What Toner Does the HP Color LaserJet 1600 Use?

by Lauren Elward Last Updated: October 27, 2026

Quick answer: The HP Color LaserJet 1600 uses HP 124A toner: Q6000A black (about 2,500 pages), Q6001A cyan, Q6002A yellow and Q6003A magenta (about 2,000 pages each).

There is no high-yield 124X. Listings that call the Q6000AD "high yield" are selling a two-pack of standard cartridges. The Color LaserJet 2600n, 2605 and CM1015/CM1017 take the same toner. Castle Ink sells compatible 124A in all four colors and as a 4-pack.

CastleScore · October 2026

69/100 — Situational

HP Color LaserJet 1600 (Scored on HP Color LaserJet 1600 data)

Pillar (weight)	Score	What it is based on
Owner ratings (28%)	—	We couldn't find a retail rating pool for the Color LaserJet 1600.
Expert reviews (20%)	—	No published numeric expert score we could verify.
Cost per page (18%)	89	About 2.9¢ per page blended with our compatible HP 124A (2,500 black / 2,000 color pages).
Reliability (18%)	72	Most-reported problems: slow output; USB-only connection; dim, unlit display
Features (11%)	35	Print only, 8 ppm, 250-sheet tray plus priority slot, USB only. No network or automatic two-sided printing.
Value (5%)	—	Not scored without owner ratings

Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or published expert scores for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars. With neither owner ratings nor a published expert score, we cap this printer at 69 (Situational) until better data is available.

Discontinued. A 2006-era model, now sold used only.

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 27, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.

The toner, pictured

Our own compatible toner, photographed in-house.

What Toner Does the HP Color LaserJet 1600 Take?

Cartridge	HP part no.	Approx. yield	Castle Ink option
HP 124A Black	Q6000A	~2,500 pages	Castle Ink 124A Black, $67.95
HP 124A Cyan	Q6001A	~2,000 pages	Castle Ink 124A Cyan, $59.95
HP 124A Yellow	Q6002A	~2,000 pages	Castle Ink 124A Yellow, $59.95
HP 124A Magenta	Q6003A	~2,000 pages	Castle Ink 124A Magenta, $59.95
HP 124A 4-pack (black + 3 colors)	Q6000A–Q6003A	—	Castle Ink 124A 4-Pack, $219.95

Yields are HP's figures as listed by LD Products and 4inkjets.

What Does Color LaserJet 1600 Toner Cost per Page?

On October 27, 2026, LD Products listed HP's Q6000A black at $85.99 and Q6001A cyan at $88.73: about 3.4¢ a page for black and 4.4¢ per color. Our compatible 124A black is $67.95 (about 2.7¢ a page), our colors are $59.95 each (about 3¢ a page), and the 4-pack is $219.95.

Will Compatible Toner Work?

Yes. We know of no cartridge lock on this model. The HP firmware updates that rejected third-party cartridges were reported on newer OfficeJet, OfficeJet Pro and PageWide printers, and this printer is older than that change. HP's warranty doesn't cover damage caused by non-HP supplies, but using them doesn't void it.

How Do I Replace the Toner in the Color LaserJet 1600?

Turn the printer on and open the front door (on some models the cartridges sit in a pull-out drawer behind it).
Take out the cartridge for the color that's empty. The slots are color-coded.
Unpack the new cartridge and rock it gently side to side to spread the toner.
Pull off the orange sealing tape and any protective cover, without touching the green drum surface.
Slide the cartridge into its matching slot until it seats, then close the door.

These are the standard steps for this type of printer. If your model's door label shows a different order, follow the label.

Which Other Printers Use HP 124A Toner?

The Color LaserJet 2600n, 2605, 2605dn and 2605dtn and the Color LaserJet CM1015 and CM1017 MFPs all take 124A.

What Color LaserJet 1600 owners ask

These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, manufacturer support communities and owner reviews, answered in our words.

Is there a high-yield toner for the 1600?

No. Only 124A exists (about 2,500 black and 2,000 per color). The Q6000AD is a twin pack of standard black cartridges.

Can I put it on my network?

Not directly. It connects by USB only, so you need a shared computer or a USB print server.

Does 2600n toner fit the 1600?

Yes. Both printers use HP 124A.

Why won't a new cartridge print?

Check that the shipping tape is fully removed. It has to come off before the cartridge will print.

Color LaserJet 1600 quirks worth knowing

It prints at up to 8 pages a minute; Trusted Reviews measured about 5.3.
It's print-only and USB-only, with a 250-sheet tray and a single-sheet priority slot for envelopes.
The 16-character LCD isn't backlit.
HP no longer sells its transfer belt as a part.

Frequently Asked Questions