HP Color LaserJet 8500/8550 Series Consumable Replacement & Maintenance Guidelines

    You can identify consumable items by their labeling and their blue plastic handles. The following table lists the replacement intervals for printer consumable items and the control panel messages that prompt you when to replace each item.

Please note that low consumable warning messages begin to appear when the consumable still has about 20% remaining.  This is done to allow ample time to order replacements.  The printer will print normally until the consumable is completely depleted.

a. Approximate life based on printing 6,000 pages per month.

b. Approximate average letter-size page count based on 5% coverage of individual toner colors. This value can be used to estimate other levels of coverage from 2% to 35%. For example, 5,000 pages at 5% coverage is approximately 2,500 pages at 10% coverage. Estimates made in this manner are only approximate, and usage conditions and print patterns can cause the results to vary.

c. Drum life is stated in terms of Letter/A-4-size images. The number of images printed for each sheet of media varies, depending on the mix of color, duplexing, and large-format printing. An image is a layer of toner. A Letter-size, color (CMYK) sheet printed on one side contains four Letter/A4 images. A duplexed sheet (printed on both sides) counts as two images. In color duplex mode, there are eight Letter-size images per Letter/A4 sheet. An 11 x 17 (or A3) page sheet contains twice as many Letter-size images as a Letter-size sheet.

Note The color toner carousel will not rotate unless the clear door is closed, the imaging drum and black toner cartridge are installed (including removing the orange seal from the black toner cartridge and swinging the upper lever to the left), and the upper right door is closed.

Note Do not shake the toner cartridge in attempts to extend the cartridge life. For more information on replacing the toner cartridge, see the installation guide included with the toner cartridge.

CAUTION Hewlett-Packard recommends using HP products in its printers.  Using non-HP products may cause problems requiring service that is not covered by the Hewlett-Packard warranty or service agreements.

    After a new toner cartridge is installed, the user must reset the HP TonerGauge from the control panel. When the top cover is closed after the printer has detected a toner low condition, the NEW TONER CARTRIDGE=NO message is displayed on the control panel for approximately 30 seconds. To reset the HP TonerGauge:

Note If the NEW TONER CARTRIDGE=NO message is no longer displayed on the control panel and you have replaced one or more of the toner cartridges, then press MENU repeatedly until CONFIGURATION MENU appears. When you replace an empty or low toner cartridge, press ITEM repeatedly until NEW TONER CARTRIDGE=NO appears.

    Hewlett-Packard encourages responsible disposal of HP LaserJet printer consumable items through its Environmental Collection Program. For details on this program, see the recycling instruction guide enclosed with each consumable item.  The following consumable items can be disposed of through the Environmental Collection Program:  Toner Cartridges, Imaging Drum Cartridges, Transfer Belts, and Fusers.

   You will find useful information at:   http://www.hp.com/support/lj8550.  We also have this model's User Manual in our knowledgebase and would be happy to forward you a copy.  Please make your request by contacting the Help Desk at x21720.