Brother TN-2420 and TN-2420XL Toner Reset: Keep Printing

If your Brother keeps showing "Replace Toner" after you've changed it, it's almost never a fault with the cartridge: it's that the internal counter hasn't been reset. The printer doesn't measure actual ink, it counts printed pages. With a compatible toner that comes with a new chip, that counter usually zeroes itself the moment you install it.

First things first: do you need to reset anything with a compatible toner?

In most cases, there's no need to touch anything. Our Compatible Brother TN2420 Toner and the Compatible Brother TN2420XL Toner include a new reset chip. When you fit it, the Brother reads it as a full cartridge and clears the warning on its own. Switch on, print and you're done, no menus or odd button combinations.

To give you some real figures: the TN2420XL yields 4,500 pages for €13.98, around 0.31 cents per page. The TN2420 yields 3,000 pages for €9.98, roughly 0.33 cents per page. Both work with the HL-L2310D, HL-L2350DW, HL-L2370DN, DCP-L2530DW, MFC-L2710DW and MFC-L2730DW, among others.

How do you change the TN-2420 toner step by step?

On these Brother printers the cartridge has two parts that come out together and are then separated: the toner (the top part, which runs out quickly) and the drum (the large tray underneath). Do it like this, taking your time:

• Switch off the printer and open the front cover.
• Pull out the complete toner + drum assembly, easing it gently towards you.
• Push down the green lever on the drum and separate the old toner.
• Take the new toner out of its bag and rock it gently from side to side to distribute the powder inside.
• Fit the new toner into the drum until you hear a firm click.
• Slide the assembly back into the printer and close the front cover.

Switch on. If all has gone well, the warning disappears and you can print. If you'd like the detail with more context so you don't scratch the drum, we have our guide on how to install a toner step by step without damaging it.

And if the Brother still says "Replace Toner"?

It can happen, especially if the chip hasn't made good contact or if your particular model also needs a manual reset. Before you make it complicated: switch off, take out the cartridge and refit it, making sure it sits properly. Often the warning came from a loose contact. If you read it first, it will also help to understand why your printer doesn't recognise the compatible toner.

If it persists, you'll need to reset the counter manually. And here we'll be honest: the logic is similar across the whole TN-2420 family, but the exact button sequence changes from one model to another, so we're not going to give you a single combination as if it worked for all of them.

• Models with an LCD screen and keypad (various MFC and DCP models, such as the MFC-L2710DW or the MFC-L2730DW): the reset is usually done from the machine's menu, sometimes with the front cover open and confirming on the screen.
• Models with LED lights and a button, no keypad (such as the HL-L2310D): normally you open the front cover and hold down the right button for a few seconds, until the lights confirm the reset.

Since each model (HL-L2350DW, HL-L2370DN, DCP-L2530DW...) uses slightly different steps, check your model's manual or write to us with the exact reference and we'll send you the specific sequence. There are two sister guides that may help you: the TN-2510 toner reset and the general guide to "Replace Toner": resetting the counter on Brother and HP.

Is it the toner or the drum?

They're not the same part and it's worth not confusing them. The toner is the powder that runs out quickly; the drum (the DR-2400 unit) is what transfers that powder onto the paper and lasts much longer. If you see repeated vertical streaks, regular dots or the message "Replace Drum" / "Drum", the problem isn't the toner.

The Compatible Brother DR2400 Drum yields 12,000 pages for €14.98, around 0.12 cents per page. It also comes with its own reset, and on many Brother printers the drum counter zeroes by holding down a button with the cover open; again, check the sequence for your model. It works with the HL-L2310D, HL-L2350DW, DCP-L2530DW, MFC-L2710DW and more. You can see all the options in our compatible laser toner collection or check out machines in LaserJet printers.

In summary

Change the toner, switch on and on most Brother printers in the TN-2420 series the warning clears on its own thanks to the new chip. If it doesn't, take out and refit the cartridge, and only then reset the counter manually according to your model. And if the marks persist even though the toner is full, look at the DR-2400 drum. Not sure about your exact reference? Write to us with the model and we'll tell you exactly what you need.

Frequently asked questions