In Zhono’s latest article, the company is offering a solution to the prompt “Cartridge almost empty” in various Ricoh devices.
Background
Case #1: One of Zhono’s customers reported that the prompts [Magenta toner cartridge is almost empty.] and [Ready to change.] display while inserting a new compatible magenta toner cartridge into the Ricoh 3503 series copier (see Figure 1). Despite these prompts, the printer will print properly. Customer wrongly assumes this error is due to a chip quality issue.
Case #2: One of Zhono’s customers reported that when the prompt [Toner low] displays and a new compatible magenta toner cartridge is inserted into the Ricoh 2503 series copier, the prompt does not clear (see Figure 2).
The customer removes the cartridge and shakes it, and then inserts it back into the copier. The prompt [Magenta toner cartridge is almost empty.] displays, and the prompt [Replace the toner cartridge.] shows in the status page (see Figure 3). The printer continues to print properly.
Why do these prompts display when customers insert new compatible cartridges into the copier? Here’s the reason, Zhono explains:
The reason for the issues in these two cases is actually the same. Zhono’s engineers discovered that both customers are using low-capacity toner cartridges with approximately 70g of toner capacity. As a result, the corresponding chip capacities are also low: K-285g, C-67g, M-75g, Y-72g.
Why does the prompt [Cartridge is almost empty.] occur?
Normally, replacing the cartridge when the prompt shows, the copier will refill the toner pump and the developer with 20g to 30g of toner from the toner cartridge to ensure the printer prints properly.
When customers use low-capacity cartridges with about 70g of toner capacity, there will be 40g to 50g of toner left in the cartridge after the copier refills the toner pump and the developer. Meanwhile, the initial low threshold set by Ricoh copiers is 45g (see Figure 5), and when the remaining toner is lower than 45g (see Figure 6), the prompt [Cartridge is almost empty.] displays.
Solution
If you are engaged in a business related to Ricoh copiers and use low-capacity toner cartridges, you might be interested in how to avoid such prompts. We suggest entering the maintenance mode of the copier and modifying the low threshold number from the initial 45g to 10g or lower. Instructions are provided in the video below.
