The drum (imaging drum or photoconductor) is the part of a laser printer that receives the image and transfers toner to the paper. The toner is the powder that makes the image.
Drum vs toner cartridge
- Toner cartridge: holds the toner; replaced most often
- Drum unit: replaced every few toner cartridges, usually after 12,000–50,000 pages
Some printers (most HP LaserJets) combine the drum and toner in one cartridge, so you never buy a drum. Others (most Brother lasers, some HP and Canon models) use a separate drum unit.
Signs the drum needs replacing
- A "replace drum" or "drum end soon" message
- Repeating marks, dots or faint lines at the same spot on every page
- Gray background on pages even with new toner
Does a new toner fix drum problems?
No. If marks repeat after you change the toner, replace the drum.
Shop drums & imaging units, for example the HP 32A imaging drum.
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