What Toner Does the HP LaserJet P2055dn Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP LaserJet P2055dn uses HP 05A (CE505A) standard-yield black toner or HP 05X (CE505X) high-yield black toner. The drum is built into the cartridge, so there is no separate drum unit to buy or reset.
One thing to get right before you order: the P2055 family supports both 05A and 05X, but the closely related P2035 supports only the 05A. If you run both models in one office, they are not fully cross-stockable.
HP 05A vs 05X at a glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Page Yield (ISO) | Fits P2055dn | Fits P2035 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP 05A | CE505A | 2,300 pages | Yes | Yes |
| HP 05X | CE505X | 6,500 pages | Yes | No |
| HP 05X Dual Pack | CE505XD | 2 x 6,500 pages | Yes | No |
The P2055dn ships from the factory with a CE505A, which is why so many owners assume that is the only option. It is not — the 05X nearly triples the yield in the same slot.
Should you buy 05A or 05X?
On cost per page the 05X wins by a wide margin: 6,500 pages against 2,300, for nowhere near three times the price. For a networked office printer that is being shared, the 05X also means far fewer interruptions.
The 05A still makes sense for a lightly used machine, or where a printer is about to be retired and you do not want to leave value sitting in a half-used cartridge.
Castle Ink recommendation
- HP 05A Black Toner Cartridge (CE505A) — Compatible
- HP 05X Black Toner Cartridge (CE505X) — High-Yield Compatible
The P2055dn is long out of production but still extremely common, and OEM toner for it has never really come down in price. Compatible cartridges are where the savings are. See the whole HP compatible toner range.
How to replace the toner in a LaserJet P2055dn
- Open the top cover of the printer by pressing the release on the front.
- Pull the used cartridge straight out by its handle. Keep it level — a cartridge tipped on end can spill.
- Unpack the new cartridge and rock it gently back and forth five or six times so the toner settles evenly.
- Pull the orange sealing tab out of the left end of the cartridge in one continuous motion.
- Align the cartridge with the rails and push it in until it stops.
- Close the cover and print a configuration page to confirm the printer sees the new supply.
Troubleshooting a P2055dn
- Multi-feeds, skewed pages, repeated jams. This is the classic P2055 failure and it is almost always the pickup roller and separation pad. Both are cheap and take minutes to swap. Do them together.
- Faded print across the whole page. Rock the cartridge to redistribute toner, then check that EconoMode is disabled in the driver. If it is still faint on a fresh cartridge, look at the transfer roller.
- Vertical white line. Toner is not reaching part of the drum. Rocking sometimes recovers it temporarily; a new cartridge is the real fix.
- "Toner low" appearing far too early. The chip on this generation estimates rather than measures. The message is advisory — keep printing until quality drops.
- Duplex jams. The P2055dn duplexes through the rear. Check that the rear door is fully closed and that you are not feeding paper heavier than the duplexer is rated for.
Which printers use HP 05A and 05X toner?
- LaserJet P2035 and P2035n — 05A only
- LaserJet P2055, P2055d, P2055dn, P2055x — 05A or 05X
- LaserJet Pro 400 M401 and MFP M425 use HP 80A/80X — a different cartridge despite the family resemblance
Genuine HP 05X vs compatible toner
The P2055dn was released in 2008, years before HP started shipping firmware that blocks cartridges with non-HP chips. There is no dynamic security on this platform and no update that added it, so compatible and remanufactured CE505A/CE505X cartridges install and run normally.
As with the P3015, the practical risk on a printer this old and this popular is counterfeit "genuine" cartridges rather than lockouts. A clearly labeled compatible from a known supplier is more predictable than a marketplace listing claiming OEM stock at half price.
About the HP LaserJet P2055dn itself
The P2055dn is a monochrome laser printer — print only, with no scanner or copier. It prints 35 pages per minute on letter with a first page out in about 8 seconds, and includes automatic two-sided printing as standard. Networking is built-in Gigabit HP Jetdirect Ethernet plus Hi-Speed USB 2.0; there is no wireless option on this model.
It carries 128 MB of RAM expandable to 384 MB, a 250-sheet main tray plus a 50-sheet multipurpose tray, and a 50,000-page monthly duty cycle with 750 to 3,000 recommended. HP support for it ended long ago, but the hardware is durable and parts remain easy to find.
FAQ
What toner does the HP LaserJet P2055dn use?
HP 05A (CE505A, 2,300 pages) or HP 05X (CE505X, 6,500 pages).
Can I put an 05X in a P2035?
No. The P2035 accepts the 05A only. The P2055 series accepts both.
Does the P2055dn have a separate drum unit?
No — the drum is integrated into the toner cartridge and is replaced with it.
Is HP 05A the same as HP 80A?
No. HP 80A (CF280A) is for the LaserJet Pro 400 M401 series and is not interchangeable with 05A.
Will a compatible cartridge trigger a firmware block?
No. The P2055dn has no cartridge-blocking firmware, and using third-party supplies does not void the printer warranty in the US.
My P2055dn keeps jamming. Is that the toner?
Almost never. Check the pickup roller and separation pad first — worn feed parts cause the overwhelming majority of jams on this model.
Shop HP 05A and 05X toner now
Order the HP 05A (CE505A) or the high-yield HP 05X (CE505X), or look up your printer on our Find Ink by Printer page.
An independent 0–100 score for every printer, refreshed monthly from thousands of owner reviews and expert tests — plus what the ink or toner actually costs to run. See this month's Top 10 inkjet and laser rankings, or use the PrinterIQ™ finder.
See the CastleScore rankings →