Compatible Brother DR420 / DR450 drum unit: installation, reset and savings | Star Toner
Actualizado 18 julio 2026Share
The drum (or imaging unit) is the part that transfers toner onto the paper in Brother laser printers. It is not the same as the toner cartridge: the drum lasts much longer and is replaced less often. When your printer warns that the drum unit is worn out, you don't need to replace the machine or pay the price of the original spare part. This compatible Brother DR420 / DR450 drum yields up to 12,000 pages and is a direct replacement.
What it is and which printers it fits
This drum unit is equivalent to the Brother DR420 and DR450 references and is compatible with the following models:
- Brother DCP-7060D, DCP-7065DN, DCP-7070DW
- Brother HL-2230, HL-2240D, HL-2270DW, HL-2280DW
- Brother MFC-7240, MFC-7360N, MFC-7460DN, MFC-7860DW
Remember that the drum and the toner are separate consumables. If you also need to replace the toner in these machines, the compatible Brother TN360 toner is the usual companion for this same range.
How to install it and what to do if it "doesn't recognise the drum"
Installation is straightforward: switch off the printer, open the front cover and remove the drum + toner cartridge assembly. Separate the toner from the old drum using the green locking lever, click it into the new drum until it clicks, and put the assembly back into the printer.
On these Brother models, the "replace drum" warning doesn't rely on an electronic chip like the toner does: it is an internal counter that has to be reset to zero manually after the change. If the message keeps appearing when you switch on, reset the drum counter:
- On HL machines (HL-2240D, HL-2270DW, HL-2280DW): with the front cover open, press the power/clear button until the indicator confirms the reset.
- On DCP and MFC machines (DCP-7060D, MFC-7360N, MFC-7460DN, etc.): go into the menu, select the drum replacement option and confirm to reset the counter.
The exact button sequence varies by model, so check your printer's manual. Once the counter has been reset, the message disappears and the drum works normally.
Yield and savings versus the original
With a yield of up to 12,000 pages, this drum covers usage equivalent to an original unit in this range, but at a fraction of the cost. Replacing only the drum when it's due (and the toner separately) greatly reduces your cost per page compared with buying OEM consumables. If you want to see how a compatible consumable performs against an original one, we show it in original vs compatible printed side by side, and we break down the real cost in our guide on the real cost of printing.
What's more, compatible consumables are protected by law: using them does not void your printer's warranty, as we explain in the legal warranty for compatible cartridges in Spain.
Why buy it from Star Toner
We manufacture and select consumables under ISO 9001 quality controls, with a guarantee and shipping from Spain. The compatible Brother DR420 / DR450 drum is available for €8.98. If your machine uses a different drum reference, we also have the 12,000-page compatible Brother DR-2000 / DR-350 drum for other Brother models.
Frequently asked questions
Is the DR420/DR450 drum the same as the TN toner?
No. The drum (DR420/DR450) is the imaging unit that transfers toner onto the paper and lasts up to 12,000 pages. The toner (for example the TN360) is the powder that is used up with every print. They are separate parts and are replaced separately.
After changing the drum the "replace drum" message still appears — what should I do?
On the Brother models compatible with the DR420/DR450, the drum counter does not reset by itself: it has to be set to zero manually. On HL machines this is done with the cover open by pressing the clear button; on DCP and MFC machines, from the drum replacement menu. Check your model's manual for the exact button combination.
Does using a compatible drum void my Brother printer's warranty?
No. European and Spanish regulations protect the use of compatible consumables: the manufacturer cannot void the machine's warranty simply because you use them. You can read more in our article on the legal warranty for compatible cartridges.
Which printers does this drum work with?
With the Brother DCP-7060D, DCP-7065DN, DCP-7070DW, HL-2230, HL-2240D, HL-2270DW, HL-2280DW, MFC-7240, MFC-7360N, MFC-7460DN and MFC-7860DW.
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