What Toner Does the Brother HL-2170W Use?
Last Updated:The Brother HL-2170W uses Brother TN360 high-yield (or standard TN330) black toner cartridges and a DR360 drum unit that lasts roughly 12,000 pages.
Toner & Drum at a Glance
| Part | Type | Approx. Page Yield | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother TN330 | Black Toner | ~1,500 pages | Light printing |
| Brother TN360 | Black Toner (High Yield) | ~2,600 pages | Frequent printing |
| Brother DR360 | Drum Unit | ~12,000 pages | Replace every 4-5 toners |
TN330 / TN360 toner and the DR360 drum also fit the HL-2140, HL-2150N; MFC-7340, MFC-7345N, MFC-7440N, MFC-7840W; DCP-7030, DCP-7040 — Brother's late-2000s mono laser family.
Save on TN360 Toner
Compatible Brother TN360 toner matches OEM yield and quality at a fraction of retail cost. Browse our TN360 selection and pair with a DR360 drum when your image quality starts to fade.
How to Replace Toner in the Brother HL-2170W
- Power off the printer and open the front cover to access the toner/drum assembly.
- Pull the toner-and-drum assembly straight out as a single unit.
- Press down the green lock lever to release the empty toner from the drum, then lift the toner out.
- Unbox the new toner, rock it side to side 5-6 times to redistribute the powder, then snap it into the drum unit.
- Slide the toner-and-drum assembly back into the printer and close the front cover.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Replace toner" warning. If you've already installed a new toner, reset the toner counter from the printer's menu — the HL-2170W uses Menu → 1 → OK sequence.
Faded prints. Remove the toner-and-drum assembly and rock the toner 5-6 times. Persistent fading usually means the drum unit needs replacement.
Paper jams. Open the back cover and check the rear paper exit path. Envelopes and heavy paper often jam there.
Wi-Fi setup issues. The HL-2170W supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only — use Brother's included installer or the WPS button to connect.
Official Brother Resources
For drivers and the user manual visit the Brother HL-2170W support page or the main Brother support portal.
Bottom Line
The Brother HL-2170W is a wireless mono laser printer, and TN360 high-yield toner keeps cost-per-page among the lowest in its class. Shop compatible HL-2170W toner at Castle Ink for the best savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toner does the Brother HL-2170W use?
Brother TN330 (standard) or TN360 (high-yield) black toner cartridges, plus a DR360 drum unit.
Can I use TN360 instead of TN330?
Yes — TN360 prints about 2,600 pages versus 1,500 for TN330, providing much lower cost-per-page.
Do I need to replace the drum every toner?
No — the DR360 drum lasts about 12,000 pages or roughly 4-5 toner cycles.
Does the HL-2170W print double-sided?
Manual duplex only — there is no automatic duplexer. For auto duplex look at the HL-2270DW.
Are compatible TN360 cartridges safe to use?
Yes — quality compatibles match OEM yield and quality, and federal law protects your warranty.
About the Author: William Elward is the founder of Castle Ink and has been writing about printers, ink cartridges, and printing technology for over 20 years.
Shop Compatible Toner at Castle Ink
Save 50–70% on replacement toner for the Brother HL-2170W. Guaranteed to work — backed by Castle Ink's compatibility guarantee.
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See also: Best printers that don't lock you into OEM ink | Printer Ink Cost Calculator