What Toner Does the HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all HP 210X Toner Cartridges – W2100X–W2103X 4-Pack → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
Quick answer: The HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw uses HP 210A (standard) or HP 210X (high-yield) toner, and so does every other HP 4201 model (4201dn, 4201dwe and 4201dne). There are four cartridges: black (W2100A / W2100X), cyan (W2101A / W2101X), yellow (W2102A / W2102X) and magenta (W2103A / W2103X). Castle Ink sells the compatible HP 210X 4-pack with chips, rated at about 7,500 black pages and about 5,500 pages per color. We don't sell 210A or 210X single cartridges.
Read this before you buy any non-HP toner for a 4201dw. HP's 4201dw store page says the printer is "dynamic security enabled" and blocks "cartridges using a non-HP chip or electronic circuitry." HP's 4201 user guide adds that firmware updates can block cartridges that work today. If the printer shows "Non-HP Chip Detected," that is a block, not a warning: pressing OK does not get it printing again. Our 210X 4-pack uses new aftermarket chips, which is what dynamic security looks for. So before you install it, check that your model name does not end in "e," and set firmware updates to notify you instead of installing on their own. If a cartridge you bought from us is refused, contact us within the 1-year return window and we will replace or refund it.
CastleScore · October 2026
82/100 — Highly Recommended
HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 86 | 4.38★ average across 210 ratings at HP.com (4.4, 173 ratings) and Walmart (4.3, 37 ratings). Staples' 4.19★ from 766 ratings is shared with its 4301fdw listing, so we left it out. |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. PCMag, TechRadar and Digital Trends reviewed the 4201dw favorably, but we could not confirm a score. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 80 | About 1.7¢ per rated page across the set with our compatible 210X 4-pack with chips ($399.95 for 7,500 black + 3 × 5,500 color pages). Docked because dynamic security and firmware updates can reject toner without HP's chip. |
| Reliability (18%) | 88 | Most-reported problems: starter toner running out quickly, HP Smart driver and app frustrations, the dial-based menu, and occasional wake-from-sleep noise. No recurring hardware failures in owner reviews. |
| Features (11%) | 66 | Auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, walk-up USB printing, fast (35 ppm). Print only: no scanner, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 84 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $529–$549 (Micro Center had it at $449.99) |
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. In October 2026 HP.com listed the 4201dw at $549 (MSRP $699), Staples at $549.99, Walmart at $528.90 and Micro Center at $449.99. The HP+ 4201dwe uses the same toner but requires Original HP cartridges once HP+ is activated.
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 29, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 210X 4-packOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw Toner Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 210A Black | W2100A | Black | ~2,000 pages |
| HP 210A Cyan | W2101A | Cyan | ~1,800 pages |
| HP 210A Yellow | W2102A | Yellow | ~1,800 pages |
| HP 210A Magenta | W2103A | Magenta | ~1,800 pages |
| HP 210X Black | W2100X | Black | ~7,500 pages |
| HP 210X Cyan / Yellow / Magenta | W2101X / W2102X / W2103X | Cyan / Yellow / Magenta | ~5,500 pages each |
| Castle Ink HP 210X 4-pack | W2100X–W2103X | Black + 3 colors | ~7,500 / ~5,500 pages |
HP+ 4201dwe owners: Original HP toner only, for life
The HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dwe is the HP+ version of the 4201dw. It takes the same HP 210A and 210X cartridges, but once HP+ is activated the printer accepts only Original HP toner for as long as you own it. HP's HP+ FAQ says the program "requires an HP account, Internet connection, and use of Original HP Ink for the lifetime of the printer," and that once activated it is "embedded in the device." Compatible cartridges, including ours, and remanufactured cartridges are refused on an activated 4201dwe, and no seller can get around that.
HP lets you skip HP+ during setup. If you have a new 4201dwe still in the box and want the option of compatible toner later, skip the HP+ step when you set it up. If your printer is already enrolled, buy Original HP 210A or 210X. Not sure which you have? Check the model name on the front of the printer: if it ends in "dwe," it is the HP+ model.
The same HP 210A / 210X cartridges fit the Color LaserJet Pro 4201dn and the Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301dw, 4301fdn and 4301fdw, plus their "e" HP+ versions. To keep dynamic security from catching you out after an update, see how to keep HP firmware updates from blocking your ink.
The 4201dw is HP's print-only color laser for small offices: up to 35 pages a minute, automatic two-sided printing, Wi-Fi and Ethernet, and a four-line display you work with a dial.
Do not confuse the 4201dw with the 4202dw. HP's user guide for the series lists HP 220A / 220X for the 4202 models and says cartridges work only in the printer they are designed for. HP 414A / 414X belongs to the older M454dw, which the 4201dw replaced.
If you are pricing a full set, our HP 210X toner price comparison puts our 4-pack next to genuine HP and other sellers, including the ones that cost less.
How to Replace the Toner in the HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw
- Press the button on the left side of the printer to open the front door.
- Take hold of the blue handle on the toner drawer and pull the drawer out.
- Grip the empty cartridge by its handle and lift it straight up out of the drawer.
- Pull the release tab on the new cartridge's packaging, lift the cartridge out, and rock it end to end a few times to spread the toner. Don't touch the imaging drum on the underside.
- Set the new cartridge in the drawer so its color chip matches the color marked on the drawer.
- Push the drawer back in and close the front door. Put the old cartridge in the new one's box for recycling.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Non-HP Chip Detected" or a cartridge the printer won't use: On the 4201dw this stops printing; it is not a message you can clear with OK. Check whether a firmware update ran recently. If the cartridge came from us, call us and we will sort out a replacement or refund.
A cartridge from another printer is refused: The 4201dw has a Cartridge Protection setting (Menu > Settings > Supplies). HP's guide says any cartridge installed while it is on stays tied to that printer for good, even after the setting is turned off. If you move a cartridge between printers in an office, make sure the setting was off when that cartridge went in.
Streaks, smudges or faded color: Pull the drawer, lift out the cartridge for the faded color and rock it end to end, then print a cleaning page from the Tools menu. If one color keeps streaking, that cartridge is the likely cause. See laser printer streaks and lines.
What 4201dw owners ask
These questions come up again and again on HP's and Best Buy's Q&A pages and in owner reviews. The answers are in our words.
Can the 4201dw scan or copy?
No. It prints only. HP points shoppers who need scan, copy or fax to the Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw, which takes the same 210A / 210X toner.
Can I print to it without a Wi-Fi network?
Yes. HP's answer is Wi-Fi Direct, which lets a phone or laptop connect straight to the printer. It also has Gigabit Ethernet and a USB port.
Does it print on 11 x 17 paper or card stock?
It does not take 11 x 17 (ledger). The largest size is 8.5 x 14 legal. HP lists paper weights from 60 to 163 g/m², and it accepts glossy laser paper.
Why did my first black cartridge run out so fast?
The cartridges in the box are starters. HP rates them at about 1,200 black and 1,000 color pages, about half of a standard 210A, which is why one owner on HP.com ran out of black within days.
Will third-party toner work in a 4201dw that isn't an "e" model?
Maybe, and not for certain. The non-HP+ 4201dw still has dynamic security, and HP says a firmware update can block a non-HP chip that worked the day before. TechRadar's reviewer advised against cheap third-party toner for this reason.
4201dw quirks worth knowing
- There is no touchscreen and no Cancel button. You turn the dial to scroll and press it to select; a long press brings up a shortcut menu. Cancel appears on screen during a job.
- The PIN for the Embedded Web Server is on a sticker inside the front door. You need it to change some supply settings, such as the Authorized HP Cartridge Policy.
- The toner sits in a pull-out drawer, not loose behind the door. If you take a cartridge out for more than a few minutes, cover it or put it back in its bag, because light harms the drum.
- Standard paper capacity is a 250-sheet tray plus a 50-sheet multipurpose tray. HP sells an optional 550-sheet tray for busier offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 4201dw need a separate drum unit?
No. The imaging drum is part of each HP 210 cartridge, so a new cartridge gives you a new drum.
Can I mix 210A and 210X cartridges?
Yes. They fit the same slots, so you can run a 210X black with 210A colors if you print mostly in black.
Will compatible toner void my HP warranty?
No. The U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act stops HP from voiding your warranty only because you used third-party toner. HP+ on the 4201dwe is a separate agreement.
Other printers that use HP 210A and 210X toner
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw · HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dn · HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdn
More HP ink guides: HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw · HP LaserJet Pro 4001dn · HP LaserJet Pro 4101fdw · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Brother HL-L2460DW — CastleScore 90
- Brother MFC-L2820DW — CastleScore 90
- Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw — CastleScore 85
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 29, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP 210X Toner Cartridges – W2100X–W2103X 4-Pack? Shop HP 210X Toner Cartridges – W2100X–W2103X 4-Pack at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.