Do Laser Printer Toners go Bad?

[RobDMB]

I want to buy a spare toner cartridge to keep on hand, but I have no idea when I will actually get around to using it. I was wondering if they go bad if they are kept around in storage but assuming they are not opened. Thanks, Rob

 

[kylebubp]

Should last as long as they are in storage. There is really nothing to go bad on them.

 

[Burner27]

Just make sure they are kept in a low humidity environment. A high-humidity environment will cause the toner to "clump".

 

[corkyg]

New ones are sealed in bags - as long as the seal is not broken, they keep indefinitely. Part of normal installation of a new cartidge is to roll it back and forth - this is to distribute the toner evenly and break up any clumps.