FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

BACKGROUND

Examples of developer used in an image forming apparatus include two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier. The two-component developer deteriorates in accordance with drive of a developing device. The deteriorated two-component developer tends to scatter in the image forming apparatus. For that reason, in order to prevent scattering of the deteriorated two-component developer, the image forming apparatus may perform an operation such as stopping an image forming operation, notifying of replacement of developer, or the like. However, such an operation may cause inconvenience for a user or may cause inconvenience such as an increase in the number of maintenance steps of the image forming apparatus.

