- Printers
- Laser printer
add-toner
Ricoh Add toner on laser printer: empty print cartridge
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
The message 'Add toner. Replace Toner Cartridge.' (or 'Add toner Replace Toner Cartridge.') on Ricoh laser printers and MFPs means the toner has run out and the print cartridge must be replaced with the power on. If plenty of toner remains, pull the cartridge out and reinstall it.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not incinerate toner (new or used) or toner containers or store them near naked flames, as toner ignites on contact with flame; never use a standard vacuum cleaner on spilled toner due to the risk of fire or explosion.
- Store new and used toner containers out of reach of children; if toner is inhaled, gargle with plenty of water and move to fresh air, if it gets into your eyes flush immediately with large amounts of water, and if swallowed dilute by drinking plenty of water and consult a doctor.
Safe checks you can perform
- Pull out and reinstall the cartridge if the message appears while plenty of toner remains
- Replace the empty print cartridge with a recommended unit while keeping the power on
- Wipe up any spilled toner slowly with a wet cloth without using a vacuum cleaner
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Inspect the print cartridge seating mechanism and toner supply sensor
- Do not attempt this professional task: Check the drum unit interface and internal toner feed contacts
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Inspect the print cartridge seating mechanism and toner supply sensor
What they doWhen 'Add toner. Replace Toner Cartridge.' or 'Set the Toner Cartridge correctly.' continues to appear after installing a new recommended print cartridge, an authorized technician inspects the cartridge sensor and drive coupling.
They must show youthe seating of the print cartridge, the toner supply sensor reading, and a clean test page printed without supply alerts.
In writingthe exact panel message, the diagnostic checks performed on the print cartridge bay, and any parts adjusted or replaced.
Check the drum unit interface and internal toner feed contacts
What they doIf a brand-new print cartridge fails to clear the empty-toner state or triggers repeated supply errors, an authorized technician inspects the internal contacts and drum unit interface.
They must show youthe condition of the internal cartridge guides and contacts and confirmation that the machine recognizes full toner capacity.
In writingthe service inspection report for the consumable interface and verification of normal printing operation.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Pull out and reinstall the cartridge if the message appears while plenty of toner remains
- Who:
- you, with the printer powered on when 'Add toner. Replace Toner Cartridge.' appears even though plenty of toner remains.
- How:
- keep the main power switched on so settings are not lost, and follow the on-screen replacement instructions: open the front cover, pull out the print cartridge without shaking it with its mouth down, slide it back in until it stops, and close the front cover.
- Result that matters:
- refreshing the cartridge detection when plenty of toner remains inside without losing printer settings.
- If the alert clears after reinstalling the cartridge:
- resume printing and keep a replacement cartridge handy.
- If the cartridge has genuinely run out after the earlier 'Toner is almost empty.' notice:
- proceed to step 2 to install a replacement.
- Evidence to keep:
- display message before and after pulling out and reinstalling the print cartridge.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Replacing the Print Cartridge · Ricoh SP 3600SF/SP 3610SF Operating Instructions - Adding Toner
Replace the empty print cartridge with a recommended unit while keeping the power on
- Who:
- you, with the machine powered on and a recommended replacement print cartridge stored flat below 35 °C (95 °F).
- How:
- follow the instructions on the toner package and screen: remove the spent cartridge without shaking it mouth-down, place the used consumable into a bag so toner does not splatter, insert the new print cartridge until it stops, and close the front cover; on an SP 3600SF/SP 3610SF MFP, if you need to send a fax or scan before replacing toner, switch to facsimile or scanner mode and press [Exit].
- Result that matters:
- clearing the 'Add toner. Replace Toner Cartridge.' message and resuming queued print jobs.
- If 'Set the Toner Cartridge correctly.' appears after installation:
- turn the printer off, reinstall the print cartridge until it stops, and turn it back on.
- If the add-toner message remains with a new recommended cartridge:
- check for spilled toner and proceed to step 3.
- Evidence to keep:
- replacement print cartridge model and page counter reading.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Alert Messages · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Replacing the Print Cartridge · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Print Cartridge · Ricoh SP 3600SF/SP 3610SF Operating Instructions - Sending Faxes or Scanned Documents When Toner Has Run Out
Wipe up any spilled toner slowly with a wet cloth without using a vacuum cleaner
- Who:
- you, if any residual toner spilled onto the floor or around the cartridge opening during replacement.
- How:
- remove spilled toner slowly using a wet cloth so that the powder is not scattered into the air, and seal the used cartridge in a bag for return through the manufacturer's Print Cartridge Recycling Program.
- Result that matters:
- collecting all spilled toner safely without scattering dust or risking electrical ignition.
- If toner gets on clothing or skin:
- wash stained fabric with cold water (hot water sets toner permanently) and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.
- If the 'Add toner' alert persists after installing a new recommended cartridge:
- contact your sales or service representative.
- Evidence to keep:
- condition of the cartridge bay and current panel status message.
Do not vacuum spilled toner with a conventional vacuum cleaner due to fire and explosion risk from electrical contact flickering inside the cleaner; wipe slowly with a wet cloth.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Replacing the Print Cartridge · Ricoh SP 3600SF/SP 3610SF Operating Instructions - Adding Toner
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Printers
- Brand
- Ricoh
- Product type
- Laser printer
Known code variants
- Add toner
- Add toner Replace Toner Cartridge.
- Add toner. Replace Toner Cartridge.
- Añada tóner
- Añada tóner. Cambie el cartucho de tóner.
- Añada tóner. Sust. cartucho tóner.
- Añadir tóner Sust. cartucho tóner.
- El tóner está casi vacío.
- Kyocera Add toner
- Kyocera cambiar cartucho de tóner
- Kyocera ECOSYS Add toner
- Kyocera ECOSYS Sustituir tóner
- Kyocera out of toner
- Kyocera Poco tóner
- Kyocera Replace toner
- Kyocera replace toner container
- Kyocera sin tóner
- Kyocera Sustituir tóner
- Kyocera Toner is running out
- Tóner casi agotado.
- Toner is almost empty.
What it means
In the Ricoh SP 3600DN and SP 3600SF/SP 3610SF Operating Instructions, the alert 'Add toner. Replace Toner Cartridge.' (or 'Add toner Replace Toner Cartridge.') indicates that the toner has run out and halts printing until the print cartridge is replaced, following the earlier warning 'Toner is almost empty.' (after which about 700 pages can still be printed). On SP 3600SF/SP 3610SF multifunction machines, you can still send faxes or scanned documents by pressing [Exit], provided the number of unprinted Journal communications after toner depletion does not exceed 100. Other models from the brand may use different supply formats, and the code alone never proves a part is faulty.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Highsource verified
Do not incinerate toner (new or used) or toner containers or store them near naked flames, as toner ignites on contact with flame; never use a standard vacuum cleaner on spilled toner due to the risk of fire or explosion.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Replacing the Print Cartridge · Ricoh SP 3600SF/SP 3610SF Operating Instructions - Adding Toner
- Mediumsource verified
Store new and used toner containers out of reach of children; if toner is inhaled, gargle with plenty of water and move to fresh air, if it gets into your eyes flush immediately with large amounts of water, and if swallowed dilute by drinking plenty of water and consult a doctor.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Replacing the Print Cartridge · Ricoh SP 3600SF/SP 3610SF Operating Instructions - Adding Toner
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Normal depletion of the print cartridge toner supplyCommon
The starter print cartridge supplied with the machine yields about 1,500 pages, while replacement black cartridges yield 3,000 pages (low yield) or 6,000 pages under ISO/IEC 19752; once the roughly 700 pages remaining after 'Toner is almost empty.' are used, printing stops.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Alert Messages · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Replacing the Print Cartridge · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Print Cartridge
- Alert triggered while plenty of toner remains or improperly seated cartridgePossible
The manual notes that the add-toner indicator can appear even when there is still a lot of toner in the cartridge, or 'Set the Toner Cartridge correctly.' may appear if the print cartridge is not pushed in all the way.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Alert Messages · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Replacing the Print Cartridge · Ricoh SP 3600SF/SP 3610SF Operating Instructions - Adding Toner
- Non-recommended toner or premature deterioration from improper storagePossible
Using toner other than the recommended type (which may trigger 'Independent-supply toner') or storing cartridges in direct sunlight, above 35 °C (95 °F), in high humidity, or on an uneven surface causes supply errors or early depletion.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Alert Messages · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Replacing the Print Cartridge · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Print Cartridge
- Faulty toner detection sensor or internal cartridge drive mechanismLess common
If 'Add toner. Replace Toner Cartridge.' stays on the display after installing and seating a brand-new recommended print cartridge, the supply detection or toner drive assembly requires service from an authorized technician.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Alert Messages · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Replacing the Print Cartridge
Virtual technician
Does add-toner still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Alert Messages
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 2
Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Mensajes de alerta
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 3
Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Replacing the Print Cartridge
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 4
Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Sustitución del cartucho de impresión
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 5
Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Print Cartridge
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 6
Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Cartucho de impresión
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 7
Ricoh SP 3600SF/SP 3610SF Operating Instructions - Adding Toner
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 8
Ricoh SP 3600SF/SP 3610SF Instrucciones de uso - Añadir tóner
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 9
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 10
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
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