What Toner Does the HP LaserJet P2035 Use?

Quick answer: The HP LaserJet P2035 and P2035n use HP 05A black toner, part number CE505A, rated for 2,300 pages. That is the only cartridge HP made for this model — the high-yield 05X (CE505X) does not work in a P2035. The drum is built into the cartridge, so there is no separate drum unit.

That 05X restriction is the single most common ordering mistake on this printer, because the closely related P2055dn does take both sizes. HP's own P2035 datasheet lists exactly one supported cartridge: CE505A.

HP LaserJet P2035 toner at a glance

Note the third row. The cartridge that ships in a new P2035 is a 1,000-page introductory cartridge, not a full 2,300-page one. That is why the first replacement always seems to come around sooner than the spec sheet implies.

Why can't the P2035 take an 05X?

HP simply does not support it: the 05X is listed for the P2055d, P2055dn and P2055x only, and HP's P2035 documentation never mentions it. The widely repeated explanation is that the 05X is a physically taller cartridge that will not seat in the shorter P2035 chassis — plausible, and consistent with how the two cartridges look side by side, though HP has not published that as the reason.

The practical takeaway is the same either way: if you have a P2035, order CE505A. If a seller offers you a "high-yield 05X for the P2035," they are cross-listing the P2055's cartridge.

Castle Ink recommendation

• HP 05A Black Toner Cartridge (CE505A) — Compatible

With a 2,300-page ceiling and no high-yield option, the price per cartridge is the only variable you control on this printer. Browse the full HP compatible toner range for other models.

How to replace the toner in a LaserJet P2035

1. Press the release on the front and open the top cover.
2. Pull the used cartridge straight out by its handle, keeping it level so loose toner does not spill.
3. Unpack the new CE505A and rock it gently back and forth five or six times to distribute the toner evenly.
4. Pull the orange sealing tab out of the left end of the cartridge in one continuous motion.
5. Line the cartridge up with the rails inside the printer and slide it in until it stops.
6. Close the cover and print a configuration page to confirm the printer sees the new supply.

Troubleshooting a P2035

• Jams and multi-feeds. Worn pickup rollers and separation pads are the usual cause on any printer of this vintage, and they are cheap user-replaceable parts. Change them together.
• Faded print. Rock the cartridge to redistribute toner and check that EconoMode is off in the driver. EconoMode is the most common reason a brand-new cartridge looks weak.
• Vertical white stripe. Toner is not reaching part of the drum. Rocking may recover it briefly, but a new cartridge is the real fix.
• "Toner low" much too early. The chip estimates rather than measures. Keep printing until quality drops.
• Slow printing on graphics-heavy jobs. The P2035 has only 16 MB of RAM and a 266 MHz processor. That is a hardware limit, not a fault.
• Cartridge not recognized. The P2035 predates HP's dynamic-security firmware, so there is no cartridge-blocking mechanism. Clean the chip contacts and reseat.

P2035 vs P2035n vs P2055dn

Two things there catch people out. The P2035 has manual duplex only — there is no automatic two-sided printing on either P2035 variant, even though the sibling P2055dn has it. And the base P2035 has no network port at all; only the "n" model does. If you need auto duplex or a bigger cartridge, the P2055dn is the model to look for. See our guide to what toner the HP LaserJet P2055dn uses.

Genuine HP 05A vs compatible toner

The P2035 shipped in 2009, before HP introduced firmware that rejects cartridges with non-HP chips. There is no dynamic security here and no update that added it, so compatible and remanufactured CE505A cartridges install and run normally. Using third-party supplies does not void a printer warranty in the US under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

About the HP LaserJet P2035 itself

The P2035 is a monochrome laser printer — print only, with no scanner, copier or fax. It prints 30 pages per minute on letter with a first page out in around 8 seconds at 600 x 600 dpi (FastRes 1200). Paper handling is 300 sheets across two trays with a 150-sheet output bin, and the duty cycle is 25,000 pages a month.

Product numbers are CE461A for the P2035 and CE462A for the P2035n. Both are discontinued and out of HP support, but they are durable, parts are plentiful, and toner is inexpensive.

FAQ

What toner does the HP LaserJet P2035 use?

HP 05A, part number CE505A, rated for 2,300 pages. It is the only cartridge supported.

Can I use HP 05X in a P2035?

No. The 05X (CE505X) is for the P2055d, P2055dn and P2055x. HP does not list it as compatible with the P2035 or P2035n.

Does the P2035 have automatic duplex?

No — manual duplex only, on both the P2035 and the P2035n. The P2055dn is the model with an automatic duplexer.

Does the P2035 need a separate drum unit?

No. The drum is built into the CE505A cartridge and is replaced with it.

Why did my first cartridge only last 1,000 pages?

New P2035 printers ship with an introductory cartridge rated at roughly 1,000 pages rather than the full 2,300. A replacement CE505A will last more than twice as long.

Will compatible toner cause a firmware block?

No. This printer has no cartridge-blocking firmware.

Shop HP 05A toner now

Order the HP 05A (CE505A) compatible toner cartridge, or find your model on our Find Ink by Printer page.