What Toner Does the Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw Use?
Last Updated:The Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw is a monochrome laser printer that uses the Canon 071 (5645C001) or Canon 071H (5646C001) toner cartridge. Both are all-in-one cartridges — the imaging drum is built in, so there is no separate drum unit to buy.
CastleScore · October 2026
79/100 — Recommended
Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 75 | 3.85★ average across 1,167 ratings at Amazon (3.8), Walmart (4.0), Best Buy (3.9) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 91 | About 2.2¢ per page all-in with our compatible 071H toner (2,500 pages; drum built in). |
| Reliability (18%) | 84 | Most-reported problems: each print job needs an OK-button press; windows installs a generic 'LBP121/122 UFR II' driver if USB is connected before Canon's driver, causing print failures; display language switched itself to Japanese |
| Features (11%) | 63 | Auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, fast (20+ ppm). No document feeder, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 83 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $109 |
Limited data: We could not find enough published expert scores for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Still sold new at about $109 at B&H and Micro Center when we checked, though CDW lists it as discontinued and Canon has discontinued the MF272dw and MF275dw that share its toner.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 12, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
Canon 071H Toner
Canon 071 TonerOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
Canon 071 / 071H Toner at a Glance
| Consumable | Part Number | Page Yield | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Toner (standard) | Canon 071 (5645C001) | ~1,200 pages | Standard |
| Black Toner (high-capacity) | Canon 071H (5646C001) | ~2,500 pages | High Capacity |
| Imaging Drum | Built into the cartridge | — | No separate drum to buy |
The 071 and 071H fit the whole compact imageCLASS line: the LBP122dw single-function printer and the MF272dw, MF273dw and MF275dw all-in-ones. If you run more than one of them, a single cartridge type covers the lot.
The LBP122dw is the single-function printer in this family — it prints only, with no scanner or copier, over USB, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct or wired Ethernet. Because there is no scanner, almost every print-quality complaint on the LBP122dw traces back to the cartridge or the paper path, which makes diagnosis simpler than on the MF models: if the page is wrong, the cartridge is the first thing to check.
How to Replace the Toner
- Power on the Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw. Hold the open button and open the front cover.
- Pull the used 071 or 071H cartridge straight out by its handle.
- Unbox the new cartridge and rock it gently 5–6 times end to end to distribute the toner evenly.
- Pull the sealing tape (about 20 in long) straight out of the cartridge. Pull it flat, not at an angle, so it does not tear.
- Slide the cartridge in until it stops, then close the cover. If the cover won't close, the cartridge isn't fully seated. The printer resets the toner gauge on its own.
Troubleshooting Tips
"The toner cartridge cannot be recognized" message: Take the cartridge out, wipe the gold chip contacts with a dry lint-free cloth and reseat it firmly. Canon's compact machines are sensitive to a cartridge that is not pushed fully home.
Faded print with plenty of toner reported: Rock the cartridge side to side and reinstall. If the fade returns within a few pages and the cartridge is near end of life, it is genuinely empty regardless of what the gauge says.
Grey background or smudging on every page: The drum is inside the cartridge on this series, so drum wear and toner exhaustion are fixed the same way — fit a new cartridge.
Toner smears when you rub the printed page: The fuser is not reaching temperature, usually because the paper is heavier than the driver setting. Set the correct media type in the print dialog before assuming a hardware fault.
What imageCLASS LBP122dw owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, Canon's support community and owner reviews, answered in our words.
How long will the first cartridge last?
The printer ships with a 700-page starter 071, against about 1,200 pages for a retail 071 and 2,500 for an 071H.
The screen suddenly switched to Japanese. How do I get English back?
Owners report going to Menu > Preferences > Display Preferences > Language and picking English, which is listed in its own script. Canon phone support can also walk you through it.
Why do I have to press OK before every print job?
Owners see a flashing orange light and a "No Paper: Drawer 1" style prompt. Canon's forum thread has no confirmed fix. We'd start by making sure the paper size set in the driver matches the size set for the cassette.
USB printing from Windows 11 fails after setup. What went wrong?
If the USB cable goes in first, Windows may install a generic LBP121/122 driver. Remove it, install Canon's LBP122dw driver, then connect the cable.
imageCLASS LBP122dw quirks worth knowing
- The 5-line screen isn't lit in normal use (owners say the light only comes on during setup), so it's hard to read in a dim room.
- It prints on paper from 3 × 5 in up to legal (8.5 × 14 in) from the 150-sheet cassette.
- Canon recommends up to about 2,000 pages a month, which suits the 071H better than the standard 071.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What toner does the Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw use?
A: The Canon 071 (5645C001) at roughly 1,200 pages, or the high-capacity Canon 071H (5646C001) at roughly 2,500 pages.
Q: Does the Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw need a separate drum unit?
A: No. The 071 and 071H are all-in-one cartridges with the imaging drum built in, so a new cartridge is also a new drum.
Q: Can I fit an 071H if my printer came with an 071?
A: Yes. They are the same physical cartridge; the 071H simply holds more toner and yields about twice as many pages.
Q: Do compatible Canon cartridges void the warranty?
A: Using third-party toner doesn't by itself void the warranty, but Canon won't cover damage it attributes to that toner.
Other printers that use Canon 071 toner
Canon imageCLASS MF272dw · Canon imageCLASS MF275dw
More Canon ink guides: Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw · Canon imageCLASS MF465dw · Canon imageCLASS D530 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Brother HL-L2460DW — CastleScore 90
- Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw II — CastleScore 86
- Canon Color imageCLASS MF753Cdw II — CastleScore 85
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 12, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Canon toner cartridges? Shop Canon toner cartridges at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.