Can allowing toner to get low damage a laser printer?
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2
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I have a laser printer and sometimes I have continued using a toner cartridge until it is literally out of toner - ignoring the messages that the printer gives me.
Can this damage the printer in any way? For instance, the drum or the fuser unit? How does the toner being low specifically affect the other components?
laser-printer
asked Oct 7 '13 at 14:51
Moses
9,0682158103
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I have a laser printer and sometimes I have continued using a toner cartridge until it is literally out of toner - ignoring the messages that the printer gives me.
Can this damage the printer in any way? For instance, the drum or the fuser unit? How does the toner being low specifically affect the other components?
laser-printer
asked Oct 7 '13 at 14:51
Moses
9,0682158103
1
You can safelty assume that if a low toner could damage your laser printer that the printer would stop printing, allowing a user to damage their hardware, only increases the maintance costs for that user, when they make a warranty claim.
– Ramhound
Oct 7 '13 at 15:06
Most modern laser printers will stop working at some point to prevent damage, if the toner is too low. Your question as it stands may be closed though, as it is asking an opinion, and you do not provide your exact printer make and model.
– user3463
Oct 7 '13 at 15:07
@RandolphWest I do ask for specific facts relating to how the toner being low would interact with the drum/fuser. I wouldn't consider that opinion.
– Moses
Oct 7 '13 at 15:10
1
@RandolphWest I removed the last question, as that did sound like a request for opinion.
– Moses
Oct 7 '13 at 15:12
1
You can safely assume that low toner will never cause any damage, but that printer companies may prevent the printer from printing past X number of pages to force you to buy new toner ($$ for them) when there is still useful life left in the toner you have. There is NOTHING that will damage the printer from having no toner in it. I consider the ability to print until the page is nearly white (ie, I change it when it no longer suits ME) to be an important selection criterion for laser printers, having met a few of the other sort, and found them to be irritating ransom-bots.
– Ecnerwal
Oct 7 '13 at 20:12
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I have a laser printer and sometimes I have continued using a toner cartridge until it is literally out of toner - ignoring the messages that the printer gives me.
Can this damage the printer in any way? For instance, the drum or the fuser unit? How does the toner being low specifically affect the other components?
laser-printer
asked Oct 7 '13 at 14:51
Moses
9,0682158103
I have a laser printer and sometimes I have continued using a toner cartridge until it is literally out of toner - ignoring the messages that the printer gives me.
Can this damage the printer in any way? For instance, the drum or the fuser unit? How does the toner being low specifically affect the other components?
laser-printer
laser-printer
asked Oct 7 '13 at 14:51
Moses
9,0682158103
asked Oct 7 '13 at 14:51
Moses
9,0682158103
edited May 31 at 15:16
asked Oct 7 '13 at 14:51
Moses
9,0682158103
asked Oct 7 '13 at 14:51
Moses
9,0682158103
asked Oct 7 '13 at 14:51
Moses
9,0682158103
9,0682158103
1
You can safelty assume that if a low toner could damage your laser printer that the printer would stop printing, allowing a user to damage their hardware, only increases the maintance costs for that user, when they make a warranty claim.
– Ramhound
Oct 7 '13 at 15:06
Most modern laser printers will stop working at some point to prevent damage, if the toner is too low. Your question as it stands may be closed though, as it is asking an opinion, and you do not provide your exact printer make and model.
– user3463
Oct 7 '13 at 15:07
@RandolphWest I do ask for specific facts relating to how the toner being low would interact with the drum/fuser. I wouldn't consider that opinion.
– Moses
Oct 7 '13 at 15:10
1
@RandolphWest I removed the last question, as that did sound like a request for opinion.
– Moses
Oct 7 '13 at 15:12
1
You can safely assume that low toner will never cause any damage, but that printer companies may prevent the printer from printing past X number of pages to force you to buy new toner ($$ for them) when there is still useful life left in the toner you have. There is NOTHING that will damage the printer from having no toner in it. I consider the ability to print until the page is nearly white (ie, I change it when it no longer suits ME) to be an important selection criterion for laser printers, having met a few of the other sort, and found them to be irritating ransom-bots.
– Ecnerwal
Oct 7 '13 at 20:12
add a comment |
1
You can safelty assume that if a low toner could damage your laser printer that the printer would stop printing, allowing a user to damage their hardware, only increases the maintance costs for that user, when they make a warranty claim.
– Ramhound
Oct 7 '13 at 15:06
Most modern laser printers will stop working at some point to prevent damage, if the toner is too low. Your question as it stands may be closed though, as it is asking an opinion, and you do not provide your exact printer make and model.
– user3463
Oct 7 '13 at 15:07
@RandolphWest I do ask for specific facts relating to how the toner being low would interact with the drum/fuser. I wouldn't consider that opinion.
– Moses
Oct 7 '13 at 15:10
1
@RandolphWest I removed the last question, as that did sound like a request for opinion.
– Moses
Oct 7 '13 at 15:12
1
You can safely assume that low toner will never cause any damage, but that printer companies may prevent the printer from printing past X number of pages to force you to buy new toner ($$ for them) when there is still useful life left in the toner you have. There is NOTHING that will damage the printer from having no toner in it. I consider the ability to print until the page is nearly white (ie, I change it when it no longer suits ME) to be an important selection criterion for laser printers, having met a few of the other sort, and found them to be irritating ransom-bots.
– Ecnerwal
Oct 7 '13 at 20:12
1
1
You can safelty assume that if a low toner could damage your laser printer that the printer would stop printing, allowing a user to damage their hardware, only increases the maintance costs for that user, when they make a warranty claim.
– Ramhound
Oct 7 '13 at 15:06
You can safelty assume that if a low toner could damage your laser printer that the printer would stop printing, allowing a user to damage their hardware, only increases the maintance costs for that user, when they make a warranty claim.
– Ramhound
Oct 7 '13 at 15:06
Most modern laser printers will stop working at some point to prevent damage, if the toner is too low. Your question as it stands may be closed though, as it is asking an opinion, and you do not provide your exact printer make and model.
– user3463
Oct 7 '13 at 15:07
Most modern laser printers will stop working at some point to prevent damage, if the toner is too low. Your question as it stands may be closed though, as it is asking an opinion, and you do not provide your exact printer make and model.
– user3463
Oct 7 '13 at 15:07
@RandolphWest I do ask for specific facts relating to how the toner being low would interact with the drum/fuser. I wouldn't consider that opinion.
– Moses
Oct 7 '13 at 15:10
@RandolphWest I do ask for specific facts relating to how the toner being low would interact with the drum/fuser. I wouldn't consider that opinion.
– Moses
Oct 7 '13 at 15:10
1
1
@RandolphWest I removed the last question, as that did sound like a request for opinion.
– Moses
Oct 7 '13 at 15:12
@RandolphWest I removed the last question, as that did sound like a request for opinion.
– Moses
Oct 7 '13 at 15:12
1
1
You can safely assume that low toner will never cause any damage, but that printer companies may prevent the printer from printing past X number of pages to force you to buy new toner ($$ for them) when there is still useful life left in the toner you have. There is NOTHING that will damage the printer from having no toner in it. I consider the ability to print until the page is nearly white (ie, I change it when it no longer suits ME) to be an important selection criterion for laser printers, having met a few of the other sort, and found them to be irritating ransom-bots.
– Ecnerwal
Oct 7 '13 at 20:12
You can safely assume that low toner will never cause any damage, but that printer companies may prevent the printer from printing past X number of pages to force you to buy new toner ($$ for them) when there is still useful life left in the toner you have. There is NOTHING that will damage the printer from having no toner in it. I consider the ability to print until the page is nearly white (ie, I change it when it no longer suits ME) to be an important selection criterion for laser printers, having met a few of the other sort, and found them to be irritating ransom-bots.
– Ecnerwal
Oct 7 '13 at 20:12
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
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1
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accepted
Short answer: No.
A laser printer will have a mixture of toner and developer in its developer housing. The physical interaction between the particles of toner and developer are what gives the toner an electrical charge. The polarity of this charge will depend on the development system being used in your specific printer.
The printer will either have a Toner Concentration (TC) sensor, or use an algorithm to determine how much toner is in the housing, and how much to dispense.
In many home and small office printers, when you replace the toner you also replace the developer as well, starting you with a known TC. If you are actually adding toner, only, then the printer will dispense toner to reach the working TC. I suppose it might take longer to tone up if you really ran it down.
In no case would you run into a permanent damage situation.
answered Oct 7 '13 at 19:19
daxlerod
2,18611618
As I bring up. If the printer has the ability to damage itself then it's a poorly made product because a user hit changing the toner can't or won't accept the blame if their printer is damaged beyond repair. The ink will run out well before a low toner will damage the printer itself
– Ramhound
Oct 7 '13 at 19:49
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
Just look at how the laser printer works. http://computer.howstuffworks.com/laser-printer3.htm A laser beam create an electrical charge on a drum, this charge attract small particles of toner that are then transferred to the paper. Then the paper goes trough the oven that cook the toner to make it stick to paper. I see no reason why no toner can do any damage to the printer. It will just stay blank.
Do not believe printer sellers. They make no money on the printer but only on cartridge. So they will tell you to change them more often than necessary.
answered Oct 7 '13 at 15:13
bokan
2791213
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
The answer is no. The printing device will let you know when it can no longer print because of toner. Now to discuss this further: A little knowledge first on how it works. Simple language here. Toner is added to a developer unit which sits real close to the image unit, but the toner does not rub on the drum (imaging unit). An image that you want to print is placed on the drum by usually a laser beam. The drum has a specific charge of electricity and now even different where the image is because of the laser beam. The image is such that it attracts the toner from the developer unit to electrically stick to the image. Just a note here if you run out of toner it wont print anyway.why print an image with no toner? there wont be any image.
Next step is to get the image onto the paper. As the drum rotates in time it meets with the paper to be printed. The paper will pass under the drum so the image will go onto the paper. Under the paper but directly under the drum is another electrical charge unit that is much stronger than that of the toner stuck to the drum. It now is pulled to the paper, and now on the paper. The paper now makes its way to what is called a fuser or fixing assembly (same thing). The fuser now melts the toner and presses it into the fibers of the paper and then your print is done.
The process I explained is a little more involved and has a few methods it can produce the same effect but all the processes have toner a developer unit, a drum, transfer unit and fuser.
Now to answer your question. How can it matter if you are out of toner or not? The toner is not a lubricant for any component and no damage can occur with no toner. You wont get any print on your paper for one thing. The other thing is your printing device knows when it is low and out. The reason is not because it will harm your machine but because if your out of toner why would want to continue printing if blanks comes out? waste of paper. I am a printer/copier technician for about 26 years now. HP, Canon, Kyocera, Brother, Samsung and a few more. They all work the same, Copiers too.
answered Oct 6 '17 at 22:39
yourownfree
1
add a comment |
protected by Community♦ Nov 24 at 6:24
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
Short answer: No.
A laser printer will have a mixture of toner and developer in its developer housing. The physical interaction between the particles of toner and developer are what gives the toner an electrical charge. The polarity of this charge will depend on the development system being used in your specific printer.
The printer will either have a Toner Concentration (TC) sensor, or use an algorithm to determine how much toner is in the housing, and how much to dispense.
In many home and small office printers, when you replace the toner you also replace the developer as well, starting you with a known TC. If you are actually adding toner, only, then the printer will dispense toner to reach the working TC. I suppose it might take longer to tone up if you really ran it down.
In no case would you run into a permanent damage situation.
answered Oct 7 '13 at 19:19
daxlerod
2,18611618
As I bring up. If the printer has the ability to damage itself then it's a poorly made product because a user hit changing the toner can't or won't accept the blame if their printer is damaged beyond repair. The ink will run out well before a low toner will damage the printer itself
– Ramhound
Oct 7 '13 at 19:49
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
Short answer: No.
A laser printer will have a mixture of toner and developer in its developer housing. The physical interaction between the particles of toner and developer are what gives the toner an electrical charge. The polarity of this charge will depend on the development system being used in your specific printer.
The printer will either have a Toner Concentration (TC) sensor, or use an algorithm to determine how much toner is in the housing, and how much to dispense.
In many home and small office printers, when you replace the toner you also replace the developer as well, starting you with a known TC. If you are actually adding toner, only, then the printer will dispense toner to reach the working TC. I suppose it might take longer to tone up if you really ran it down.
In no case would you run into a permanent damage situation.
answered Oct 7 '13 at 19:19
daxlerod
2,18611618
As I bring up. If the printer has the ability to damage itself then it's a poorly made product because a user hit changing the toner can't or won't accept the blame if their printer is damaged beyond repair. The ink will run out well before a low toner will damage the printer itself
– Ramhound
Oct 7 '13 at 19:49
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
Short answer: No.
A laser printer will have a mixture of toner and developer in its developer housing. The physical interaction between the particles of toner and developer are what gives the toner an electrical charge. The polarity of this charge will depend on the development system being used in your specific printer.
The printer will either have a Toner Concentration (TC) sensor, or use an algorithm to determine how much toner is in the housing, and how much to dispense.
In many home and small office printers, when you replace the toner you also replace the developer as well, starting you with a known TC. If you are actually adding toner, only, then the printer will dispense toner to reach the working TC. I suppose it might take longer to tone up if you really ran it down.
In no case would you run into a permanent damage situation.
answered Oct 7 '13 at 19:19
daxlerod
2,18611618
Short answer: No.
A laser printer will have a mixture of toner and developer in its developer housing. The physical interaction between the particles of toner and developer are what gives the toner an electrical charge. The polarity of this charge will depend on the development system being used in your specific printer.
The printer will either have a Toner Concentration (TC) sensor, or use an algorithm to determine how much toner is in the housing, and how much to dispense.
In many home and small office printers, when you replace the toner you also replace the developer as well, starting you with a known TC. If you are actually adding toner, only, then the printer will dispense toner to reach the working TC. I suppose it might take longer to tone up if you really ran it down.
In no case would you run into a permanent damage situation.
answered Oct 7 '13 at 19:19
daxlerod
2,18611618
answered Oct 7 '13 at 19:19
daxlerod
2,18611618
answered Oct 7 '13 at 19:19
daxlerod
2,18611618
answered Oct 7 '13 at 19:19
daxlerod
2,18611618
2,18611618
As I bring up. If the printer has the ability to damage itself then it's a poorly made product because a user hit changing the toner can't or won't accept the blame if their printer is damaged beyond repair. The ink will run out well before a low toner will damage the printer itself
– Ramhound
Oct 7 '13 at 19:49
add a comment |
As I bring up. If the printer has the ability to damage itself then it's a poorly made product because a user hit changing the toner can't or won't accept the blame if their printer is damaged beyond repair. The ink will run out well before a low toner will damage the printer itself
– Ramhound
Oct 7 '13 at 19:49
As I bring up. If the printer has the ability to damage itself then it's a poorly made product because a user hit changing the toner can't or won't accept the blame if their printer is damaged beyond repair. The ink will run out well before a low toner will damage the printer itself
– Ramhound
Oct 7 '13 at 19:49
As I bring up. If the printer has the ability to damage itself then it's a poorly made product because a user hit changing the toner can't or won't accept the blame if their printer is damaged beyond repair. The ink will run out well before a low toner will damage the printer itself
– Ramhound
Oct 7 '13 at 19:49
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
Just look at how the laser printer works. http://computer.howstuffworks.com/laser-printer3.htm A laser beam create an electrical charge on a drum, this charge attract small particles of toner that are then transferred to the paper. Then the paper goes trough the oven that cook the toner to make it stick to paper. I see no reason why no toner can do any damage to the printer. It will just stay blank.
Do not believe printer sellers. They make no money on the printer but only on cartridge. So they will tell you to change them more often than necessary.
answered Oct 7 '13 at 15:13
bokan
2791213
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
Just look at how the laser printer works. http://computer.howstuffworks.com/laser-printer3.htm A laser beam create an electrical charge on a drum, this charge attract small particles of toner that are then transferred to the paper. Then the paper goes trough the oven that cook the toner to make it stick to paper. I see no reason why no toner can do any damage to the printer. It will just stay blank.
Do not believe printer sellers. They make no money on the printer but only on cartridge. So they will tell you to change them more often than necessary.
answered Oct 7 '13 at 15:13
bokan
2791213
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Just look at how the laser printer works. http://computer.howstuffworks.com/laser-printer3.htm A laser beam create an electrical charge on a drum, this charge attract small particles of toner that are then transferred to the paper. Then the paper goes trough the oven that cook the toner to make it stick to paper. I see no reason why no toner can do any damage to the printer. It will just stay blank.
Do not believe printer sellers. They make no money on the printer but only on cartridge. So they will tell you to change them more often than necessary.
answered Oct 7 '13 at 15:13
bokan
2791213
Just look at how the laser printer works. http://computer.howstuffworks.com/laser-printer3.htm A laser beam create an electrical charge on a drum, this charge attract small particles of toner that are then transferred to the paper. Then the paper goes trough the oven that cook the toner to make it stick to paper. I see no reason why no toner can do any damage to the printer. It will just stay blank.
Do not believe printer sellers. They make no money on the printer but only on cartridge. So they will tell you to change them more often than necessary.
answered Oct 7 '13 at 15:13
bokan
2791213
edited Oct 7 '13 at 15:59
answered Oct 7 '13 at 15:13
bokan
2791213
answered Oct 7 '13 at 15:13
bokan
2791213
answered Oct 7 '13 at 15:13
bokan
2791213
2791213
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
The answer is no. The printing device will let you know when it can no longer print because of toner. Now to discuss this further: A little knowledge first on how it works. Simple language here. Toner is added to a developer unit which sits real close to the image unit, but the toner does not rub on the drum (imaging unit). An image that you want to print is placed on the drum by usually a laser beam. The drum has a specific charge of electricity and now even different where the image is because of the laser beam. The image is such that it attracts the toner from the developer unit to electrically stick to the image. Just a note here if you run out of toner it wont print anyway.why print an image with no toner? there wont be any image.
Next step is to get the image onto the paper. As the drum rotates in time it meets with the paper to be printed. The paper will pass under the drum so the image will go onto the paper. Under the paper but directly under the drum is another electrical charge unit that is much stronger than that of the toner stuck to the drum. It now is pulled to the paper, and now on the paper. The paper now makes its way to what is called a fuser or fixing assembly (same thing). The fuser now melts the toner and presses it into the fibers of the paper and then your print is done.
The process I explained is a little more involved and has a few methods it can produce the same effect but all the processes have toner a developer unit, a drum, transfer unit and fuser.
Now to answer your question. How can it matter if you are out of toner or not? The toner is not a lubricant for any component and no damage can occur with no toner. You wont get any print on your paper for one thing. The other thing is your printing device knows when it is low and out. The reason is not because it will harm your machine but because if your out of toner why would want to continue printing if blanks comes out? waste of paper. I am a printer/copier technician for about 26 years now. HP, Canon, Kyocera, Brother, Samsung and a few more. They all work the same, Copiers too.
answered Oct 6 '17 at 22:39
yourownfree
1
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
The answer is no. The printing device will let you know when it can no longer print because of toner. Now to discuss this further: A little knowledge first on how it works. Simple language here. Toner is added to a developer unit which sits real close to the image unit, but the toner does not rub on the drum (imaging unit). An image that you want to print is placed on the drum by usually a laser beam. The drum has a specific charge of electricity and now even different where the image is because of the laser beam. The image is such that it attracts the toner from the developer unit to electrically stick to the image. Just a note here if you run out of toner it wont print anyway.why print an image with no toner? there wont be any image.
Next step is to get the image onto the paper. As the drum rotates in time it meets with the paper to be printed. The paper will pass under the drum so the image will go onto the paper. Under the paper but directly under the drum is another electrical charge unit that is much stronger than that of the toner stuck to the drum. It now is pulled to the paper, and now on the paper. The paper now makes its way to what is called a fuser or fixing assembly (same thing). The fuser now melts the toner and presses it into the fibers of the paper and then your print is done.
The process I explained is a little more involved and has a few methods it can produce the same effect but all the processes have toner a developer unit, a drum, transfer unit and fuser.
Now to answer your question. How can it matter if you are out of toner or not? The toner is not a lubricant for any component and no damage can occur with no toner. You wont get any print on your paper for one thing. The other thing is your printing device knows when it is low and out. The reason is not because it will harm your machine but because if your out of toner why would want to continue printing if blanks comes out? waste of paper. I am a printer/copier technician for about 26 years now. HP, Canon, Kyocera, Brother, Samsung and a few more. They all work the same, Copiers too.
answered Oct 6 '17 at 22:39
yourownfree
1
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
The answer is no. The printing device will let you know when it can no longer print because of toner. Now to discuss this further: A little knowledge first on how it works. Simple language here. Toner is added to a developer unit which sits real close to the image unit, but the toner does not rub on the drum (imaging unit). An image that you want to print is placed on the drum by usually a laser beam. The drum has a specific charge of electricity and now even different where the image is because of the laser beam. The image is such that it attracts the toner from the developer unit to electrically stick to the image. Just a note here if you run out of toner it wont print anyway.why print an image with no toner? there wont be any image.
Next step is to get the image onto the paper. As the drum rotates in time it meets with the paper to be printed. The paper will pass under the drum so the image will go onto the paper. Under the paper but directly under the drum is another electrical charge unit that is much stronger than that of the toner stuck to the drum. It now is pulled to the paper, and now on the paper. The paper now makes its way to what is called a fuser or fixing assembly (same thing). The fuser now melts the toner and presses it into the fibers of the paper and then your print is done.
The process I explained is a little more involved and has a few methods it can produce the same effect but all the processes have toner a developer unit, a drum, transfer unit and fuser.
Now to answer your question. How can it matter if you are out of toner or not? The toner is not a lubricant for any component and no damage can occur with no toner. You wont get any print on your paper for one thing. The other thing is your printing device knows when it is low and out. The reason is not because it will harm your machine but because if your out of toner why would want to continue printing if blanks comes out? waste of paper. I am a printer/copier technician for about 26 years now. HP, Canon, Kyocera, Brother, Samsung and a few more. They all work the same, Copiers too.
answered Oct 6 '17 at 22:39
yourownfree
1
The answer is no. The printing device will let you know when it can no longer print because of toner. Now to discuss this further: A little knowledge first on how it works. Simple language here. Toner is added to a developer unit which sits real close to the image unit, but the toner does not rub on the drum (imaging unit). An image that you want to print is placed on the drum by usually a laser beam. The drum has a specific charge of electricity and now even different where the image is because of the laser beam. The image is such that it attracts the toner from the developer unit to electrically stick to the image. Just a note here if you run out of toner it wont print anyway.why print an image with no toner? there wont be any image.
Next step is to get the image onto the paper. As the drum rotates in time it meets with the paper to be printed. The paper will pass under the drum so the image will go onto the paper. Under the paper but directly under the drum is another electrical charge unit that is much stronger than that of the toner stuck to the drum. It now is pulled to the paper, and now on the paper. The paper now makes its way to what is called a fuser or fixing assembly (same thing). The fuser now melts the toner and presses it into the fibers of the paper and then your print is done.
The process I explained is a little more involved and has a few methods it can produce the same effect but all the processes have toner a developer unit, a drum, transfer unit and fuser.
Now to answer your question. How can it matter if you are out of toner or not? The toner is not a lubricant for any component and no damage can occur with no toner. You wont get any print on your paper for one thing. The other thing is your printing device knows when it is low and out. The reason is not because it will harm your machine but because if your out of toner why would want to continue printing if blanks comes out? waste of paper. I am a printer/copier technician for about 26 years now. HP, Canon, Kyocera, Brother, Samsung and a few more. They all work the same, Copiers too.
answered Oct 6 '17 at 22:39
yourownfree
1
answered Oct 6 '17 at 22:39
yourownfree
1
answered Oct 6 '17 at 22:39
yourownfree
1
answered Oct 6 '17 at 22:39
yourownfree
1
1
add a comment |
add a comment |
protected by Community♦ Nov 24 at 6:24
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?
1
You can safelty assume that if a low toner could damage your laser printer that the printer would stop printing, allowing a user to damage their hardware, only increases the maintance costs for that user, when they make a warranty claim.
– Ramhound
Oct 7 '13 at 15:06
Most modern laser printers will stop working at some point to prevent damage, if the toner is too low. Your question as it stands may be closed though, as it is asking an opinion, and you do not provide your exact printer make and model.
– user3463
Oct 7 '13 at 15:07
@RandolphWest I do ask for specific facts relating to how the toner being low would interact with the drum/fuser. I wouldn't consider that opinion.
– Moses
Oct 7 '13 at 15:10
1
@RandolphWest I removed the last question, as that did sound like a request for opinion.
– Moses
Oct 7 '13 at 15:12
1
You can safely assume that low toner will never cause any damage, but that printer companies may prevent the printer from printing past X number of pages to force you to buy new toner ($$ for them) when there is still useful life left in the toner you have. There is NOTHING that will damage the printer from having no toner in it. I consider the ability to print until the page is nearly white (ie, I change it when it no longer suits ME) to be an important selection criterion for laser printers, having met a few of the other sort, and found them to be irritating ransom-bots.
– Ecnerwal
Oct 7 '13 at 20:12