The Color LaserJet Pro M454 printers and M479 multifunction printers are the workhorse color lasers of small offices. They use one cartridge family, HP 414, in two capacities and four colors. Here is how to buy for them without overpaying or running short.
Key takeaways
- Which toner does the HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw use? HP 414A (standard) or HP 414X (high-yield) in black, cyan, magenta and yellow — part numbers W2020A–W2023A and W2020X–W2023X.
- Why does the black cartridge run out first in my M479? Black is used on every page, including text pages; the colors are used only when color is printed. Expect to replace black two to three times as often.
- Can I print in black when a color cartridge is empty? Yes, on the M454/M479 you can set the printer to continue in black-only when a color cartridge is out, from the supplies settings on the control panel.
Printers covered
- HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dn, M454dw
- HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fnw, M479fdn, M479dw, M479fdw
- Also: HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M455dn and MFP M480f (same cartridges)
The cartridges
HP 414A: black W2020A (2,400 pages), cyan W2021A, yellow W2022A, magenta W2023A (2,100 pages each). HP 414X: black W2020X (7,500 pages), cyan W2021X, yellow W2022X, magenta W2023X (6,000 pages each). The A and X versions are interchangeable and can be mixed in one printer.
How the M454/M479 consumes toner
Every page uses black — including color pages, where black provides the text and deepens shadows. The three colors are used only when color content is printed, and in small amounts to build composite blacks in graphics. In a typical office the black cartridge is replaced two to three times for every color set. Two consequences: keep an extra black on the shelf, and do not assume all four cartridges need changing when the printer flags one.
What to buy
| Your printing | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Mostly text, occasional color, under 500 pages/month | HP 414A black + 414A CMY 3-pack when colors run low |
| Mixed text and color, 500–2,000 pages/month | HP 414X black 2-pack + 414A or 414X CMYK 4-pack |
| Regular color output, 2,000+ pages/month | HP 414X CMYK 4-pack plus a spare 414X black |
The 414X costs roughly 40% less per page than the 414A. Once the printer is busy enough to need a pack, it is busy enough for the X.
Cost per page
A color page on the M454/M479 uses black plus a share of each color. With 414X cartridges at GS TONER prices a full-color page lands in the range of 10–14¢ in toner; a text page around 1.6¢. With 414A cartridges those figures are roughly 60% higher. Draft/EconoMode and "print in grayscale" for internal documents are the two settings that move the bill most.
Installation
Open the front door and pull the cartridge drawer out. Each color has a keyed slot. Lift the empty cartridge out, rock the new one gently, remove the orange clips and slide it in until it clicks. Push the drawer back and close the door; the printer calibrates for about a minute. Check the supplies page: each cartridge should read as an original HP at 100%.
Troubleshooting
- Color misregistration or banding — run the calibration from the Tools/Service menu; do not replace cartridges first.
- "Supply problem" after installing a cartridge — reseat it. If the message persists, the cartridge is not an original HP; refilled chips are the common cause.
- Faint color on one side — the cartridge was not rocked; remove, rock and reinstall.
Frequently asked questions
Which toner does the HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw use?
HP 414A (standard) or HP 414X (high-yield) in black, cyan, magenta and yellow — part numbers W2020A–W2023A and W2020X–W2023X.
Why does the black cartridge run out first in my M479?
Black is used on every page, including text pages; the colors are used only when color is printed. Expect to replace black two to three times as often.
Can I print in black when a color cartridge is empty?
Yes, on the M454/M479 you can set the printer to continue in black-only when a color cartridge is out, from the supplies settings on the control panel.
