What Toner Does the HP LaserJet P1606dn Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all HP 78A Toner Cartridges – CE278A & Jumbo → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
Quick answer: The HP LaserJet P1606dn uses the HP 78A (CE278A) black toner cartridge, rated at roughly 2,100 pages. HP never made a genuine high-yield version for this printer, so the 78A (CE278A) is the only cartridge it takes. The imaging drum is built into the cartridge — there is no separate drum to buy.
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP LaserJet P1606dn
| 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%) | 94 | About 1.2¢ per page all-in with our compatible 78A toner (2,100 pages; drum built in). |
| Reliability (18%) | — | Not enough owner complaint data to score. |
| Features (11%) | 52 | Auto two-sided printing, Ethernet. No document feeder, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings, published expert scores or owner complaint data 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's page for the P1606dn points to the LaserJet MFP M140w as the newer model, which is not a like-for-like replacement. The 78A toner is still 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 8, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 78A Toner
HP 78A JumboOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP LaserJet P1606dn Toner Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Type / Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|
| 78A (CE278A) | Black (standard) | ~2,100 pages |
The P1606dn is a network-ready mono laser with automatic duplex, and it has aged well — many are still in service in small offices. It takes a single all-in-one black cartridge, the HP 78A, with the imaging drum built in.
Is There a High-Yield Version?
No — and this is worth being clear about, because you will see listings that suggest otherwise. HP produced only one cartridge for the HP LaserJet P1606dn: the 78A (CE278A), at around 2,100 pages. HP's numbering can mislead here — there is no "78X". The next cartridge up in the range belongs to a different printer family entirely.
If you find a cartridge advertised as a high-yield version for this printer, it is an aftermarket product that has been overfilled rather than an HP part. Some work perfectly well; others overfill the chamber and cause leakage or poor print quality. If you want to try one, buy from a seller with a real replacement guarantee.
To compare running costs against a newer printer, our Printer Ink Cost Calculator will show you the cost per page at any cartridge price.
Good News: There's No Separate Drum to Buy
Unlike most Brother mono lasers, the HP LaserJet P1606dn uses an all-in-one cartridge. The imaging drum is built into the HP 78A (CE278A) itself, so every time you replace the toner you are also fitting a brand-new drum. There is no second consumable to track, no drum-life counter to watch, and no separate part to order.
This matters when you compare running costs across brands. A Brother machine may show a lower price per toner cartridge, but a drum unit comes due every few cartridges on top of that. With the HP LaserJet P1606dn, the cartridge price is the whole story — which also means print quality resets completely with every replacement.
It is also why you should be sceptical of any listing offering a "drum unit" for this printer. If you see one, it is either for a different model or it is a refill kit, and neither is what you want.
Chips and Compatibility
The 78A carries a chip for toner-level reporting. The P1606dn is not an HP+ model, and HP's 78A page describes the chip only in terms of print quality, with no cartridge-blocking language. We sell a compatible 78A for this printer. If the printer shows a non-HP supply message, you can dismiss it and keep printing.
How to Replace the Toner in the HP LaserJet P1606dn
- Open the front cartridge door. On most models this is the panel just above the paper tray.
- Grip the handle on the used cartridge and pull it straight out toward you.
- Take the new HP 78A (CE278A) out of its packaging and rock it gently back and forth several times to loosen the toner inside.
- Pull the orange tab to remove the full length of the sealing tape from the cartridge, then remove the orange protective shield from the drum if one is fitted. Do not touch the green or grey drum surface with your fingers.
- Line the cartridge up with the rails inside the printer and slide it in until it seats firmly.
- Close the door and wait for the printer to finish its calibration cycle.
- Print a configuration or test page to confirm the printer recognises the new cartridge and the supply level has reset.
Keep the packaging for a few days. If the cartridge turns out to be faulty, most sellers — Castle Ink included — will want it returned in its original box.
Troubleshooting Tips
Duplex printing jams or skews: Check the rear duplex path for a scrap of paper from an earlier jam. A jam in the duplex path has nothing to do with the cartridge.
Faded or uneven print: Remove the cartridge and rock it end to end to redistribute toner. If the improvement lasts only a few pages, replace it.
Repeating defects at regular intervals: The drum is inside the 78A, so a repeating mark means the cartridge needs replacing rather than a separate drum.
Printer not found on the network: Print a configuration page by holding the Go button to confirm the IP address. Static IP assignment via your router avoids repeat problems.
Toner does not fuse and smudges: The fuser is wearing out. It is a replaceable part, though on a printer this old the economics are worth thinking about.
Which Other Printers Use the Same Cartridge?
The HP 78A (CE278A) cartridge is used across a wide range of machines, which is good news for buyers — high production volume keeps compatible cartridge prices low and availability high. If you run more than one of these printers, a single cartridge type covers all of them:
- HP LaserJet Pro P1560 series
- HP LaserJet Pro P1566
- HP LaserJet Pro P1600 series
- HP LaserJet Pro P1606dn
- HP LaserJet Pro M1536dnf MFP
Always confirm the cartridge number printed on the supply you are replacing before ordering, since manufacturers occasionally use similar-looking numbers across families. You can also look your machine up on our Find Ink by Printer directory, which lists the correct cartridge for several hundred printers.
What LaserJet P1606dn 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.
Does HP make a high-yield "78X" for this printer?
No. HP lists only the 78A (CE278A, about 2,100 pages, ISO/IEC 19752) and a CE278AD 2-pack of the same cartridge.
Is there a toner cartridge in the box?
Yes, an introductory black cartridge. HP doesn't publish its page yield, but it is not a full 78A, so expect a low-toner warning sooner on a new printer.
Can I add Wi-Fi?
Not built in. The P1606dn has 10/100 Ethernet and USB 2.0, and HP lists wireless only through a separate HP Jetdirect ew2500 print server.
What's the largest paper it takes?
Legal (8.5 x 14 in) in the 250-sheet tray. HP also lists letter, executive, A4, A5, A6, B5, postcards and No. 10 and Monarch envelopes.
How much can it print in a month?
HP rates the duty cycle at up to 8,000 pages a month.
LaserJet P1606dn quirks worth knowing
- Besides the 250-sheet tray there is a 10-sheet priority feed slot, handy for envelopes or letterhead without unloading the main tray.
- There is no display. Status shows only on the control-panel lights.
- HP's product page lists operating-system support only up to Windows 8/7 and Mac OS X 10.4–10.6, a sign of how long ago HP stopped updating it.
- Speed holds up: HP rates it at up to 26 pages per minute on letter paper, with the first page out in as little as 7 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toner does the HP LaserJet P1606dn use? The HP 78A (CE278A) black toner cartridge, rated at approximately 2,100 pages.
Does the P1606dn have a separate drum unit? No. The drum is built into the 78A cartridge, so each replacement includes a new drum.
Will a 78A fit my P1102w? No. The P1102w takes the 85A. The two cartridges look similar but are not interchangeable.
Does compatible toner void my warranty? No. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, using a third-party cartridge does not void a printer warranty in the US.
What other HP printers use the 78A? The 78A also fits the LaserJet Pro M1536dnf, P1560, P1566, P1600 and P1606 series.
Other printers that use HP 78A 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 8, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP 78A Toner Cartridges – CE278A & Jumbo? Shop HP 78A Toner Cartridges – CE278A & Jumbo at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.