What Toner Does the HP LaserJet 3050 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP LaserJet 3050 all-in-one (and the 3050z) uses the HP 12A black toner cartridge, Q2612A, rated for about 2,000 pages. The drum is built into the cartridge. Castle Ink stocks a compatible HP 12A and a 4,000-page 12A jumbo.
HP never made a genuine "12X". Any Q2612X you see is a higher-capacity compatible, which is what our jumbo is.
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP LaserJet 3050
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use: the printer has been off sale for years. |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | Reviewed by TechRadar in 2006, without a numeric score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 88 | About 2¢ per page with our compatible HP 12A (2,000 pages), or 1.5¢ with the 4,000-page jumbo. Black only. |
| Reliability (18%) | 70 | Most-reported problems: scanning stops working on newer Windows and macOS versions; paper pickup wear on older units |
| Features (11%) | 50 | Print, copy, scan (document feeder only, no glass), fax, USB. No network, no automatic two-sided printing. |
| Value (5%) | 70 | Very low running cost on an aging machine |
Limited data: We could find neither enough owner ratings nor a numeric expert score for the 3050, so we cap it at 69 (Situational) under our methodology.
Discontinued. HP announced the 3050 in 2006 and stopped selling it years ago. HP 12A toner is still widely sold.
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 14, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 12A
HP 12A JumboOur own compatible toner.
What Toner Does the HP LaserJet 3050 Take?
| Cartridge | Part no. | Approx. yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 12A black toner | Q2612A | ~2,000 pages | Compatible HP 12A |
| High-capacity compatible (no HP equivalent) | Q2612X | ~4,000 pages | Compatible 12A Jumbo |
The 2,000-page figure is HP's ISO rating. HP 12A has no separate drum: each new cartridge brings a fresh one.
Is a Compatible 12A Worth It?
On October 14, 2026, Quill listed the genuine HP 12A at $126.99, about 6.3¢ a page. Our compatible 12A is $39.95 (about 2¢ a page), and the 4,000-page jumbo is $59.95 (about 1.5¢ a page). We found no reports of the 3050 rejecting compatible toner; it doesn't use the chip checks of newer HP printers.
How Do I Replace the Toner in the HP LaserJet 3050?
- Open the print-cartridge door on the front of the printer.
- Pull the old cartridge straight out.
- Rock the new cartridge gently side to side to spread the toner.
- Pull the sealing tape out completely.
- Slide the cartridge in until it seats, then close the door.
Which Other Printers Use HP 12A?
The LaserJet 1020, 1018, 1022, 1010, 1012 and 1015, the 3015, 3020, 3030, 3052 and 3055, and the M1005 and M1319f all take HP 12A.
What LaserJet 3050 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, HP's support community and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Is there a Windows 10 or 11 driver?
For printing, yes: HP's community points 3050 owners to HP's PCL6 driver, and Windows Update often installs a basic driver. Scanning on newer Windows is less reliable, and HP treats the model as obsolete.
Can I scan a book or a single page from glass?
No. The 3050 scans only through its 30-sheet document feeder. The 3052 and 3055 have a flatbed.
Does it print two-sided automatically?
No. Two-sided printing is manual, with the driver telling you when to flip the stack.
Can I put it on Wi-Fi or a network?
Not directly. The 3050 connects by USB only; an external HP Jetdirect print server is the only network option.
Is there a high-yield HP cartridge?
No. HP only made the 2,000-page 12A. Higher-capacity cartridges are compatibles.
LaserJet 3050 quirks worth knowing
- HP announced the 3050 in 2006, and it has been off sale for many years.
- It prints at about 19 pages a minute on letter paper and faxes at 33.6 kbps.
- It has a 250-sheet tray plus a 10-sheet priority slot, and a 2-line backlit display.
- HP rates its duty cycle at up to 7,000 pages a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toner does the HP LaserJet 3050 use?
HP 12A, part number Q2612A, rated for about 2,000 pages.
Is there an HP 12X?
No. HP never made one. Q2612X cartridges are higher-capacity compatibles, such as our 4,000-page jumbo.
Does the LaserJet 3050 need a separate drum?
No. The drum is built into every 12A cartridge.
Other printers that use HP 12A
HP LaserJet 1020 · HP LaserJet 1018 · HP LaserJet 1022 · HP LaserJet 3015
More HP ink guides: HP LaserJet Pro M404dn · HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Brother HL-L2460DW — CastleScore 90
- Brother MFC-L2820DW — CastleScore 90
- Brother HL-L5210DW — CastleScore 89
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 14, 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.