What Toner Does the Canon imageCLASS MF272dw Use?
Last Updated:The Canon imageCLASS MF272dw 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
78/100 — Recommended
Canon imageCLASS MF272dw
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (20%) | 60 | PCMag (MF275dw) 3.0/5 |
| 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%) | 89 | Most-reported problems: front/top cover will not close after a toner cartridge is replaced |
| Features (11%) | 73 | Print, copy, scan, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, fast (20+ ppm). No document feeder, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. Canon USA lists the MF272dw as discontinued. The MF273dw, which adds a document feeder, takes the same 071 / 071H 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 8, 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 MF272dw is the base all-in-one in the MF270 series — print, copy and scan, with Wi-Fi and Ethernet, but no fax and no document feeder. If you are comparing it with the MF275dw, the difference is features, not supplies: the MF273dw adds a 35-sheet document feeder, and the MF275dw adds fax and a document feeder. Both take the same 071 and 071H cartridges, so a shared stock of toner works across both.
How to Replace the Toner
- Power on the Canon imageCLASS MF272dw and open the front toner 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 straight out of the cartridge — pull it flat, not at an angle, so it does not tear.
- Slide the cartridge into the printer until it seats, then close the cover. 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 MF272dw 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.
The cover won't close after I changed the toner. What's wrong?
Owners report this on Canon's community forum, and the usual cause is a cartridge that isn't fully seated. Take it out, push it all the way home and close the cover again. Canon hasn't posted an official fix in that thread.
Can I connect it with a network cable instead of Wi-Fi?
Yes. Canon lists 10/100 Ethernet alongside Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct and USB 2.0.
How fast is it, and how much printing is it built for?
Canon rates it at up to 30 pages a minute on letter paper, with the first page out in about 5.3 seconds. Canon recommends 200 to 2,000 pages a month.
Can it scan a stack of pages?
No. The MF272dw scans from the flatbed glass only. The MF273dw adds a 35-sheet document feeder and takes the same 071 toner.
Is the MF272dw still sold?
Canon USA lists it as discontinued. The 071 and 071H cartridges are still current because the LBP122dw, MF273dw and MF275dw use them too.
imageCLASS MF272dw quirks worth knowing
- The control panel is a 5-line LCD with buttons, not a touchscreen.
- It takes legal-size paper (8.5 x 14 in) from the 150-sheet cassette, and paper as small as 3 x 5 in.
- Canon doesn't list what toner ships in the MF272dw box. The sibling MF273dw comes with a 700-page starter 071, so if yours came with a starter, expect it to run out well before a retail 071 (about 1,200 pages).
- Canon rates its standby power draw at 5.8 W.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What toner does the Canon imageCLASS MF272dw 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 MF272dw 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: No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act a manufacturer cannot void your warranty solely because you used a non-OEM cartridge.
Q: Where can I buy Canon 071 / 071H toner?
A: Both the Canon 071 (5645C001) and the Canon 071H (5646C001) are in stock at Castle Ink.
Other printers that use Canon 071 toner
Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw · 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 8, 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.