How to Reset a Brother DR420 Drum Unit

If your Brother printer continues to display Replace Drum, Drum End Soon, or a similar drum-life message after installing a new DR420 drum unit, the drum counter may not have been reset correctly.

This guide explains how to manually reset the drum counter on Brother printers that use the DR420 drum unit.

Compatible Brother Printers:
Brother DCP-7060D, DCP-7065DN; HL-2130, HL-2220, HL-2230, HL-2240, HL-2240D, HL-2270DW, HL-2280DW; IntelliFax-2840, IntelliFax-2940; MFC-7240, MFC-7360N, MFC-7460DN, MFC-7860DW

Before You Reset the Drum

• Install a new DR420 drum unit.
• Transfer the toner cartridge into the replacement drum unit.
• Make sure the toner cartridge is properly locked into the drum unit.
• Reinstall the drum and toner assembly into the printer.
• Make sure the printer is turned on.
• Open the front cover before beginning the reset procedure.

Note: Reset the drum counter only when replacing the drum unit. Resetting the counter while continuing to use the existing drum will cause the remaining drum-life information to be inaccurate.

Drum Reset Instructions

HL Series Models
(HL-2220, HL-2230, HL-2240, HL-2240D, HL-2270DW, HL-2275DW, HL-2280DW)

1. Turn the printer on.
2. Open the front cover.
3. Press and hold the Go button for approximately 4 seconds.
4. Continue holding the Go button until all four LEDs illuminate.
5. Release the Go button.
6. Close the front cover.
7. Confirm that the Drum LED is no longer illuminated.

The drum counter should now be reset.

DCP Series Model
(DCP-7060D, DCP-7065DN)

1. Turn the machine on.
2. Open the front cover.
3. Install the new DR420 drum and toner assembly.
4. Press the Clear or Clear/Back button.
5. If the machine has a numeric keypad, press 1 to confirm the new drum.
6. If the machine does not have a numeric keypad, press the ? Up Arrow.
7. Wait for the LCD to display Accepted.
8. Close the front cover.

The drum counter should now be reset.

IntelliFax Series Models
(IntelliFax-2840, IntelliFax-2940)

1. Turn the machine on.
2. Open the front cover.
3. Install the new DR420 drum and toner assembly.
4. Press the Clear or Clear/Back button.
5. Press 1 to confirm that a new drum has been installed.
6. Wait for the LCD to display Accepted.
7. Close the front cover.

The drum counter should now be reset.

MFC Series Models
(MFC-7240, MFC-7360N, MFC-7365DN, MFC-7460DN, MFC-7860DW)

1. Turn the machine on.
2. Open the front cover.
3. Install the new DR420 drum and toner assembly.
4. Press the Clear or Clear/Back button.
5. If the machine has a numeric keypad, press 1 to reset the drum counter.
6. If the machine does not have a numeric keypad, press the ? Up Arrow.
7. Wait for the LCD to display Accepted.
8. Close the front cover.

The drum counter should now be reset.

Common Error Messages

A drum reset may be required if your Brother printer displays any of the following messages after installing a replacement drum:

• Replace Drum
• Drum End Soon
• Drum Near End
• Drum Stop
• Drum LED remains illuminated
• Drum LED continues flashing

Brother specifically identifies Replace Drum, Drum End Soon, Drum Near End, and Drum Stop as messages associated with the drum counter on this printer family.

Troubleshooting

If the drum message remains after completing the reset:

• Verify that the replacement drum is compatible with your Brother machine.
• Remove and reinstall the drum and toner assembly.
• Confirm that the toner cartridge is fully locked into the drum unit.
• Make sure the drum and toner assembly is properly installed.
• Verify that the front cover is completely closed. • Repeat the appropriate drum reset procedure.
• Make sure you are using the reset procedure for your specific printer model.
• If available, test with another DR420 drum unit.

If the machine displays a drum-related error:

A Drum Error message can indicate that the corona wire inside the drum unit needs cleaning.

1. Open the front cover and remove the drum and toner assembly.
2. Gently slide the green corona-wire cleaning tab from side to side several times.
3. Return the green tab to its home position.
4. Reinstall the drum and toner assembly.
5. Close the front cover.

Brother notes that the green tab must be returned to its home position.

If the Drum Error continues after cleaning, Brother recommends replacing the DR420 drum unit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Brother DR420?

The DR420 is a separate drum unit used in a number of Brother monochrome laser printers, fax machines, and multifunction machines. Brother specifies an approximate yield of 12,000 pages.

Is the DR420 the same as the TN420 or TN450 toner cartridge?

No. The DR420 is the drum unit, while TN420 and TN450 are toner cartridges used with this printer family. The toner cartridge installs into the DR420 drum unit.

Do I need to reset the drum after replacing the toner cartridge?

No. The drum counter should be reset when you install a new drum unit. Replacing only the toner cartridge does not require a drum reset.

Can I reset the DR420 drum counter without replacing the drum?

The reset procedure may allow the counter to be reset, but Brother specifically instructs users to reset the counter only when replacing the drum unit. Resetting a used drum can cause the remaining drum-life information to become inaccurate.

How long does a DR420 drum last?

Brother's approximate yield for the DR420 is 12,000 pages. Actual drum life can vary depending on factors such as temperature, humidity, paper type, toner usage, and printing patterns.

Why does my Brother still say "Replace Drum" after I installed a new DR420?

The most common reason is that the drum counter was not reset after installing the replacement drum. Brother specifically states that these messages can continue when the drum counter has not been reset.