# Laser Printer Spotting - Toner or Drum **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 24, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laser-printer-spotting-toner-or-drum/497475 "2009-05-24T17:46:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laser-printer-spotting-toner-or-drum/497475/1 "2009-05-24T17:46:25Z")
I’ve got a Brother HL-5280DW printer that I’ve been really happy with. Probably not even a year. However the last week or so, I find that I’m getting spotting/splotching on my documents. It’s very consistent, several on every page (some larger, some smaller, but three or four per page). I’ve cleaned the hell out of the thing, including using an air compressor, and no luck. Here’s what I’m wondering - is my problem likely the toner (compatible, not official Brother, yes) or is it the drum kit? If it’s the toner cartridge, fine, I’m out $30 for a low-cap cartridge and I’ll just get a new one. If it’s the drum, well, for $50 more I can get a brand new printer. What do the symptoms sound like? -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laser-printer-spotting-toner-or-drum/497475/2 "2009-05-24T19:18:18Z")
This is easily checked: measure the distance between the splotches and compare that with the circumference of the various rollers. There are two main rollers: there’s the developer which in black & white printers is often integral to the toner cartridge and has a usual lifespan of 10K or so copies, and then there’s the fuser roller which is usually to the back of the printer and has a usual lifespan of 50K copies. Equally, you can visually check the developer roller in the toner cartridge. Be careful not to touch the green surface of the roller: it’s soft and marks easily. You can rotate the roller using the ends. ---
**Author:** ![HorseloverFat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e8cbc/32.png) [@HorseloverFat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HorseloverFat)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laser-printer-spotting-toner-or-drum/497475/3 "2009-05-25T05:29:07Z")
Is this reconditioned toner? I noticed this happening a lot with places like catridgeworld. For whatever reason the little drum in the toner would develop a small dent and toner would collect in there, making little dots on all the print outs. The spacing between spots was consistent. You can view the little drum in the toner and roll the gear on the outside to make it spin. FWIW the imaging unit and fuser were fine. We just had to stop buying cheap refurbed toner. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laser-printer-spotting-toner-or-drum/497475/4 "2009-05-25T16:10:56Z")
> [@HorseloverFat](#): > > Is this reconditioned toner? I noticed this happening a lot with places like catridgeworld. For whatever reason the little drum in the toner would develop a small dent and toner would collect in there, making little dots on all the print outs. The spacing between spots was consistent. You can view the little drum in the toner and roll the gear on the outside to make it spin. FWIW the imaging unit and fuser were fine. We just had to stop buying cheap refurbed toner. Well, I went out and got bent over on full-priced toner, and that took care of the problem after I ran a few black print jobs through it. So, cartridge. -Joe