Kyocera Waste Toner Box: Signs It's Full and How to Replace It
Last Updated:If your Kyocera printer or copier is showing a waste toner message, it usually just means the waste toner box needs to be replaced — not a sign of a bigger problem. It's part of our full Printer Troubleshooting Center.
The Short Answer
A Kyocera waste toner container, usually labeled with a "WT-" part number, collects the toner residue cleaned off the drum and transfer belt during printing. When it's full, the control panel shows a message like "Waste Toner Box Full" or "Check Waste Toner Box," and most models stop printing until it's replaced. Swapping it out is a quick, tool-free process.
What Triggers the Waste Toner Box Message?
Kyocera printers monitor waste toner accumulation with an internal counter rather than a sensor you can inspect visually. Once that counter reaches its threshold, the printer displays the warning and, on most models, pauses all print jobs until the box is swapped — a safeguard against toner residue leaking into the machine and damaging the drum or transfer belt.
Common Kyocera Waste Toner Box Part Numbers
Kyocera labels its waste toner containers with a "WT-" prefix, and the correct part depends on your printer or copier model. A few of the more common ones:
- WT-8500 — TASKalfa 3050ci, 3550ci, 4550ci, 5550ci
- WT-861 — TASKalfa 3500i, 4500i, 5500i
- WT-895 — TASKalfa 3212i, 4012i
Since Kyocera reuses similar naming across several product lines, confirm the exact part number on your current box or in your printer's supply status menu before ordering a replacement.
Waste Toner Box vs. Toner Cartridge: What's the Difference?
It's easy to assume a waste toner warning means you're out of toner, but these are two different systems. The toner cartridge supplies fresh toner used to form the printed image, while the waste toner box collects the leftover toner scraped off the drum and belt after that image transfers to the page. Replacing your toner cartridge won't clear a waste toner warning — the two are tracked independently. For more on how these parts relate, see our Printer Parts Glossary.
How Long Does a Kyocera Waste Toner Box Last?
A Kyocera waste toner box typically lasts through printing similar to one or two toner cartridges, though heavier ink coverage — like graphics or photos — fills it faster than text-only pages. For offices with moderate daily print volume, that generally works out to several months to around a year between replacements.
Replacing a Kyocera Waste Toner Box
- Open the front cover or designated panel (check your printer's display for model-specific access instructions).
- Locate the waste toner box near the drum and transfer unit.
- Carefully lift or slide out the box, keeping it upright to avoid spilling toner residue.
- Place the used box in the bag included with the replacement, if provided, for disposal.
- Insert the new waste toner box until it locks into place.
- Close the cover. Most Kyocera models automatically clear the warning once the new box is detected.
FAQ
Can I empty a Kyocera waste toner box and put it back in?
No. These are sealed, single-use containers without a safe way to empty and reset them. Reusing one risks toner spilling inside the printer.
Can I keep printing after the waste toner warning appears?
Some Kyocera models allow a small number of additional pages, but most will eventually stop printing entirely until the box is replaced.
Where to Buy a Kyocera Waste Toner Box
Castle Ink is building out its own waste toner box inventory. In the meantime, you can browse Kyocera waste toner boxes on Amazon (as an Amazon Associate, Castle Ink earns from qualifying purchases). Double-check the part number (WT-8500, WT-861, WT-895, or otherwise) against your printer's exact model before ordering.
Have a different printer brand? See our general guide on What Is a Waste Toner Box? When (and How) to Replace It, or check out our full Printer Parts Glossary.