Brother TN-325/TN-315 toner reset (HL-4150, MFC-9460)

Changed the toner and your Brother still shows "Replace Toner"? The problem isn't the cartridge: it's that the internal page counter hasn't been reset. The printer counts pages, not actual toner, and keeps warning you until that counter goes back to zero. It almost always sorts itself out.

First things first: our toner already comes with a new reset chip

Before you get tangled up hunting for button combinations, this will save you time. Our Compatible Brother TN325 TN315 colour toner · 4,000 pages includes a new chip and reset part. In most cases, the printer reads that chip when you close the cover and sets the counter to zero on its own. You don't have to do anything beyond installing it.

It works across the whole colour range: DCP-9055CDN, DCP-9270CDN, HL-4140CN, HL-4150CDN, HL-4570CDW, MFC-9460CDN, MFC-9465CDN and MFC-9970CDW. That new chip is exactly what separates a compatible that works from one that leaves the error message stuck on your screen.

• Price: €11.98
• Yield: 4,000 ISO pages
• Cost per page: around €0.003 (0.3 cents)
• Replaces: TN-325 and TN-315

At €11.98 and 4,000 pages, the cost per page works out to around €0.003. You print the same as with an original for a fraction of the price. If the printer still doesn't recognise it, we have a dedicated guide: My printer doesn't recognise the compatible toner: what to do.

How do I install the TN-325/TN-315 toner step by step?

The fitting is identical across the whole HL-4140/4150/4570, DCP-9055/9270 and MFC-9460/9465/9970 range. Take your time and don't force anything: the toner and drum unit slots in with very little pressure.

• Turn off the printer and wait a few seconds before opening it.
• Open the front cover fully.
• Remove the toner + drum unit by pulling gently on the handle.
• Push down the locking lever and separate the old toner from the drum.
• Fit the new toner in the matching colour until you hear a click. It should sit properly in place.
• Reinsert the unit into its guide and close the front cover firmly.

When you close it, the printer runs its start-up cycle and, with the new chip, clears the warning. If it's your first time changing one, take a look at How to install a toner step by step without damaging it so you don't scratch the drum or touch the roller.

What if the Brother keeps saying "Replace Toner"?

With the new chip you'll almost never end up here. But if your machine insists, a manual counter reset does exist and it's documented. That said, we'll be honest: the exact method depends on the model and the firmware, so we'll give you the usual pattern, not a magic combination.

• Models with a display (MFC-9460CDN, MFC-9465CDN, DCP-9055CDN, DCP-9270CDN): you normally reach a menu with the front cover open and select the colour you want to reset.
• Simpler or LED-type models: the typical pattern is to open the front cover and hold down the right button for a few seconds, until the display confirms the reset.

Let's be clear: the exact button sequence varies by model, and we don't want you memorising the wrong combination. If your machine doesn't respond to the pattern above, write to us with the exact reference (for example, HL-4150CDN) and we'll send you the verified steps for that model. There's more context on this warning in "Replace Toner": resetting the Brother and HP counter, and a hands-on case of the same type in Brother TN-2510 toner reset: keep printing.

When is the problem the drum and not the toner?

It matters to tell them apart before you spend money. The drum is a separate part that lasts several toners. If the printer asks you to "Replace Drum", or you see vertical streaks, repeated shadows every few centimetres or ghost marks, the fault isn't in the toner cartridge you just fitted.

In those cases, changing the toner solves nothing: you need to check or replace the colour-range drum. If you're not sure which part the machine is actually asking for, look at the literal message on the display or write to us. You can see compatible spares and consumables in our Compatible Toner and Ink — Best sellers collection.

Quick summary

• The warning persists because the counter hasn't been reset, not because the toner is empty.
• Our compatible TN-325/TN-315 comes with a new chip: in most cases it resets on its own.
• Install with the printer off, until you hear the click, and close the cover properly.
• If it insists, a manual reset exists, but the sequence varies by model: ask us for your reference.
• Streaks or repeated shadows are usually the drum, not the toner.

Frequently asked questions