photosensitive drum

The photoreceptor drum (or, in some photocopiers, belt) is the heart of the system. A drum is basically a metal roller covered by a layer of photoconductive material. In the dark, the photoconductive layer on the drum acts as an insulator, resisting the flow of electrons from one atom to another.

Along with the toner and roller, the imaging drum helps finalize the ink-to-paper process, receiving the image or text and then transferring it to paper. Otherwise known as a drum unit or photoreceptor assembly, it works much like the corresponding part in your office’s photocopiers.

An image drum is a vital part of a laser printer that is responsible for transferring the toner and image or text to paper. It has several different names, it’s also called the imaging unit, drum unit or photoreceptor drum.

Like laser printer toner cartridges, imaging drums too need to be replaced periodically because the coating on the imaging drum can lose photoelectric properties over time. Using inferior quality paper can leave residues on the drum – an unclean or worn out imaging drum can significantly compromise print quality.

In short, the toner cartridge is a container that contains the toner powder, whereas the drum unit is an electrically charged cylinder that transfers the powder onto paper.

You can use a clean, lint-free cloth instead, but a toner cloth is ideal. Wipe down the exterior of the drum to remove loose toner.

Separate drum units last quite a bit longer than a toner cartridge and typically should be replaced after the use of 3-4 toners. Your printer should inform you when it’s time to replace the drum, but you can usually tell your drum is on it’s last legs if you start to see black spots or lines across the page.

If you reset the drum counter during the life of the drum unit currently being used, the remaining drum life will not be displayed accurately.

1. Make sure that the machine is turned on.
2. Open the front cover.
3. Press and hold OK for 2 seconds.
4. Press the Up arrow key or 1 to reset the drum counter.
5. Close the front cover.

Reset the drum counter

1. Make sure the machine is turned on.
2. Open the front cover.
3. Press and hold OK for about two seconds to display Drum Unit, and then press OK.
4. Press the Up arrow key to reset the drum counter.
5. Close the front cover of the machine.