The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M553 is a popular printer series for its quality output and impressive speed, be it regular printing or duplex. Ideal for any office or business, the M553 can print up to 40 pages per minute in both color and black and white. Plus, it supports a wide range of media types, including cardstock, labels, and envelopes. And with HP ePrint, you can even print from your smartphone or tablet. But like any other printer, what can it do without toner?
Replacement toner cartridges are available to keep your printer going but looking at original manufacturer prices, aren’t they a bit too pricey? A compatible toner cartridge is much more affordable and is no different than an original! One HP 508A cartridge costs at least $200 for black cartridges and $300 for colored ones, and with four cartridges to replace, you have to spend up to one grand! Of course, you may not need to replace everything all at once but the expenses build up nonetheless. Though, no matter how attractive a compatible cartridge may be, some issues could still occur with your HP M553.
Choosing the right toner cartridge.
One of the most common mistakes is not getting the right toner cartridges for your printer. A printer may share cartridges with other models from the same brand series, but not all cartridges will work with all printers. Some cartridges may also "fit" but are still incompatible with the printer. Incompatible toner cartridges will not work with your printer and can even cause damage, so it's very important to choose your cartridges correctly.
The HP Enterprise M553 printer uses the HP 508A and 508X toner cartridges, with the latter giving higher yields than the former but is also more expensive. These cartridges are also compatible with other HP printers in the M552 and M577 series. You can find a wide variety of listings for 508A and 508X compatible toner cartridges. Not all compatible toner cartridges are created equal either. Some cartridges may match or exceed the OEM cartridges while some may underperform. So, how can you know which ones can you trust?
Before you order, always check the reviews of the items from the shop. A good way to see if it’s a reliable source is through reviews. If most of them are positive and talk about how the toner cartridges work well with their HP M553, then that’s a good sign. Checking for user experiences is always a good idea before making a purchase, especially for something as crucial as printer cartridges.
Toner leaking when pulling out the plastic
After installing the new toner cartridges, some users reported that ink or toner was leaking from the cartridge after pulling out the plastic seal. If this happens, do not panic and try to clean up the mess as best as you can. Use isopropyl alcohol and lint-free cloth to clean the cartridge and let it dry. Once the area is clean, check the cartridge for any leaks. If there are no visible leaks, then the toner should be fine. However, if there is still toner leaking from the cartridge, then you will need to replace it with a new one. Always place the cartridge on an even surface before pulling out the plastic so that toner powder does not get in the way.
After installation, if you see that the ink or toner is spilling out of the sides of the cartridge, it means that the cartridge is not properly seated in the printer. To fix this, you will need to remove the cartridge and then put it back in, making sure that it is properly seated this time. Once the cartridge is properly installed, the toner should no longer leak out. Proper installation of the toner cartridges will also help prevent a grinding noise in your printer which could potentially cause damage if left unchecked.
The printer says "Non-HP Cartridge"
This is a common error that occurs when you use compatible or refilled cartridges with your HP printer. The message will appear on the printer's display screen and will prevent you from printing. To fix this, you need to perform a hard reset on your printer. This can be done by unplugging the power cord from the printer for 30 seconds and then plugging it back in. Once the printer has restarted, try printing again and see if the error message appears.
HP also has a cartridge policy that blocks the use of aftermarket toner cartridges, giving you printer errors. To disable this, follow the steps below:
1. Go to the Home screen on the printer control panel.
2. Go to Setup > System Setup > Supply Settings > Cartridge Policy.
3. Select Off.
4. Restart the printer to save the settings.
Now you should be able to use your compatible or refilled toner cartridges without any errors.
Streaks and vertical lines on the page
If you see streaks or vertical lines on the page, check if the cartridges are properly seated in their spots. Otherwise, excess toner may be lying on the printer path, producing dirty pages. To prevent this, maintaining your printer is important. Cleaning the printer as you switch cartridges is also a good practice. One of the things you can do is print out a cleaning page to let the printer clean itself.
1. Go to the Home screen on the printer control panel.
2. Go to Calibration/Cleaning > Cleaning Page.
3. Press OK.
4. The printer will print the cleaning page. Discard the page and repeat steps 1-3 as necessary.
You might also want to check your printer rollers as toner powder can get on them during printing. Dirt could be stuck on the roller's surface so it is best to clean them when you can. Avoid touching the roller's surface with your bare hands because oils from your skin could damage them as well.
Cleaning Tray 1
1. Open the paper tray on the side of the printer.
2. Open the roller cover by sliding it down, then pull it out.
3. Release the tabs between the collar and the roller and rotate the roller down. 4. Try not to touch the roller surface directly with your fingers.
5. Pull out the roller.
6. Raise the tray upwards into the printer.
7. Take the corners of the separation roller and rotate it downwards to remove it.
8. Release one tab and pull the roller away from the holder.
9. Use a damp, lint-free cloth and gently clean the rollers.
10. Reinstall the rollers in the printer.
Cleaning Tray 2
1. Pull out the tray at the bottom of the printer.
2. Open the panel at the right of the printer.
3. Raise the transfer roller assembly up and into the printer.
4. Release the green tab and roll down the paper guide.
5. Locate the roller assembly and slide it to the left to take out the roller.
6. Locate the separation roller assembly on the tray and pull it out.
7. Use a damp, lint-free cloth and gently clean the rollers.
8. Reinstall the rollers and reassemble the printer.
Clean your printer whenever you switch out cartridges as excess toner may fall out from the cartridges or during printing, hindering your printer experience in the future. Toner build-up in the wrong places can also damage your printer.
Final thoughts
Using compatible or refilled toner cartridges with your HP printer does not have to be a stressful experience. By following the tips above, you can avoid any common mistakes and ensure that your printer continues to work smoothly. Laser Tek Services is always ready to offer the best value for your money with 508A and 508X compatible cartridges for your HP M553 printer. You shouldn't have to spend excessively to print! Our cartridges can help students, offices, and small businesses save more while also printing more. With a 100% satisfaction guarantee, you'll be sure to get the best deals!
