DISCONTINUED – DO NOT RESHIP

8-20-2013

 

INK TANK – The print heads are NOT integrated, do NOT perform the paper towel method.

These are compatible cartridges; there will be appearance differences from the OEM cartridges.  These differences will not affect the function of the cartridges.

These are universal cartridges that are compatible as either the LC21 or LC31.

 

Not Recognizing

 

Verify you have the correct cartridges for your specific printer model.

 

These cartridges do not use smart chips.  Instead, the printer has an optical sensor that looks into the cartridge to see if ink is present.  Gently rock the cartridge to redistribute the ink inside the cartridge, be sure to cover the vent hole and nozzle with a paper towel to prevent ink leakage.  Sometimes, air bubbles can cause false readings and rolling the cartridge will help remove them.

 

Be sure that the correct color is being installed into the correct color slot.  Also, check to make sure the cartridge is fully seated and snapped into place.

 

To remove and install the cartridges in a Brother MFC-5100C printer do the following;

 

NOTE:  Other Brother printers that use the LC21 cartridges is a similar process.  For exact instructions on other Brother printer models you can view their User’s Guides on Brother’s website.

–          Press Ink.

–          Press 2 to choose 2. Replace Ink

–          Pull the scanner release lever and lift the scanner cover.

–          Press the appropriate colored ink cartridge cover to open it, and the remove the ink cartridge.

 

–          Each color has its own correct position.  Insert the new ink cartridge into its correct color slot and then close the ink cartridge cover by pressing down until it clicks.

–          After installing the ink cartridge(s), close the scanner cover.  The printer will prepare for a head cleaning.  On the LCD screen the printer will prompt you to verify a new cartridge was inserted for each color you removed.

–          For each new cartridge installed, press 1 to reset the ink dot counter for that color.

–          The printer will automatically go into a head cleaning which will take around 3 minutes.

 

Print Quality Issues

 

There is a foil piece of tape on the bottom of the cartridge which must be removed prior to installation.  This opens a vent hole to help allow the ink to leave the cartridge properly as well as opens the ink nozzle.

 

For any print quality related issue a print head cleaning should be performed.  Try to determine which color the defect is occurring in.  Print a test page and see if the problem is only occurring with one color or if it is occurring across all the colors.  To perform a print head cleaning on a MFC-5100C printer do the following;

–          Press Ink

–          Press 1 to choose 1. Cleaning

–          Press the up and down arrows to choose the color you want to clean, and then press Menu/Set

 

For print head cleaning instructions on other Brother printers that use the LC21 cartridges the User’s Guides are available on Brother’s website.

A cleaning may need to be performed twice to completely resolve a print quality issue.  If the second cleaning does not resolve the issue, try running a third cleaning and allow the printer to sit for 10-15 minutes before attempting to print to allow the ink to soak on the print head.

Remove the cartridge and cover the vent hole and nozzle with a paper towel.  Gently shake the cartridge.

Visually check the slot in the printer to make sure there is no debris present.

 

Not Fitting

 

Verify you have the correct cartridge for your specific printer model.  Check to make sure the correct color is being installed into the correct slot.  Make sure you are installing the cartridge in the correct orientation, flip the cartridge around and try it again.