Samsung MLT-D203/D204/D205 compatible toner reset

If you've changed the cartridge and your Samsung still warns of low toner or "Replace toner", it's almost never the new cartridge that's at fault: it's the printer's counter, which is still holding the reading from the old one. On most Samsung models that counter resets by itself as soon as it reads the new chip.

Why does my Samsung keep asking for toner after I've changed it?

Laser printers don't "look" at how much powder is left inside the cartridge: they keep a count of the pages printed and estimate the level from the chip fitted to each toner. If that chip isn't read properly or the counter doesn't update, the machine carries on showing the warning from the old cartridge even though the new one is full. That's why the "reset" everyone talks about is, in reality, simply bringing that counter up to date.

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

Before you get into menus or odd sequences, here's the important bit: our Samsung compatible toners come with a new reset chip fitted at the factory. In most cases, when you install the cartridge the printer reads that chip, sets the level to 100% and the warning disappears on its own, without you having to do anything else.

• Samsung MLT-D203L compatible toner — 5,000 pages for €19.98 (around 0.4 cents per page). For ProXpress SL-M3320ND, M3370FD, M3820DW, M3820ND, M3870FW, M4020ND and M4070FR.
• Samsung MLT-D204L compatible toner — 5,000 pages for €14.98 (around 0.3 cents per page). For ProXpress SL-M3325ND, M3375FD, M3825DW, M3825ND, M3875FD, M3875FW, M4025ND and the M4075 series.
• Samsung MLT-D205L compatible toner — 5,000 pages for €19.98 (around 0.4 cents per page). For ML-3310, ML-3310ND, ML-3312ND, ML-3710, ML-3710ND, ML-3712ND and the SCX-4833/5637/5639/5739.

Pay attention to the final letter of your reference. The "L" is the high-capacity version (5,000 pages), which is the one we sell. If your printer originally came with an "S" as standard, the "L" fits just the same and yields considerably more for the same swap.

How to install the Samsung MLT-D203, D204 or D205 toner step by step

These Samsung cartridges are a single piece (toner and chip together), so the change is quick and there's no need to separate anything inside:

1. Leave the printer switched on (that way it detects the new cartridge sooner) and open the front or top cover depending on the model.
2. Remove the spent cartridge by pulling the handle gently. On the ProXpress series it's at the front; on the ML-3310/3710 and SCX, under the top cover.
3. Unpack the new one, remove the seal and the protective tape, and shake it horizontally five or six times to spread the toner evenly.
4. Slide the cartridge in along its guides until you hear a firm click. If it goes in crooked or doesn't seat, don't force it: take it out and realign it.
5. Close the cover. The printer will run a short cycle, read the chip and the warning should disappear.

Is this your first time and you don't want to risk smudging it or scratching the drum? Have a look at our step-by-step guide to installing a toner without damaging it; it works for any brand.

What if it still shows "Replace toner"?

Let's be honest: on Samsung there's no "magic" button combination to reset the toner as there is on many Brother printers, because the level is managed with the chip. If the warning doesn't go away after the change, try this order:

• Open the cover, take out the cartridge and put it back in, making sure it clicks. Often it's just a poor chip contact.
• Carefully clean the gold contacts on the cartridge and on the printer with a dry cloth, without touching the roller.
• Switch the printer off for a minute and back on so it retakes the reading.

The exact sequence and the messages change depending on the model and the firmware version. If yours behaves differently or the warning persists, write to us with the exact reference of your printer and we'll tell you how to proceed in your specific case: we'd rather do that than give you an invented combination that may not apply to your machine.

If what you have at home is a Brother or an HP, the reset there tends to be manual. We explain it in "Replace toner": resetting the counter on Brother and HP and, for the most common model, in the Brother TN-2510 toner reset.

When is the problem the drum and not the toner?

On these Samsung machines, the drum (or imaging unit) is a separate part from the toner and lasts many more cartridges. If the warning mentions "drum", "imaging unit" or you see streaks and marks that repeat every few centimetres, it isn't a matter of changing the toner: it's time for the imaging unit. Don't confuse it with the toner warning, because fitting a new cartridge won't fix it. Write to us with your model and we'll confirm which unit you need.

Which compatible cartridge do I need for my Samsung?

The reference depends on your printer's family:

• ProXpress SL-M3320 / M3820 / M4020 (and M3370/M3870/M4070): use the MLT-D203L.
• ProXpress SL-M3325 / M3825 / M4025 / M4075 (and M3375/M3875): use the MLT-D204L.
• ML-3310 / ML-3710 and SCX-4833/5637/5639/5739: use the MLT-D205L.

They all yield 5,000 ISO pages and cost a fraction of the original, with the same guarantee. You can see them alongside the rest in our collection of best-selling compatible toner and ink. And if you're coming from a smaller Samsung, take a look at our guide to the MLT-D111S toner for the Xpress M2020 and M2070.

Frequently asked questions