Ever found yourself in a situation where your Brother MFC-L5850 printer suddenly stopped printing, blamed most likely on a drum unit error? Don't let this common issue disrupt your productivity. Learn how to reset the drum unit in your Brother MFC-L5850 to get your printer back on track in no time.
The Brother MFC-L5850, a popular inkjet all-in-one printer, often throws a C17 error, indicating a drum unit error. This issue can be resolved through a simple reset process. In this guide, we'll walk you through step-by-step instructions, helping you understand the cause of this problem and how to fix it effectively.
Understanding the Brother MFC-L5850 Drum Unit
The drum unit in your MFC-L5850, or Photo Universal Drum as Brother calls it, is a consumable part that prints images and texts. It's assigned a certain printing page limit, and once that limit is reached, it needs to be reset or replaced.
Before we dive into the reset process, let's explore the two types of drum units used in the MFC-L5850:
- Photo Universal Drum: Supports printing on various types of media, including glossy photo paper.
- Standard Universal Drum: Designed for general printing on plain paper and bulk inkjet photo paper.
When to Reset the Drum Unit
If you encounter a C17 error and the printer displays "Error: Drum unit page life is over." or "Drum unit needs to be reset.", it's time to troubleshoot and potentially reset the drum unit.
Resetting the drum unit is recommended when you've switched from one drum type to another, or when you've replaced one drum unit with a new one. Keep in mind that resetting the drum unit doesn't reset the page count back to zero. It merely resets the printer's data associated with the drum unit.
Resetting the Drum Unit
Performing a drum reset involves a few simple steps. Here's a guide to help you through the process:
- Turn off the printer and disconnect the power cord.
- Locate the INSTALL/DOOR button on the front of the printer and lift the scanner to access the drum unit bay.
- Remove the drum unit by gently pushing it towards the printer and lifting it out.
- Wait for about 60 seconds to allow the printer to discharge any remaining static electricity.
- Reinstall the drum unit by aligning the yellow positioning mark on the drum unit with the mark inside the printer and gently sliding it into place.
- Lower the scanner and close the cartridge access door.
- Reconnect the power cord and turn on the printer.
- The printer will initialize, and you should see theecer module ink level confirmation message. If it doesn't and you still encounter issues, try initializing the printer to resolve the problem.
Initializing the printer involves turning it off and then pressing and holding the INPUT and OUTPUT buttons together for about 5 seconds. Then, release the buttons and turn the printer back on.
Using the Brother MFC-L5850 Drum Unit Reset Utility
Brother provides a Drum Unit Reset Utility software for Windows and macOS users that can help you reset the drum unit from the comfort of your desk. This utility saves you the hassle of physically accessing the drum unit and guides you through the process step by step.
To use the Brother MFC-L5850 Drum Unit Reset Utility, follow these steps:
- Download and install the Drum Unit Reset Utility from the official Brother website.
- Connect your printer to the computer using a USB cable.
- Launch the Drum Unit Reset Utility and follow the on-screen instructions to reset the drum unit.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you've followed the instructions and the C17 error persists, there might be other underlying issues causing the problem:
- Drum unit isn't properly seated: Ensure the drum unit is securely in place and aligned correctly. Refer to the printer's user manual for detailed installation instructions.
- Drum unit is faulty or expired: If the drum unit has reached its page limit or is damaged, it might need replacement. Check the page yield indicated on the drum unit packaging or use the Brother MFC-L5850 Printer Status Monitor software to track the drum unit's page count.
- Printer head is clogged: Inkjet printers can suffer from clogged printheads if not used regularly. Perform a printer head cleaning or nozzle check to rule out any clogging issues.
Proper maintenance and responsible use of your Brother MFC-L5850 can help you avoid drum unit errors and ensure consistent, high-quality printing. Keep an eye on your ink and drum unit levels, and don't hesitate to clean your printer head periodically to keep it in top shape.
Now that you're equipped with the knowledge to reset the drum unit in your Brother MFC-L5850, you're all set to tackle that pesky C17 error and get your printing tasks back on track. Happy printing!