OKI Toner Errors: What They Mean and How to Fix Them

The toner cartridge holds the powder that the image drum uses to print. Colour printers have four cartridges, one each for cyan, magenta, yellow and black, and mono printers have one. When your printer displays a toner error, the code tells you which cartridge has the problem and, in most cases, what to do about it. Many toner errors clear when you refit the cartridge and lock it properly. Codes 410 to 413 mean a cartridge is empty. One set of codes, 560 to 563, reports empty toner but actually needs a new drum, and it’s worth knowing about before you order anything.

This page covers the OKI toner error codes specifically. For every other OKI code, see our complete guide to OKI error codes.

Which cartridge does the code refer to?

OKI uses a fixed order for the four colours, so the last digit of the code tells you which cartridge it means.

The empty-toner codes 410 to 413 also run one per colour, and the printer display names the colour alongside the code. On a mono printer you will only ever see the black codes.

Do I refit the cartridge or replace it?

Work through these three steps in order. Between them, they resolve the majority of toner errors.

If a code keeps coming back after these steps, call us on 033 0303 0123 and one of our OKI trained technicians will talk it through with you.

What do error codes 410, 411, 412 and 413 mean?

The toner cartridge named on the display is empty. Opening and closing the output tray will let you print a little longer, but OKI warns that running a printer on empty toner can damage the image drum, so replace the cartridge as soon as you can. On a colour printer you only need the colour the code names. See codes 410 to 413 on the error-code page.

What do error codes 414 and 415 mean?

The waste toner collector for the yellow (414) or magenta (415) cartridge is full. On these models the collector is part of the cartridge, so the fix is a new cartridge for that colour. As with the empty codes, you can open and close the output tray to print a little longer, but don’t leave it, as it can damage the drum. See codes 414 and 415 on the error-code page.

What do error codes 544, 545, 546 and 547 mean?

The printer can’t detect the cartridge shown in the table above, which almost always means it isn’t locked in. Open the cover and check that the protective tape has been removed from the cartridge and that the blue lock lever has been turned all the way to the locked position. If it has, lift the cartridge off and refit it. If the code still returns, give us a call. See codes 544 to 547 on the error-code page.

What do error codes 610, 611, 612 and 613 mean?

The cartridge shown in the table isn’t installed. If you’ve just replaced it, the new cartridge may not be seated; lift it off and refit it, then lock the lever. If a cartridge is fitted and locked and the code stays, treat it as 544 to 547 above. See codes 610 to 613 on the error-code page.

What do error codes 560, 561, 562 and 563 mean?

These are the codes most often misread, so please read this one before ordering. The printer reports the toner as empty, but the cause is that the image drum for that colour has reached the end of its life. A new toner cartridge won’t clear it. You need a new image drum. Our image drum errors page explains how to check and replace it. See codes 560 to 563 on the error-code page.

What do the non-genuine toner codes mean?

Codes 550 to 557, 614 to 623 and 709 all mean the printer has detected a cartridge it doesn’t recognise as genuine OKI toner. The printer will usually let you continue, but OKI’s guidance, and ours, is to fit a genuine cartridge. Non-genuine toner is the most common cause of the print-quality problems and drum damage we get called about, and it isn’t covered by the OKI warranty. If you’ve bought what you believed was a genuine cartridge and are seeing one of these codes, call us and we’ll help you check it. See codes 550 to 557 on the error-code page.

What do error codes 147 and 160 to 163 mean?

Code 147 is a fault with the toner supply motor for one cartridge position, and codes 160 to 163 are toner sensor faults, one per colour. In both cases, check the cartridge is fitted and the lock lever is turned fully to the locked position, then restart the printer. If the code returns, call us before ordering a part. These faults are sometimes in the cartridge and sometimes in the sensor or motor behind it, and we’d rather confirm which than sell you a cartridge you don’t need. See code 147 on the error-code page.

How do I replace an OKI toner cartridge?

1. Open the top cover of the printer.
2. Turn the blue lock lever on the old cartridge to the unlocked position and lift the cartridge out.
3. Take the new cartridge out of its packaging and rock it gently from side to side a few times to loosen the toner.
4. Remove the protective tape from the underside of the cartridge.
5. Lower the cartridge into the image drum for that colour, left side first, until it sits level.
6. Turn the blue lock lever all the way to the locked position. If the lever won’t turn fully, the cartridge isn’t seated.
7. Close the top cover. The printer detects the new cartridge automatically.
8. Print a test page to confirm everything is working.

The exact steps vary between models, so check your printer manual if anything looks different. If you’d like a hand, call us and we’ll talk you through it.

Which toner cartridge do I need?

Toner cartridges are specific to both the printer series and the colour, so you need the right cartridge for your model and the right colour for the code. The quickest way to find yours is to enter your printer model into the search box on our OKI toners and cartridges page, for example C824 or ES8453, then choose the colour.

Not sure which one you need? Call us on 033 0303 0123 with your printer model and we’ll confirm the right cartridge before you order. All our cartridges are genuine OKI, come with our technical support included, and orders over £125 qualify for free UK mainland delivery.

More help with OKI error codes

If your code isn’t listed on this page, see our complete guide to OKI error codes. For fuser, image drum and transfer belt codes, see our other part pages.

You can also speak to an OKI trained technical support specialist on 033 0303 0123, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (UK and Ireland business customers only).