How to change a printer ink cartridge

Replacing your ink cartridges is one of those tasks that you may put off because it seems like it could be complicated or time-consuming, but the reality is simple with Brother “At your side”. This process is not only straightforward, but a vital part of owning a printer if you want to maintain optimal print quality for the life of your machine – preventing clogs and ensuring your prints remain clear and crisp.

Let’s take a closer look at the simple steps to replacing an ink cartridge in your Brother printer, exploring why when it comes to quality ink, it pays to shop genuine for the best results.

How to know when to change an ink cartridge

There are a few key signs that suggest that your ink cartridge is ready to be replaced, ranging from your equipment notifying you to the signs appearing in your physical printouts. Here’s what to look out for:

• Printer notifications: Most Brother printers come with a feature that displays a low ink warning on the screen. Not only is this easy to spot on your machine, but you’ll also receive a notification via your printing software too – so the chances of missing the signs are low.

• Ink level checks: To check the ink levels in your Brother printer, navigate to the printer's control panel, then select "Ink" or "Ink Management" and choose "Ink Volume" to view the estimated ink levels for each colour. With some models, you can access the ink level information on the display itself.

• Print quality issues: When your ink cartridge is ready to be replaced, you may begin to notice that you are seeing faded prints, streaks in the ink or missing colours in your printouts. So if the quality begins to dip, it’s time to replace the ink in your Brother printer.

Before changing your cartridge: how to prepare

Before fitting a cartridge to your Brother printer, follow these quick steps:

• Turn on the printer and open the ink cartridge cover – this is usually on the right-hand side of the printer.
• Check the cartridge type and confirm it matches the replacement ink.
• Have a cloth or paper towel ready to catch spills. Genuine Brother cartridges shouldn’t spill, but it’s good to have protection, just in case.
• Do not power off the printer before or during replacement to avoid damage.

How to change printer ink: the step-by-step guide

1. With your printer turned on and the cartridge cover open, check your printer display to see which of the four colours (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) has run out. Each cartridge has a small lever at the top.
2. Click the lever to remove the old cartridge.
3. If you’re installing cartridges for the first time, your printer may also have a green or orange protective part in the cartridge slot, which should be taken out and put to one side, but not discarded (you may need it if you wish to transport your printer or put it in storage in the future).
4. New cartridges sometimes have a plastic dial, which needs to be turned until it clicks, and a protective covering, which you should remove. This is often done by swivelling a lever and gently pulling it clear.
5. Once you have done this, install the new ink cartridge into its appropriate, colour-coded slot in the direction indicated by the arrow on the label.
6. Gently insert the cartridge until it clicks into place. Do this for as many cartridges as need replacing.
7. Close the front cover panel.
8. Your printer will now take a few minutes to prepare its ink tube system for printing. Keep your printer turned on during this period.

You’re all done! Remember, if any ink leaks from the cartridge  gets on your hands at any point, wash them immediately and avoid contact with your eyes. It’s important to avoid mishandling ink cartridges to prevent leakage. Spillages are more likely in compatible cartridges from other brands, which is one of the reasons we always recommend buying Brother Genuine Supplies for the highest quality and best performance.

Troubleshooting common issues

While replacing ink in a Brother printer is straightforward, sometimes small issues can occur that prevent the new cartridge from working properly. Here are some top tips for overcoming these issues:

• Clean the contacts: Use a lint-free cloth to gently clean cartridge contacts and ensure there’s no debris.

• Remove protective strips: Remove any protective strips from the cartridge.

• Reinstall cartridge: Try removing and reinserting the cartridge, making sure it clicks into place properly.

• Run a cleaning cycle: Running your printer’s cleaning cycle that can help unclog the printhead.

• Check for compatibility: Make sure your new cartridge is compatible with your printer model.

• Inspect any damage: Check the cartridge for any physical damage that might be causing problems.

How to recycle used ink cartridges

Remember, old cartridges should never be binned and can be remanufactured and reused to minimise the impact on the environment.

Brother operates a quick, easy and free return and remanufacture programme for our genuine ink and toner cartridges, where we remanufacture every part of your used inkjet cartridge at our dedicated facility. At the end of the process, each cartridge returns to good-as-new condition, ready to be reused.

By sending your used cartridges back to us to be remanufactured, you're protecting the environment and contributing to a sustainable circular economy.

You can learn more about our remanufacturing programme here.

Why use Brother genuine ink cartridges?

Now we’ve explored how to replace a Brother ink cartridge, we hope you’ll see how simple it is to keep on top of changing your ink and ensuring your printouts remain clear and crisp. But remember, not all cartridges are created equal, and your Brother printer needs the best consumables to produce the best results.

Unlike third-party alternatives or counterfeit cartridges, Brother Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) ink cartridges balance reliability, safety, quality and sustainability to ensure flawless results, all while protecting you and your printer for the long haul.

And to bring even more ease to keep on top of changing your cartridges, we offer a number of printer ink subscription services to bring genuine OEM cartridges right to you. A Brother managed print service is a complete print solution for businesses, while Brother EcoPro is for home users. Both include automatic ink or toner delivery before you run out – so all you have to do is change the cartridges.

Explore your options today, or shop for genuine print supplies here. Remember, we’re always “At your side” to help.