Dell 5110cn Transfer Roller: For Great Success!

Today is a good day, and it’s only 10:05am. Here’s a great tip for those of you who work in I.T. shops and have Dell 5110cn Printers.

You know those pesky transfer rollers? Yeah, the things that need to be replaced 3x as often as the Imaging Drum they’re often sold with? Yeah, it turns out that you can re-use them successfully. I know, I did it myself just today.

Wanna see how?

Words of warning: This process may (will) void whatever is left on your warranty or service contract on your Dell 5110cn Printer.

Additionally: This process will generate a metric fuckton of smoke which is actually toner. DON’T BREATHE THIS. It’s not pleasant stuff.

Also of note, the Dell 5100cn Printer is basically the same thing, so the process is probably exactly the same.

Things you’ll need to have:

A completely used up Dell 5100/5110cn Transfer Roller (when installed in the printer you’ll get error: 094-911: Replace Transfer Roller).
A Multi-Tool of Some Kind (or pliers and screw drivers)
A Tornado In A Can or other high-powered air blower.
A Garbage Can
(Optional) Face Mask to prevent toner inhalation (a very real risk here)
Gloves (just… trust me on this one)

Let’s get this party started!

With the transfer roller in front of you, turn it so the side with the white cap is facing you.
Using a small, flathead screwdriver pry up the tab of the white clip and move it counter-clockwise until it snaps into the groove. See pictures for explanation.
Pull the white clip out, place it aside.
Grab hold of the now-exposed metal of the transfer roller. Pull gently, but firmly towards you until it frees itself from the black clip on the other side of the assembly.
Gently wipe down the transfer roller to remove excess toner.
Place the transfer roller aside (preferably in an anti-static bag, but a paper towel will suffice).
You should now see the exposed waste toner bay in the assembly. This is what we’re after!
Tap the toner cartridge against a waste bin for about a minute to shake all the toner out of the cartridge. Don’t breathe in the smoke please 🙁
Take your tornado in a can and blow out the internal bay and all surfaces of the assembly. It won’t be perfect, but you’re shooting to get the little window in the back of the unit to be relatively clear of discoloration.
Re-install the transfer roller by inserting the metal shaft back into the black tab and sliding it gently back into place. If you did it right, the unit will sort of collapse into place. Make sure you put the gears on the correct side!
Place the white clip back on the end of transfer roller.
Use your pliers to nudge the white clip back into the correct groove.
Test it!