What Toner Does the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide rated the HP 210A black at about 3,150 pages and said a "Non-HP Chip Detected" message could be dismissed on non-HP+ models. HP 210A black is rated at about 2,000 pages, and the 4301fdw's dynamic security can block cartridges with non-HP chips whether or not HP+ is on.
Quick answer: The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw uses HP 210A (standard) or HP 210X (high-yield) toner in four cartridges: black, cyan, magenta and yellow. Castle Ink's HP 210X 4-pack prints about 7,500 black pages and about 5,500 pages per color.
CastleScore · October 2026
84/100 — Highly Recommended
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 84 | 4.28★ average across 926 ratings at Best Buy (4.4), Walmart (4.1) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | 80 | PCMag 4.0/5 |
| Cost per page (18%) | 80 | About 3¢ per page blended (black + color) with our compatible 210X 4-pack with chips (7,500 black / 5,500 color pages). Docked because firmware can reject toner without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (18%) | 88 | Most-reported problems: printer flags genuine HP 210A cartridges as 'Used or Counterfeit Installed' / 'Incompatible Cartridges' with erratic toner levels; scanner/ADF rollers stopping working |
| Features (11%) | 92 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen, fast (20+ ppm). |
| Value (5%) | 77 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $759 |
Still sold new. Staples listed the 4301fdw at $759.99 in October 2026. The HP+ versions (4301fdwe and others) are sold alongside it and require Original HP 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
HP 210X 4-packOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw Toner Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 210A Black | W2100A | Black | ~2,000 pages |
| HP 210A Color (each) | W2101A / W2102A / W2103A | Cyan / Yellow / Magenta | ~1,800 pages |
| HP 210X Black | W2100X | Black | ~7,500 pages |
| HP 210X Color (each) | W2101X / W2102X / W2103X | Cyan / Yellow / Magenta | ~5,500 pages |
| HP 210X 4-pack | W2100X–W2103X | Black + 3 colors | ~7,500 / ~5,500 pages |
Important: chip and firmware warning. The 4301fdw uses HP dynamic security even though it is not an HP+ "e" model. HP's statement, carried by retailers, says it is designed to work only with cartridges that have new or reused HP chips, and that cartridges with non-HP chips may be blocked now or after a future firmware update. Compatible toner with a third-party chip can therefore stop working at any update. If your printer is a 4301fdwe or another "e" model enrolled in HP+, it is locked to Original HP toner. See how to keep HP firmware updates from blocking your ink.
The same HP 210A / 210X cartridges fit the Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw and 4201dn and the Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301dw, 4301fdn and 4301fdw, along with their "e" HP+ versions. Read our HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw review for how the printer itself performs.
The 4301fdw is a current-generation color laser all-in-one for small offices, with print, scan, copy and fax, a 50-sheet document feeder and automatic two-sided printing.
Do not confuse HP 210A with HP 414A or HP 206A, which fit the older M454/M479 and M255/M283 series.
How to Replace the Toner in the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw
- Open the front door (or lift the scanner and top cover on MFP models) to reach the toner cartridges.
- Grab the handle on the empty cartridge and pull it straight out.
- Unpack the new cartridge, rock it gently side to side five or six times to spread the toner, and remove the orange shipping lock and seal tab.
- Slide the cartridge into the slot that matches its color until it seats firmly.
- Close the door and print a configuration page to confirm the printer reads the new cartridge.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not recognized or "Supply problem": Check that all the orange packing material is off, reseat the cartridge firmly, and restart the printer. On the 4301fdw, a cartridge with a non-HP chip can also be refused outright; see the chip warning above.
"Non-HP Chip Detected" or cartridge blocked: Don't count on pressing OK and printing on. The 4301fdw's dynamic security can block cartridges with non-HP chips with or without HP+, and a firmware update can block one that worked before. If a cartridge you bought from us is refused, contact us.
Streaks, smudges or faded pages: Take the cartridge out and rock it gently to spread the toner, then print a cleaning page from the printer's Tools or Service menu. If one color streaks, that cartridge is the likely cause. See laser printer streaks and lines.
What Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, HP's support forum and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Can I use non-HP toner in a 4301fdw that isn't an "e" model?
Not reliably. The non-e 4301fdw still has HP dynamic security. HP's statement says it is designed to work only with cartridges that have new or reused HP chips, and firmware updates can block cartridges that worked before.
Why does my printer call genuine HP 210A cartridges "used or counterfeit"?
An August 2026 case on HP's forum showed exactly this with genuine cartridges on firmware 6.28.3.30, with Cartridge Protection off. A reset helped only for a while, and no fix was posted.
How many pages does a 210A black print compared with a 210X?
HP 210A black is rated at about 2,000 pages and 210X black at about 7,500. The colors are about 1,800 (210A) and 5,500 (210X).
Does it scan both sides of a page from the feeder?
Yes. B&H lists two-sided scanning through the 50-sheet feeder at up to 46 images a minute in black and 37 in color.
How much paper can I load?
A 250-sheet main tray plus a 50-sheet multipurpose tray, up to legal size. HP also supports an optional second tray.
Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw quirks worth knowing
- The jump from standard to high yield is much bigger for black than for color: 210A black is about 2,000 pages and 210X black about 7,500, nearly four times as many. For the colors it is 1,800 to 5,500.
- It has two USB-A ports (one for a flash drive, one for accessories) as well as USB-B and Ethernet.
- The cartridges that come in the box are starters; HP rates the colors at about 1,000 pages.
- The scanner glass does not take legal-size originals. One owner on HP.com reports that 14-inch documents fed through the document feeder come out slightly skewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 4301fdw need a separate drum?
No. The imaging drum is built into each HP 210 cartridge.
Will compatible toner work on an HP+ 4301fdwe?
No. HP+ locks the printer to Original HP toner for its lifetime.
Will compatible toner void my HP warranty?
No. The U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act stops HP from voiding your warranty just because you used third-party toner. HP+ is a separate agreement.
More HP ink guides: HP LaserJet Pro M402n · HP LaserJet Pro MFP M426fdw · HP LaserJet Pro M201dw · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Brother HL-L2460DW — CastleScore 90
- Brother MFC-L2820DW — CastleScore 90
- HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw — CastleScore 82
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 12, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP toner cartridges? Shop HP toner cartridges at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.