeping the printer perpetually turned on.
-==Consumer impact summary==
-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
-==Incidents==
-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]].
-Incident with another brother printer toner. Not the same model but same principle :
-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/
+<references />
-https://blog.ambor.com/2025/02/brother-mfc-l3770cdw-toner-fix.html
+[[Category:Brother printers]]
+[[Category:Planned obsolescence]]
+[[Category:Repair barriers]]
 [[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]