Changing toner in an HP LaserJet takes about five minutes and no tools. The procedure below covers the current LaserJet Pro and Color LaserJet Pro models — M404, M428, M255, M283, M454, M479 and their relatives — and, with small differences in door location, older models too.
Key takeaways
- Do I need to shake a new HP toner cartridge? Rock it gently end to end five or six times to distribute the toner. Do not shake it vertically or hard; that can push toner past the seals.
- Why does my HP printer still say low toner after replacing the cartridge? Open and close the cartridge door again so the printer re-reads the chip. If the message persists, the cartridge may be seated incorrectly or the chip may not be an original HP chip.
- Can I keep printing when HP says the cartridge is very low? Yes. 'Very low' is an estimate. Most HP LaserJets let you continue until print quality drops; you can change this in the supplies settings.
Before you start
- Have the right cartridge. The number is on the old cartridge's label and on the printer's supplies page (HP 58A/58X for the M404 and M428, HP 206A/206X for the M255 and M283, HP 414A/414X for the M454 and M479).
- Put down a sheet of paper. Old cartridges can shed a little toner.
- Leave the printer on. It needs power to recognize the new cartridge.
Step 1: open the cartridge door
On mono LaserJet Pro models (M404, M428, M304, M203) the door is on the front, above the paper tray; pull it toward you. On Color LaserJet Pro models (M454, M479, M255, M283) the front door opens and the cartridge drawer slides out toward you, holding all four cartridges in a row. Wait until the printer stops moving before reaching in.
Step 2: remove the old cartridge
Lift it out by the handle. Do not touch the green or blue drum surface on cartridges that expose it; skin oils leave marks on prints. Put the old cartridge in the bag the new one came in — you will recycle it (see below).
Step 3: prepare the new cartridge
Take the cartridge out of its bag. Hold it by both ends and rock it gently five or six times so the toner spreads evenly across the hopper. Remove the orange shipping clips. If there is a pull tab with a sealing strip, pull it straight out in one motion; many current models have no tape at all. Do not remove any covers over the drum until the cartridge is about to go in.
Step 4: install
Line up the cartridge with the guides — it only fits one way — and slide it in until it seats with a soft click. On color models, each color has its own slot; the cartridges are keyed so a cyan cartridge will not go in the magenta slot. Close the door or push the drawer back in. The printer runs a short calibration.
Step 5: confirm on the supplies page
Print a supplies status page (Reports menu) or open the printer's web page from a browser. The new cartridge should show as an original HP cartridge at 100%. If the level does not reset, open and close the door once more.
Common problems
- Door will not close — the cartridge is not fully seated or a shipping clip is still attached.
- Light or streaky prints after a change — a sealing strip is still in place, or the cartridge was not rocked. Remove the cartridge and check.
- "Cartridge low" immediately — the chip has been used before; the cartridge is refilled or counterfeit. See our guide to spotting genuine HP toner.
- Toner on the first few pages — normal after a change; print two or three pages and it clears.
Recycling the old cartridge
HP Planet Partners takes back original HP cartridges free in the US: order a prepaid label online or drop the cartridge at most office-supply stores. Do not throw toner cartridges in household trash; the plastics and residual toner are recovered in HP's closed-loop program.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to shake a new HP toner cartridge?
Rock it gently end to end five or six times to distribute the toner. Do not shake it vertically or hard; that can push toner past the seals.
Why does my HP printer still say low toner after replacing the cartridge?
Open and close the cartridge door again so the printer re-reads the chip. If the message persists, the cartridge may be seated incorrectly or the chip may not be an original HP chip.
Can I keep printing when HP says the cartridge is very low?
Yes. 'Very low' is an estimate. Most HP LaserJets let you continue until print quality drops; you can change this in the supplies settings.
