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.