Brother DCP-L3550CDW aftermarket toner failure
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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.
Background
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]
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| Battery is usually hidden behind the chip (removed for this photo) | The toner chip that contains the battery |
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| 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:
- 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
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
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
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]