What Toner Does the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw uses HP 202A (standard) or HP 202X (high-yield) toner in four cartridges: black, cyan, magenta and yellow. The HP 202X Black prints about 3,200 pages and each 202X color about 2,500.
CastleScore · October 2026
79/100 — Recommended
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 78 | 4.00★ average across 1,851 ratings at Amazon (4.0) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | 70 | PCMag 3.5/5 |
| Cost per page (18%) | 73 | About 4.7¢ per page blended (black + color) with our compatible 202X toner (3,200 black / 2,500 color pages). Docked because firmware can reject toner without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (18%) | 87 | Most-reported problems: after the Nov 2020 auto-update the printer also lost Wi-Fi scan-to-computer/USB functions |
| Features (11%) | 92 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen, fast (20+ ppm). |
| Value (5%) | 76 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Discontinued. CDW lists the M281fdw as discontinued since November 2019. The newer M283fdw takes HP 206A / 206X toner, not 202A / 202X.
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 202X BlackCF500X · ~3,200 pages
HP 202X CyanCF501X · ~2,500 pages
HP 202X MagentaCF503X · ~2,500 pages
HP 202X YellowCF502X · ~2,500 pages
HP 202X Black
HP 202X Cyan
HP 202X Magenta
HP 202X YellowOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw Toner Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 202A Black | CF500A | Black | ~1,400 pages |
| HP 202A Cyan | CF501A | Cyan | ~1,300 pages |
| HP 202A Magenta | CF503A | Magenta | ~1,300 pages |
| HP 202A Yellow | CF502A | Yellow | ~1,300 pages |
| HP 202X Black | CF500X | Black | ~3,200 pages |
| HP 202X Cyan | CF501X | Cyan | ~2,500 pages |
| HP 202X Magenta | CF503X | Magenta | ~2,500 pages |
| HP 202X Yellow | CF502X | Yellow | ~2,500 pages |
The same HP 202A / 202X cartridges fit the Color LaserJet Pro M254dw and M254nw and the Color LaserJet Pro MFP M280nw, M281cdw, M281fdn and M281fdw. The imaging drum is built into each cartridge, so there is no separate drum to buy.
The M281fdw is a color laser all-in-one with print, scan, copy and fax, a 50-sheet document feeder, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and automatic two-sided printing, aimed at small offices. It has been discontinued; the newer M283fdw takes HP 206A / 206X instead.
Do not confuse HP 202A with HP 201A or HP 206A. HP 201A fits the older M277dw and HP 206A fits the newer M283fdw. Neither fits the M281fdw.
How to Replace the Toner in the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw
- Open the front door, then pull out the toner drawer by its blue handle.
- Grab the empty cartridge by its handle and lift it straight up out of the drawer.
- 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.
- Set the new cartridge into the matching color slot in the drawer, then slide the drawer back in.
- 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. If the cartridge is not an original HP one, the cause may be the printer itself: the M281fdw uses HP dynamic security, and HP firmware updates in November 2020 and late 2021 made it block toner with non-HP chips, with messages such as "Indicated cartridges blocked for containing a non-HP chip". HP supports only cartridges with an original HP chip, and compatible toner with a third-party chip can be refused after an update. See how to keep HP firmware updates from blocking your ink.
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 M281fdw 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.
My third-party toner stopped working after the printer updated itself. Why?
The M281fdw uses HP dynamic security. Firmware updates in November 2020 and again in late 2021 made it refuse toner with non-HP chips that had worked before, and owners said turning off Cartridge Protection did not help. HP's answer was that only cartridges with an original HP chip are supported.
Can the document feeder scan both sides of a page?
No. The 50-sheet feeder scans one side only. Printing is two-sided automatically, but two-sided originals have to be flipped by hand.
How long do the cartridges that came in the box last?
HP rates the in-box set at about 1,400 black pages and about 700 color pages, so the colors usually run out first. The 202X cartridges are rated at 3,200 black and 2,500 per color.
Can I plug it into my wired network?
Yes. It has gigabit Ethernet as well as dual-band Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct.
How much paper does it hold, and what sizes?
A 250-sheet main tray plus a 1-sheet priority slot, with sizes from 3 x 5 in up to legal.
Color LaserJet Pro M281fdw quirks worth knowing
- Outside North America the same printer takes HP 203A / 203X (CF540 series) instead of 202A / 202X. If your printer came from abroad, check the number on the old cartridge.
- A "Supply Problem" or "Supply memory error" right after new cartridges go in is a common thread on HP's forum, often reported after a firmware update. Some owners reported that going back to the 20200612 firmware cleared it; HP did not offer that as a fix.
- There is a front USB port for printing from, and scanning to, a flash drive at the printer.
- Fax memory holds up to 1,300 pages, with 120 speed dials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the M281fdw need a separate drum?
No. The imaging drum is built into each HP 202A / 202X cartridge.
Can I mix 202A and 202X cartridges?
Yes. They fit the same slots, so you can use high-yield black with standard colors if you print mostly text.
Can I replace just one color?
Yes. Each color is a separate cartridge.
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.
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.