Samsung MLT-D101S / D1042S Toner Reset (ML-2160, SCX-3400)

If your Samsung keeps showing "Replace toner" after you've changed the cartridge, it's almost always the same thing: the internal counter hasn't been reset to zero. The printer counts pages, it doesn't measure actual toner. With a compatible toner that comes with a new chip, in most cases it resets itself the moment you install it.

First things first: our toner already comes with the reset chip

Before you get tangled up in menus and buttons, here's what matters. Our compatible cartridges come with a factory-new chip and reset part. That means, on most Samsung printers in this family, the printer detects the toner as "full" the moment you fit it. Often there's nothing more to do.

Choose yours according to your model:

• For ML-2160, ML-2165, ML-2168, SCX-3400, SCX-3405 (F/FW/W) and SF-760: the Compatible Samsung MLT-D101S Toner · 1,500 pages for €11.98.
• For ML-1660, ML-1665, ML-1670, ML-1865 and SCX-3200/3205/3217/3218: the Compatible Samsung MLT-D1042S Toner · 1,500 pages, also at €11.98.

Both yield 1,500 ISO pages. That puts the cost per page at around €0.01 (€11.98 ÷ 1,500). Print quality comparable to an original, at a fraction of the price. And if you're unsure which one fits your machine, check the compatibility list on each product before you buy.

How do I install the toner without damaging the printer?

The process barely changes between these models. Take your time, don't force anything, and you'll have it done in two minutes:

• Switch off the printer and wait a few seconds.
• Open the front cover (on the ML-2160 and SCX-3400 it lifts upwards).
• Pull out the complete assembly: on these Samsung printers, the toner and the drum come out together as a single unit.
• Separate the old toner cartridge from the drum. It usually releases with a small lever or by pulling gently.
• Fit the new toner into the drum until you hear a firm click. That click is the sign it has seated properly.
• Reinsert the assembly into the printer, pushing it all the way in.
• Close the cover and switch on.

If you'd like to see it in more detail, we have a general guide: How to install a toner step by step without damaging it. It works for almost any laser printer.

And if it still says "Replace toner"?

With our new chip, it should normally print. But some units, depending on their firmware, keep the warning. Here we have to be honest: the manual reset exists, although the exact sequence varies according to the specific model and firmware version, and there's no single valid combination for the whole range.

What is standard across this Samsung family:

• On the SCX-3400/3405 with a panel, the reset is done from the machine's own maintenance menu, not with hidden shortcuts.
• On the ML-2160/2165 (with barely any keypad), it's often enough to switch off, leave the new toner fitted, and switch back on for it to recognise the chip.
• In general, on Samsung, the new chip on the compatible cartridge is usually enough and you don't need to touch anything.

We're not going to invent a "magic" button combination for you and present it as a certainty, because on these models that changes from one unit to another. If yours insists after trying the above, write to us with the model and the exact on-screen message and we'll tell you the specific step for your machine. The counter logic is the same one we explain here for other brands: "Replace toner": resetting the Brother and HP counter.

Is it the toner or the drum?

It's worth telling them apart, because they're different parts. The toner is the powder that prints; the drum is the cylinder that transfers that powder onto the paper. On these Samsung printers they're fitted together, but they're bought separately.

• If the printer asks for toner or you notice the print looks light and faded, it's the cartridge: replace it with the compatible one.
• If you see repeated lines, fixed marks every so many centimetres or the drum warning, then the problem is the drum and not the toner.

The drum lasts much longer than the toner (several cartridges), so it's rarely the culprit in a normal change. If your case is more about ghosting or lines, check the drum first before spending on new toner.

A similar case with other Samsung printers

If you also have an Xpress M2020 or M2070 at home or in the office, the reset and compatible logic is identical, only the reference changes: we've explained it in Samsung M2020/M2070 Toner: the compatible MLT-D111S. And if you're coming from the Brother world, we break down the classic "keep printing" in Brother TN-2510 Toner Reset.

Looking for another reference or want to see what our customers buy most? Take a look at the Compatible Toner and Ink — best sellers collection. There you'll find verified compatibles for the most common brands, with the same approach: they save you money without the drama and with a guarantee.

Frequently asked questions