What Toner Does the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw Use?
Last Updated:The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw uses HP 206A and HP 206X toner cartridges — four separate cartridges in black, cyan, magenta and yellow. Before you buy anything for this printer, read the chip section below: HP sells the M283fdw as a dynamic security printer, intended to work only with cartridges that carry an HP chip.
CastleScore · October 2026
84/100 — Highly Recommended
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 86 | 4.38★ average across 6,577 ratings at Amazon (4.3), Best Buy (4.5) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 71 | About 5.2¢ per page blended (black + color) with our compatible 206X toner (3,150 black / 2,450 color pages). Docked because firmware can reject toner without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (18%) | 90 | No recurring hardware or connection complaints in owner reviews. |
| Features (11%) | 92 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen, fast (20+ ppm). |
| Value (5%) | 78 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough published expert scores for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. HP no longer sells the M283fdw new, apart from certified refurbished units, but still sells its 206A/206X 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 7, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 206X BlackW2110X · ~3,150 pages
HP 206X CyanW2111X · ~2,450 pages
HP 206X MagentaW2113X · ~2,450 pages
HP 206X YellowW2112X · ~2,450 pages
HP 206X Black
HP 206X Cyan
HP 206X Magenta
HP 206X YellowOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw Toner Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. Yield |
|---|---|---|
| HP 206A (W2110A/11A/12A/13A) | Black | ~1,350 pages |
| HP 206A | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~1,250 pages each |
| HP 206X (W2110X/11X/12X/13X) | Black | ~3,150 pages |
| HP 206X | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~2,450 pages each |
Yields are HP's published estimates, measured under ISO/IEC 19798. Photos, graphics and heavy colour fills will use considerably more than that, so treat these as a planning number rather than a promise.
About the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw
- Colour laser all-in-one: print, scan, copy and fax
- 50-page automatic document feeder
- Automatic two-sided printing
- 250-sheet input tray
- Four toner cartridges, no separate drum unit — the drum is built into each cartridge
HP says this printer is intended to work only with cartridges that have a new or reused HP chip, and firmware updates can change which cartridges it accepts. The next section explains what that means when you buy toner.
Firmware and Non-HP Chip Warnings
HP ships firmware on this generation that can reject cartridges whose chip it does not recognise — a policy HP calls dynamic security. A cartridge that worked last month can start throwing a "Non-HP chip detected" or "Supply Problem" message after an automatic update, with no other change.
You can lower the risk: open the printer's embedded web server, turn automatic firmware updates off, and leave them off. That protects a cartridge that already works. It will not make the printer accept a chip it has already rejected. Our guide on how to stop HP firmware updates from blocking your ink walks through it screen by screen. Do this before you install a compatible cartridge, not after.
Standard or XL — Which HP 206A Cartridge Should You Buy?
| Cartridge | Approx. Yield | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| HP 206A (standard) | ~1,350 black / ~1,250 per color | Light color printing |
| HP 206X (high yield) | ~3,150 black / ~2,450 per color | More than double the black pages and nearly double the color. Usually the lower cost per page for regular use |
The high-yield cartridge is almost always the cheaper way to print, because you are paying once for the shell, the chip and the shipping regardless of how much toner is inside it. If you want to see the difference for your own volume, run the numbers through our Printer Ink Cost Calculator.
How to Replace the Toner in the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw
- Power the printer on and wait for it to finish any startup cycle.
- Open the front access door and pull the toner drawer or cartridge straight out by its handle.
- Take the new cartridge out of its packaging and rock it gently end to end five or six times to distribute the toner evenly.
- Remove the orange or clear shipping seal and protective sheet. Do not touch the green drum surface underneath.
- Slide the cartridge back along its rails until it seats with a firm stop, then close the door.
- Print the printer's own colour calibration or status page so the machine registers the new cartridge and re-aligns.
Troubleshooting the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw
"Non-HP chip detected" or "Supply problem". This is HP's cartridge authentication, not a defective cartridge. Turning off automatic firmware updates won't make the printer accept a chip it has already rejected. HP says the printer is designed for cartridges with a new or reused HP chip.
Vertical colour streaks down the page. On the M283 the drum is inside the toner cartridge, so a scratched drum means replacing that one colour cartridge rather than a separate drum unit.
Toner rubbing off finished pages. The fuser is not reaching temperature, usually because the paper type is set to a heavier stock than what is loaded. Match the driver setting to the actual paper.
Pages come out light overall. Check whether EconoMode or toner-save is switched on in the driver. It is enabled by default on a surprising number of office deployments.
Repeating marks at even intervals down the page. Measure the gap between marks. A repeating defect points at a roller or the drum rather than a low cartridge.
Cartridges That Do Not Fit the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw
These come up constantly in mistaken orders. None of them will work in an HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw:
- HP 202A / 202X — Color LaserJet Pro M254 / M281 series
- HP 414A / 414X — Color LaserJet Pro M454 / M479 series
- HP 216A — Color LaserJet Pro M182 / M183 series
What Color LaserJet Pro M283fdw 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.
Is this an HP+ printer? Do I need an HP account?
No, the M283fdw is not an HP+ model. It still has HP dynamic security, though, so the chip on the cartridge matters (see the firmware section above).
How fast does it print?
HP rates it at up to 22 pages per minute in both black and color, with the first page out in about 10.6 seconds in black or 12.1 seconds in color.
Does it work on 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
Yes. HP lists dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz), plus Ethernet and USB.
I have HP 202A toner left over from an M281. Will it fit?
No. HP 202A/202X is for the M254 and M281 series. The M283fdw takes 206A/206X.
Is the M283fdw still sold new?
No. HP marks it as discontinued and now sells only its supplies, plus certified refurbished units.
Color LaserJet Pro M283fdw quirks worth knowing
- The color cartridges that come in the box are rated for only about 700 pages, roughly half a standard 206A, while the black starter matches a full 206A at about 1,350. Expect color to run out first on a new printer.
- HP measures 206A/206X yields under ISO/IEC 19798, a standard set of test pages, not a flat 5% coverage rule. Photos and solid color fills use more.
- HP's recommended monthly volume is only 150 to 2,500 pages, modest for a printer with a 50-page document feeder, fax and 22 ppm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the M283fdw use HP 206A or 206X?
Both fit. The 206A is standard yield and the 206X is high yield — roughly 3,150 black pages versus 1,350.
Does this printer need a separate drum unit?
No. Each HP 206 cartridge contains its own drum, so there is nothing extra to buy.
Will compatible toner work in the M283fdw?
It depends on the chip. HP says this printer is intended to work only with cartridges that have a new or reused HP chip, and firmware updates can block cartridges that worked before. Once you have a cartridge that works, turn off automatic updates.
Is HP 207A the same as HP 206A?
Same toner, different region. HP 207A/207X are the versions of 206A/206X sold in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with the same yields, and HP lists them for this printer. Cartridges can be region-coded, so a U.S. printer may refuse them. In the U.S., buy 206A or 206X.
Can I print in black only when a colour is empty?
The M283fdw will typically stop until every cartridge is present and readable, even for black-only jobs.
How many pages does the HP 206X black give?
About 3,150 pages, by HP's ISO/IEC 19798 rating.
Other printers that use HP 206A and 206X 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 7, 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.