What Toner Does the HP LaserJet 1320 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP LaserJet 1320 uses HP 49A (Q5949A) standard-yield black toner or HP 49X (Q5949X) high-yield black toner. Both fit every 1320 variant — 1320, 1320n, 1320tn and 1320nw — and the imaging drum is built into the cartridge, so there is no separate drum to buy.
One important caveat if you also own a LaserJet 1160: that model accepts the 49A only. The 49X is physically longer and is a 1320-series cartridge.
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP LaserJet 1320
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 97 | About 0.8¢ per page all-in with our compatible HP 49X (6,000 pages; drum built in). |
| Reliability (18%) | 74 | Most-reported problems: paper pickup problems as the pickup roller wears; duplexer failures on the 1320's built-in duplex unit; printer feeding blank pages nonstop, and paper getting stuck in the single-sheet priority slot |
| Features (11%) | 59 | Auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, fast (20+ ppm). No document feeder, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
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. HP stopped making the 1320 series long ago, but HP 49A and 49X toner, genuine and compatible, is still easy to buy.
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 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 49X Toner
HP 49A TonerOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP 49A vs 49X at a glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Page Yield (ISO) | Fits LaserJet 1320 | Fits LaserJet 1160 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP 49A | Q5949A | 2,500 pages | Yes | Yes |
| HP 49X | Q5949X | 6,000 pages | Yes | No |
| HP 49X Dual Pack | Q5949XD | 2 x 6,000 pages | Yes | No |
Both are ISO/IEC 19752 figures at 5% coverage. The 1320 ships with a 49A from the factory, which is why many owners never realize the 49X exists.
Should you buy 49A or 49X?
The 49X holds well over twice the toner of the 49A but sells for far less than twice the price, so cost per page favors it strongly. On a printer with a built-in duplexer that is often shared across a small office, fewer cartridge changes is a real benefit too.
Stay with the 49A if the printer is lightly used, if you also keep a LaserJet 1160 and want one cartridge that covers both, or if the machine is close to retirement.
How to replace the toner in a LaserJet 1320
- Open the print-cartridge door at the front of the printer.
- Take hold of the cartridge handle and lift it straight up and out.
- Unpack the new Q5949A or Q5949X and rock it gently from side to side five or six times to distribute the toner.
- Bend the tab on the left end of the cartridge until it breaks free, then pull the sealing tape all the way out.
- Lower the cartridge into the printer, aligning it with the guides, until it seats firmly.
- Close the door and print a configuration page from the control panel to confirm.
Troubleshooting a LaserJet 1320
- Faded print or a light band. Rock the cartridge to redistribute toner and confirm EconoMode is turned off in the driver. On a machine of this age, also check the transfer roller for wear.
- Paper jams and multi-feeds. The pickup roller and separation pad harden with age and are the leading cause of feed problems on the 1160/1320 chassis. Both are inexpensive user-replaceable parts.
- Duplex jams. The 1320's duplexer routes paper back through the rear. Make sure the rear output door is closed for duplexing, and avoid heavy or curled stock.
- Repeating marks down the page. The drum lives in the cartridge, so a repeating defect is a cartridge issue and a replacement resolves it.
- Persistent "toner low" on a nearly full cartridge. Estimation, not measurement. Keep printing until quality drops.
- Cartridge does not seem to be recognized. There is no cartridge-blocking firmware on this printer. Clean the contacts and reseat.
Which printers use HP 49A and 49X toner?
- LaserJet 1320, 1320n, 1320tn, 1320nw — 49A or 49X
- LaserJet 1160 and 1160Le — 49A only
- LaserJet 3390 and 3392 all-in-one — 49A or 49X
What LaserJet 1320 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.
Which 1320 models have networking or wireless?
The base 1320 has USB 2.0 and a parallel port. The 1320n and 1320tn add 10/100 Ethernet, and the 1320nw adds Ethernet plus 802.11b/g wireless.
How many sheets does the priority slot take?
One. Tray 1 is a single-sheet priority slot that takes one sheet (up to 163 g/m²) or one envelope. The main tray holds 250 sheets.
Can I add a second paper tray?
Yes. HP's optional 250-sheet tray is Q5931A. The 1320tn already comes with it.
How much memory does it have, and can I add more?
It ships with 16 MB and takes up to 144 MB through one memory slot.
How many pages a month can it handle?
HP rates the duty cycle at up to 10,000 pages a month. That is a ceiling, not an everyday target.
LaserJet 1320 quirks worth knowing
- The 1320 shares its chassis with the LaserJet 1160, which has no duplexer. Repair parts and repair guides are shared between the two.
- HP's "instant-on" fusing means there is no warm-up wait: HP rates the first page at under 8 seconds whether the printer is cold or warm.
- The model numbers help when you buy a used unit or parts: 1320 is Q5927A, 1320n Q5928A, 1320nw Q5929A and 1320tn Q5930A.
- iFixit's repair pages for this chassis cover worn pickup rollers, duplexer failures (gears, solenoid and circuit board) and fuser replacement. On a printer this age, those are the parts that wear out, not the toner.
FAQ
What toner does the HP LaserJet 1320 use?
HP 49A (Q5949A, 2,500 pages) or HP 49X (Q5949X, 6,000 pages) black toner.
Can I use a 49X in a LaserJet 1160?
No. The 1160 accepts the 49A only. The 49X is a longer cartridge designed for the 1320 chassis.
Does the LaserJet 1320 need a separate drum?
No. The drum is integrated into the toner cartridge.
Is HP 49A the same as HP 53A?
No. HP 53A (Q7553A) is for the LaserJet P2015 series and is not interchangeable with the 49A.
Will compatible toner cause problems on a 1320?
No. This printer has no cartridge-blocking firmware, and using third-party supplies does not void a printer warranty in the US.
Is the LaserJet 1320 still worth keeping?
For plain monochrome document printing, often yes. It duplexes, it is fast enough for most small offices, and 6,000-page compatible toner keeps the cost per page very low. The limitations are age-related wear parts and no modern mobile printing support.
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Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 10, 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.