What Toner Does the Brother HL-2240 Use?
Last Updated:The Brother HL-2240 is a monochrome laser printer that uses the TN-450 toner cartridge and the DR-420 drum unit. The toner produces the printed image while the drum transfers it to paper — they are two separate consumables on this model.
Brother TN450 Toner & Drum at a Glance
| Consumable | Part Number | Page Yield | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Toner | TN-450 | ~2,600 pages | Standard |
| Drum Unit | DR-420 | ~12,000 pages | Replace every ~3 toners |
The TN-450 is also compatible with other Brother models including the HL-2240D, HL-2270DW, HL-2280DW, DCP-7060D, DCP-7065DN, MFC-7240, MFC-7360N, MFC-7460DN, and MFC-7860DW, making it a high-volume cartridge family that is widely stocked in genuine, remanufactured, and compatible versions.
Save on TN450 Toner & DR-420 Drum
You can save money by choosing remanufactured or compatible cartridges instead of OEM. Browse our selection of TN450 toner cartridges and DR-420 drum units to find the best price for your Brother HL-2240.
How to Replace the Toner and Drum
- Power on the Brother HL-2240 and open the toner access cover.
- Pull out the toner/drum assembly as a single unit.
- To replace just the toner, push the green lock lever and separate the toner from the drum, then snap in the new TN450 cartridge.
- To replace the drum, install the existing toner into the new DR-420 drum unit.
- Slide the assembly back into the printer, close the cover, and reset the drum counter if you replaced the drum.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Replace Toner" or low-toner warning: Many Brother printers track toner usage by page counter. After installing a new cartridge, you may need to reset the toner counter from the front panel menu.
Faded or streaky prints: Gently rock the toner cartridge side-to-side to redistribute toner, then reinstall. If streaks remain, clean the corona wire by sliding the green tab back and forth several times.
Drum error: After installing a new DR-420, hold the appropriate reset button sequence (Clear/Back + OK on most models) to reset the drum counter to zero.
Paper jams or smudges: Inspect the paper path and pickup roller for wear. Replacing worn rollers and keeping the printer dust-free prevents repeated print-quality issues.
Official Brother Resources
Bottom Line
The Brother HL-2240 uses the TN-450 toner and DR-420 drum unit. Stock up on compatible replacements to keep your printer running for less. Shop TN450 toner here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What toner does the Brother HL-2240 use?
A: The Brother HL-2240 uses the TN-450 black toner cartridge.
Q: Does the Brother HL-2240 need a separate drum unit?
A: Yes — the DR-420 drum unit is separate from the toner and typically lasts about 12,000 pages, or roughly three toner cartridges.
Q: Can I use compatible TN450 cartridges?
A: Yes. Quality remanufactured and compatible TN450 cartridges work reliably in the Brother HL-2240 and cost much less than OEM.
Q: How do I reset the toner counter?
A: With the front cover open, press the menu/clear sequence specific to your model (consult the user manual). The printer will recognize the new cartridge after reset.
Q: Where can I buy TN450 toner?
A: Browse TN450 cartridges at Castle Ink for genuine, remanufactured, and compatible options.
— William Elward, Castle Ink