What Toner Does the HP LaserJet P1606dn Use?

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.

HP LaserJet P1606dn Toner Cartridges at a Glance

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.

What Actually Ships in the Box

New P1606dn units shipped with an introductory cartridge rated at about 1,000 pages rather than a full 2,100-page 78A. Worth knowing if you have picked one up secondhand and the toner warning appears early.

Chips and Compatibility

The 78A is chipped for toner-level reporting. This model predates HP's Dynamic Security programme, so compatible 78A cartridges install and print without lockouts. If the printer flags a non-genuine supply, you can dismiss the message and carry on.

How to Replace the Toner in the HP LaserJet P1606dn

1. Open the front cartridge door. On most models this is the panel just above the paper tray.
2. Grip the handle on the used cartridge and pull it straight out toward you.
3. Take the new HP 78A (CE278A) out of its packaging and rock it gently back and forth several times to loosen the toner inside.
4. 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.
5. Line the cartridge up with the rails inside the printer and slide it in until it seats firmly.
6. Close the door and wait for the printer to finish its calibration cycle.
7. 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. This is by far the most common P1606dn complaint and 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.

Compatible vs. OEM: What You're Actually Buying

The single biggest cost decision for a HP LaserJet P1606dn owner is whether to buy HP-branded cartridges or compatible ones. It is worth understanding what the difference actually is, because the marketing on both sides tends to obscure it.

An OEM cartridge is made by HP and sold under its brand. A compatible cartridge is newly manufactured by a third party to the same physical and electrical specification. A remanufactured cartridge is an original shell that has been collected, stripped, cleaned, fitted with new wear parts and refilled. All three will print on a HP LaserJet P1606dn; what varies is price, consistency and who stands behind it.

The honest summary is that quality in the compatible market is uneven, and that is exactly why the seller matters more than the label. A cheap cartridge from a marketplace listing with no return path is a gamble. Castle Ink tests HP 78A (CE278A) cartridges individually before they ship and backs every one with a replacement-or-refund guarantee, which is what turns a 50–70% saving from a risk into a straightforward decision.

One myth worth putting to rest: using a compatible cartridge does not void your printer warranty. In the United States, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prevents a manufacturer from conditioning warranty coverage on the use of its own consumables. A manufacturer would have to demonstrate that the third-party cartridge itself caused the specific failure being claimed.

How to Make a Cartridge Last Longer on the HP LaserJet P1606dn

Toner yields are quoted at 5% page coverage, which is a fairly sparse business letter. Real documents are often denser than that, which is why so many people feel their cartridges run out early. A few settings changes genuinely stretch a cartridge:

• Use draft or toner-save mode for internal documents. It reduces toner density and can extend a cartridge noticeably. Reserve full-quality output for anything leaving the office.
• Print duplex. It does not save toner, but it halves paper use, and on most machines it is a one-time driver setting.
• Rock the cartridge when the low warning first appears. Removing the cartridge and tilting it gently end to end redistributes the remaining powder and commonly yields another hundred pages or more.
• Do not print a test page after every job. Configuration and status pages are full-coverage prints and add up faster than people expect.
• Choose a smaller, lighter font for drafts. Moving from a 12pt heavy serif to an 11pt lighter face measurably reduces coverage across a long document.

Ignore advice to store cartridges in a freezer or to drill and refill them yourself. Neither helps, and both are good ways to ruin a cartridge and make a mess.

Official HP LaserJet P1606dn Resources

• HP LaserJet P1606dn support page
• HP driver and software downloads
• How to stop HP firmware updates from blocking your ink
• How to recycle used cartridges

Bottom Line

The P1606dn earns its keep: duplex, Ethernet, and a single inexpensive cartridge with the drum built in. The HP 78A is one of the most widely stocked compatible cartridges on the market, so replacements are cheap and easy. There is no drum to budget for and no Dynamic Security to work around.

Frequently Asked Questions

What toner does the HP LaserJet P1606dn use? The HP 78A (CE278A) black toner cartridge, rated at approximately 2,100 pages.

Is there a high-yield version of the 78A? Not a genuine HP one. Any cartridge marketed as a high-yield 78A is an aftermarket overfill rather than an HP part.

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.

Why does the printer say toner is low almost immediately? If the printer is new to you, it may still hold the ~1,000-page introductory cartridge rather than a full 78A.

Written and reviewed by William Elward — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer and ink industry. Last updated August 2026.

Shop Compatible Toner at Castle Ink

Save 50–70% on replacement toner for the HP LaserJet P1606dn. Every cartridge is individually tested before it ships and backed by Castle Ink's compatibility guarantee — if it does not work in your printer, we replace it or refund you.

• HP 78A (CE278A) black toner (compatible)
• Shop all HP toner at Castle Ink

Buy the HP LaserJet P1606dn on Amazon: HP LaserJet P1606dn on Amazon

See also: Find Ink by Printer | Printer Ink Cost Calculator | Best Printers Buying Guide