What Toner Does the HP LaserJet MFP M234dw Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said non-"e" models are unaffected by HP's cartridge restrictions and suggested turning off firmware updates before fitting a compatible cartridge. HP says this printer family uses dynamic security to block cartridges with non-HP chips, on the plain M234dw as well as the "e" models, and turning off updates doesn't change that.
The HP LaserJet MFP M234dw is a monochrome laser all-in-one that uses the HP 134A (W1340A) or HP 134X (W1340X) toner cartridge. There is no separate drum unit on this series — the imaging drum is built into the cartridge.
HP says this printer family uses dynamic security to block cartridges with non-HP chips. That applies to the plain M234dw, not just the "e" models, and a firmware update can block a cartridge that worked before. If your printer is an M234dwe or M234sdwe, it may also have been enrolled in HP+ at setup, which locks it to Original HP toner. Cartridges with an HP chip, new or reused, are the safer choice.
CastleScore · October 2026
81/100 — Highly Recommended
HP LaserJet MFP M234dw
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 84 | 4.30★ average across 188 ratings at Walmart (4.3) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | 80 | PCMag (M234dwe) 4.0/5 |
| Cost per page (18%) | 83 | About 2.3¢ per page all-in with our compatible 134X toner (2,400 pages; drum built in). Docked because firmware can reject toner without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (18%) | 81 | Most-reported problems: after HP firmware 20250209 many M232-M237 printers showed Error 11 and rejected even genuine HP toner; wi-Fi drops needing the HP Smart app to reconnect |
| Features (11%) | 73 | Print, copy, scan, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, fast (20+ ppm). No document feeder, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 79 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $214 |
Still sold new at about $215 at Micro Center when we checked. There is also an HP+ version, the M234dwe.
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 134X Toner
HP 134A TonerOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP 134A / 134X Toner at a Glance
| Consumable | Part Number | Page Yield | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Toner (standard) | HP 134A (W1340A) | ~1,100 pages | Standard |
| Black Toner (high-yield) | HP 134X (W1340X) | ~2,400 pages | High Yield |
| Imaging Drum | Built into the cartridge | — | No separate drum to buy |
HP's U.S. list for the 134A and 134X covers the LaserJet M207dw, M209d, M209dw and M209dwe, plus the LaserJet MFP M234dw, M234dwe, M234sdw, M234sdwe and M235sdw. There is no separate drum in this family — the imaging drum is built into the cartridge, so a new cartridge is a new drum.
The M234dw is the flatbed model in the M234 line: print, copy and scan from the glass, with Wi-Fi and automatic two-sided printing. Its sibling the M234sdw adds a 40-sheet document feeder. Supplies are identical across both. Because the drum is inside the cartridge on this series, there is no separate drum part to buy and no "replace drum" message to worry about — a welcome simplification compared with the older M203 / M227 machines, which need a standalone HP 32A drum. Region note: HP sells this cartridge by region. The 134A and 134X are the North American (DM1) versions sold in the United States and Canada. The identical printer sold in Europe takes 135A / 135X, and other regions use 136A / 136X or 137A / 137X. A European cartridge will physically fit a U.S. printer and then be rejected by the chip, so buy the family that matches where the printer was purchased.
How to Replace the Toner
- Power on the HP LaserJet MFP M234dw and open the front cartridge door.
- Pull the used 134A or 134X cartridge straight out by its handle.
- Unbox the new cartridge, rock it gently 5–6 times end to end, and remove the protective sealing tape.
- Slide the new cartridge in along the rails until it seats and the door closes without resistance.
- Close the door. The printer detects the new cartridge and resets the level gauge automatically.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Non-HP chip detected" or a cartridge-error message: This printer uses dynamic security, so it can refuse a cartridge with a non-HP chip, and a later firmware update can block one that worked before. Turning off automatic updates won't make a non-HP-chip cartridge acceptable. Reseat the cartridge and power-cycle the printer; if it's still refused, use a cartridge with an HP chip. Don't install a firmware update to try to fix the message.
A grey background or smudging across the whole page: On this series the drum is inside the cartridge, so a worn drum and an empty cartridge have the same fix — replace the cartridge.
Print is faded but the gauge shows toner left: Remove the cartridge and rock it side to side to redistribute the toner. This buys real pages at the end of a cartridge's life.
The printer rejects a brand-new cartridge outright: Check the region family. A 135A, 136A or 137A cartridge fits the same slot but will not be accepted by a North American printer.
What LaserJet MFP M234dw 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.
After a firmware update my M234dw shows Error 11 and won't take a genuine HP cartridge. Can I go back to the old firmware?
No. HP staff said the firmware can't be rolled back. The problem came from an HP firmware for the M232–M237 series in March 2025, and HP released a fix about two weeks later. If your printer still shows Error 11 with genuine HP toner, contact HP.
It's not an "e" model. Will any compatible toner work?
Not reliably. HP says this family is meant to work only with cartridges that have a new or reused HP chip, and it blocks cartridges with non-HP chips whether or not the printer is enrolled in HP+. A firmware update can also block a cartridge that worked before.
How long will the cartridge that came with the printer last?
It's rated at about 700 pages, well short of a retail 134A (about 1,100) or 134X (about 2,400).
Can I scan a stack of pages?
Not on the M234dw. It has a flatbed only. The M234sdw adds a 40-sheet document feeder.
Does it print on legal paper?
Yes. The tray takes legal (8.5 × 14 in) paper and envelopes, but the flatbed scanner only takes originals up to letter or A4.
LaserJet MFP M234dw quirks worth knowing
- It sets up over Bluetooth LE from the HP app, and connects by dual-band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, 10/100 Ethernet or USB.
- The display is a tiny 1.27-inch icon LCD, so most settings are done in the HP app or the printer's web page.
- The input tray holds just 150 sheets, with a 100-sheet output bin.
- HP recommends 200 to 2,000 pages a month. The 20,000-page duty cycle is a maximum, not a target.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What toner does the HP LaserJet MFP M234dw use?
A: The HP 134A (W1340A) at roughly 1,100 pages, or the HP 134X (W1340X) at roughly 2,400 pages. Both are black.
Q: Does this printer have a separate drum unit?
A: No. Unlike the older M203 and M227 series, these printers build the imaging drum into the toner cartridge, so there is nothing extra to order.
Q: What is the difference between the 134A and the 134X?
A: Capacity only. They fit the same printers; the 134X holds more than twice the toner and costs less per printed page.
Q: Why won't a 135A or 136A cartridge work?
A: Those are the European and other-region versions of the same cartridge. HP region-codes the chip, so a U.S. or Canadian printer only accepts the 134 family.
Other printers that use HP 134A and 134X toner
HP LaserJet M209dw · HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw
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.