What Toner Does the HP LaserJet P2035 Use?
Last Updated: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.
CastleScore · October 2026
83/100 — Highly Recommended
HP LaserJet P2035
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 86 | 4.40★ average across 374 ratings at Amazon (4.4) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 93 | About 1.9¢ per page all-in with our compatible 05A toner (2,300 pages; drum built in; the P2035 cannot take 05X). |
| Reliability (18%) | 89 | Most-reported problems: printers no longer detected over USB |
| Features (11%) | 45 | Fast (20+ ppm). No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 90 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough published expert scores for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. HP lists the P2035 (CE461A) as discontinued and names no successor. Compatible 05A toner remains easy to find.
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 05A TonerOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP LaserJet P2035 toner at a glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Page Yield (ISO) | Fits P2035 / P2035n | Fits P2055 series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP 05A | CE505A | 2,300 pages | Yes | Yes |
| HP 05X | CE505X | 6,500 pages | No | Yes |
| In-box starter | CE505A (intro) | ~1,000 pages | Yes | — |
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.
How to replace the toner in a LaserJet P2035
- Press the release on the front and open the top cover.
- Pull the used cartridge straight out by its handle, keeping it level so loose toner does not spill.
- Unpack the new CE505A and rock it gently back and forth five or six times to distribute the toner evenly.
- Pull the orange sealing tab out of the left end of the cartridge in one continuous motion.
- Line the cartridge up with the rails inside the printer and slide it in until it stops.
- 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
| Model | Toner | Networking | Duplex |
|---|---|---|---|
| P2035 | 05A only | Parallel + USB, no network | Manual |
| P2035n | 05A only | Fast Ethernet 10/100 + USB | Manual |
| P2055dn | 05A or 05X | Gigabit Ethernet + USB | Automatic |
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.
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.
What LaserJet P2035 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.
Is there a driver for macOS Sequoia?
Not one from HP that installs cleanly. Owners on HP's forum report HP's Mac package refusing to install on macOS 15.1. A volunteer suggested HP's generic Printer Essentials driver, but no one confirmed it works.
My P2035 disappeared from the print dialog after a Windows 11 update.
HP's community expert points owners to the P2035-series driver on HP's support site. Don't expect new drivers: the same expert says HP typically supports a printer for 6 to 10 years, and the P2035 is well past that.
Can I put a plain P2035 on my network?
Not by itself. The base P2035 has only parallel and USB ports, and HP lists networking as an option through an external HP Jetdirect print server. The P2035n has a network port built in.
LaserJet P2035 quirks worth knowing
- It still has an IEEE 1284 parallel port alongside USB 2.0, which keeps it useful with older PCs and point-of-sale setups.
- The 50-sheet Tray 1 takes heavier paper (up to 43 lb bond) than the 250-sheet Tray 2 (up to 32 lb), so feed card stock from Tray 1.
- HP's datasheet for the P2030 series dates from November 2008, so the P2035 launched in late 2008. That is years before HP's dynamic-security firmware, and there is no cartridge-blocking on this printer.
- Its 16 MB of memory can't be expanded, which is why complex graphics pages are slow to start.
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.
Other printers that use HP 05A 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 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.