Brother TN-1050 Toner Reset (HL-1110, DCP-1510)

If you've changed the cartridge and your Brother still warns of low toner, it's because the internal counter hasn't been reset. These printers count pages; they don't measure the actual toner left. When you fit a new cartridge, that counter has to go back to zero: with our compatible toner this usually happens on its own as soon as you install it.

First things first: with our compatible TN-1050, you often don't have to do anything

Our Compatible Brother TN1050 Toner (1,000 pages, ISO 9001) comes with a brand-new reset part. On most HL-1110, DCP-1510 or MFC-1810 units, the printer detects the cartridge when you close the cover and the counter returns to zero by itself. Fit it, close the cover and check: the warning often disappears without pressing a single button.

At €6.98 for 1,000 ISO pages, that works out at about 0.70 cents per page. An original costs you a good deal more to print exactly the same thing. That's why it pays to rule out the easy option first, before diving into menus or odd button combinations.

How do you install the TN-1050 toner step by step?

The process is identical on the HL-1110/1112, DCP-1510/1512/1610W and MFC-1810/1910W, because they all share the same toner + drum assembly. Take your time and don't force anything:

• Switch the printer off and open the front cover.
• Remove the complete assembly: the drum and the toner cartridge come out together.
• Lower the locking lever (usually green) to separate the old toner from the drum.
• Fit the new TN-1050 toner into the drum until you hear a click: that click confirms it's seated properly.
• Slide the drum + toner assembly back into the printer, pushing it all the way in.
• Close the front cover and switch on. Print a test page.

If you'd like the full detail, with tips to avoid smudging or scratching the drum, take a look at our complete guide: How to install a toner cartridge step by step without damaging it.

What if the printer still says "Replace Toner"?

If the message persists after closing the cover, you'll need to reset the counter by hand. Here we have to be honest: the exact sequence varies depending on the specific model of your Brother, so we'll give you the standard method for each type, not an invented magic combination.

• Models with a screen and keypad (MFC-1810, MFC-1910W): the reset is done from the printer menu, by going into the toner reset options and confirming. Follow whatever the screen shows you.
• LED models without a keypad (HL-1110, HL-1112, DCP-1510, DCP-1512): the reset is done with the front cover open, holding down the power/start button for a few seconds until the indicator lights respond. The exact duration and light depend on the model.

We're not going to give you one specific button combination as if it worked for everyone, because it isn't true: it differs between an HL-1110 and a DCP-1512. If your model doesn't match what's above, get in touch with the exact reference and we'll send you the correct sequence for that unit. For the message on Brother and HP in general, see also "Replace Toner": resetting the Brother and HP counter.

And if you're coming from a newer Brother range, in Brother TN-2510 toner reset: keep printing we explain the continue mode for that family, which works differently.

Is it the toner or the drum that's failing?

Careful, because not every warning is about toner. If the message mentions the drum ("Replace Drum" or "Drum"), or you see repeated streaks and marks every few centimetres, the problem is the imaging unit, not the cartridge. The drum lasts much longer than the toner, but it wears out too.

On these machines the drum is the Compatible Brother DR1050 Drum (10,000 pages), at €8.98. It lasts about ten times longer than the toner, so it's normal to change several TN-1050s before touching the DR1050. Both share the same models: HL-1110/1112, DCP-1510/1512/1610W/1612W and MFC-1810/1910W.

Quick summary

• The warning persists because the page counter wasn't reset, not because the toner is empty.
• With our compatible TN-1050, in most cases it resets itself when you close the cover.
• If the message stays: menu (models with a screen) or button with the cover open (LED models); the exact sequence depends on the model.
• If the warning is about the drum or there are repeated streaks, change the DR1050, not the toner.

Want to keep a spare on hand and really save? Take a look at our best-selling compatible toners and inks.

Frequently asked questions