Shopping for this printer? See all HP 134A & 134X Toner Cartridges – W1340A & W1340X → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said non-"e" models are unaffected by HP's cartridge checks. HP says the M234sdw uses dynamic security to block cartridges with non-HP chips, with or without HP+. It also listed several printers (M208dw, M211dw, M232dw, M233dw and M236dw) that HP's U.S. 134A page does not include.
The HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw 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.
Shop every size: HP 134A toner cartridges.
Check for an "e" on the end of your model number. If your printer is an M234dwe, M234sdwe or M209dwe, it may have been enrolled in HP+ at setup. HP+ requires Original HP toner for the life of the printer, and the enrollment can't be undone. Non-"e" models such as the M234sdw have no HP+, but HP says they still use dynamic security, which blocks cartridges with non-HP chips.
CastleScore · October 2026
81/100 — Highly Recommended
HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 85 | 4.37★ average across 2,263 ratings at Amazon (4.2), Best Buy (4.6), Staples (4.4), Walmart (4.3), Walmart (4.3) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | 70 | PCMag 3.5/5 |
| 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%) | 86 | Most-reported problems: wi-Fi drops / unstable connection needing HP Smart app to reconnect; cartridge-recognition errors and occasional defective/used units shipped |
| Features (11%) | 81 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, fast (20+ ppm). No fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 84 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $179 |
Still sold new at about $179 at Walmart (sold by HP) and Staples, down from $279.
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 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. page lists the 134A and 134X for 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.
Don't need the scanner? The print-only LaserJet M209dw runs on the same toner; see our HP LaserJet M209dw review for how the two compare.
The M234sdw is the document-feeder model in the M234 line — it adds an automatic document feeder on top of the flatbed, so multi-page copies and scans run unattended. The M234dw is the same machine without the feeder, and both use exactly the same toner. The document feeder is worth knowing about when you are diagnosing print quality: if copies made through the feeder show a thin vertical line but copies from the flatbed glass are clean, the problem is a speck of dust on the narrow ADF scan strip, not the toner cartridge. 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 M234sdw 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 comes from HP dynamic security, not a defect. HP says the M234sdw is intended to work only with cartridges that have a new or reused HP chip, and it blocks cartridges with a non-HP chip. Turning off automatic firmware updates in the printer's web interface does not guarantee a non-HP chip will be accepted. Power-cycle the printer and reseat the cartridge; if the message stays, the printer is refusing that chip.
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 M234sdw 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.
How long does the toner that came in the box last?
HP rates the starter cartridge at about 700 pages, against about 1,100 for a 134A and 2,400 for a 134X, so the first replacement comes sooner than you might expect.
Can it scan both sides of a page automatically?
No. It prints two-sided automatically, but the 40-sheet document feeder scans one side only.
Does it work on 5 GHz Wi-Fi, and can I plug it in by cable?
Yes to both. It has dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi, 10/100 Ethernet and USB 2.0.
Can it fax?
No. The M234sdw prints, copies and scans only.
Does two-sided printing slow it down?
Yes. It prints up to 30 pages per minute one-sided, but about 18–19 images per minute two-sided.
LaserJet MFP M234sdw quirks worth knowing
- The document feeder takes originals up to legal size, but the scanner glass only goes up to letter. Legal originals have to go through the feeder.
- The paper tray holds only 150 sheets, which owners often mention. The output tray holds 100.
- The screen is a 1.6-inch icon display with buttons that light up only when they apply. Many settings live in the HP Smart app instead, and some owners find that awkward.
- The M234sdw itself is not an HP+ model. The HP+ version is sold separately as the M234sdwe, so check the last letter on your printer's label.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What toner does the HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw 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, the M207–M236 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
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 134A & 134X Toner Cartridges – W1340A & W1340X? Shop HP 134A & 134X Toner Cartridges – W1340A & W1340X at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.