Brother TN-423/TN-433 Toner Reset (HL-L8260, MFC-L8690)
Actualizado 18 julio 2026Share
If you changed the cartridge and your Brother still shows "Replace Toner", it's almost never the new toner at fault: the internal page counter hasn't been reset. The printer counts prints, it doesn't measure ink, so until that counter goes back to zero it will keep warning you. It's fixed either with the new chip or with a manual reset.
First things first: our compatible cartridge already comes with the reset chip
Before you start hunting for odd button combinations, keep this in mind. Our compatible Brother TN423/TN433 colour toner (6,500 pages) includes a new reset chip in every cartridge. In most cases, the printer reads it when you fit it and zeroes the counter on its own. Often there's nothing more to do: you slot in the cartridge, close the cover and off you print.
With a yield of 6,500 pages for €11.98, the cost works out to about 0.18 cents per page. If the message disappears when you close the front cover, that's it: don't touch any more menus, the reset has happened automatically. It's compatible with HL-L8260CDW, HL-L8360CDW, MFC-L8690CDW, MFC-L8900CDW, DCP-L8410CDW and HL-L9310CDW.
How do I install the TN-423/TN-433 toner step by step?
The process is the same across the whole HL-L8260/L8360 and MFC-L8690/L8900 family. The key is not to force it and to listen for the click:
- Turn off the printer and wait a few seconds.
- Open the front cover fully.
- Pull out the toner + drum assembly by the handle; pull firmly, but without yanking.
- Rest it on a sheet of paper and lower the green locking lever to separate the old toner from the drum.
- Unpack the new TN-423/TN-433 and gently shake it from side to side to spread the powder.
- Fit the new toner into the drum until you hear a firm click.
- Reinsert the assembly into the printer, sliding it along the guides.
- Close the front cover and turn it on.
If you'd prefer the detail with more context, we have our guide How to install a toner cartridge step by step without damaging it.
What if it still shows "Replace Toner"?
If after installing it the panel keeps insisting on "Replace Toner" or "Replace Toner Cartridge", you'll need to reset the counter by hand. The standard method depends on whether your Brother has a touchscreen or is an LED-type model with only a few buttons:
- Models with a screen (common on the MFC-L8690CDW/L8900CDW): the reset is done from the printer menu, in the cartridge information or maintenance section, confirming the toner counter reset.
- LED models or those with a reduced panel (common on the HL-L8260/L8360): the reset is usually done with the front cover open, holding down the relevant button until the machine confirms it.
That said, let's be honest: the exact sequence —which button, how many seconds, which submenu— varies depending on the specific model and firmware version. We're not going to give you a made-up combination as if it were universal. If your panel doesn't match the above, write to us with the exact model and we'll send you the specific steps.
To properly understand where the warning comes from, take a look at "Replace Toner: resetting the counter on Brother and HP". And if the machine simply won't read the new chip, we cover that in "My printer doesn't recognise the compatible toner". On other Brother cartridges the system changes; the TN-2510, for example, has a continue mode that we explain in its TN-2510 reset guide.
Is it a toner problem or a drum problem?
Careful, don't confuse the toner warning with the drum one. The drum is the light-sensitive part that sits beneath the cartridge and lasts many more pages than the toner. If the panel says "Replace Drum" or "Drum", or if you see lines and marks repeating every few centimetres on the page, the problem isn't the toner: it's the drum, and that's changed and reset separately.
Before buying anything, check exactly which message shows on the panel. If it's the toner one, the compatible cartridge and its chip sort it out. You can browse consumables for your Brother in our Star Toner best-sellers collection, and if you're unsure of the exact model, just ask us: we'll tell you what you need without overselling.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Brother keep asking for toner when I've just changed it?
Because the printer counts pages, it doesn't measure ink, and the counter hasn't been zeroed. With our compatible cartridge the new chip usually resets it on its own when you close the cover; if not, you have to reset the counter by hand from the menu or with the front cover open.
Does Star Toner's compatible TN-423/TN-433 toner come with a chip?
Yes. Every cartridge includes a new reset chip, so on most Brother HL-L8260/L8360 and MFC-L8690/L8900 machines the counter zeroes automatically when you install it. In most cases you don't have to touch any menu or button combination.
How do I reset the counter if the message won't go away?
On models with a screen it's done from the cartridge maintenance menu; on LED ones, with the front cover open and holding down the right button. The exact sequence varies by model and firmware, so write to us with your model reference and we'll give you the specific steps.
How many pages does it yield and how much does it cost per page?
Each cartridge yields about 6,500 pages at 5% ISO coverage for €11.98, which works out to about 0.18 cents per page. That's a cost well below the original, while keeping colour print quality on your Brother machine.
Is it a toner or a drum fault?
If the panel says "Replace Toner", it's the cartridge. If it says "Replace Drum" or repeated marks appear every few centimetres, it's the drum unit, which lasts many more pages and is changed and reset separately from the toner.
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