Model discontinued. This page is no longer updated.

MFC-4800

FAQs & Troubleshooting

FAQs & Troubleshooting

Why does the LCD of my machine display "CHANGE DRUM SOON"?

The Brother machine has separate consumables the toner cartridge and the drum unit. Verify you replace only the drum unit and not the toner cartridge. If you want to know their difference, refer to "What is the difference between the toner cartridge and the drum unit?"


  • This message would appear if the drum unit is near the end of its life. Use the drum unit until you have a print quality problem, then replace the drum unit with a new one.

  • This message would continue to appear if the clear plastic starter sheet was removed from the "new" drum before it was installed. This plastic starter sheet, resets the drum counter. To reinstall drum with the starter sheet, please follow the instructions listed below:

  1. Locate the starter sheet. Clear plastic sheet, 9 inches long, with a cut out in the center. The sheet will have "Initialization of your new drum successfully completed. Please discard this sheet" written on it.

    If you cannot locate the starter sheet, contact the Brother Customer Service or the appropriate Brother authorized dealer.
  1. For the models with ADF (Automatic Document Feeder):
    Open the scanner cover by pulling the lever located below the control panel toward you and lifting the cover. Remove the drum. Place the drum unit on a drop cloth or large piece of disposable paper to avoid spilling and scattering the toner.

    For the models with the Flat bed:
    Open the front cover and remove the drum. Place the drum unit on a drop cloth or large piece of disposable paper to avoid spilling and scattering the toner.

  2. With the drum facing you place the starter sheet in the drum, under the area with the blue sticker. The flat side of the sheet goes into the drum. With you finger, pull the starter sheet into the drum by rolling the black and white wheels located on the left side of the drum (underside) in the front. Continue pulling the sheet into the drum until only the "jagged" edge of the starter sheet is even with the "fringe" on the drum.

  3. Reinstall drum into the unit.

  4. Close the scanner cover/ the front cover.

  5. The machine should eject the starter sheet automatically.

If your question was not answered, have you checked other FAQs?

Have you checked the manuals?

If you need further assistance, please contact Brother customer service:

Related Models

FAX-2850, MFC-4800, MFC-9160, MFC-9180

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