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.
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP LaserJet P2055dn
| 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%) | 96 | About 0.9¢ per page all-in with our compatible 05X toner (6,500 pages; drum built in). |
| Reliability (18%) | 79 | Most-reported problems: multi-feeds / double-picks and jams from Tray 2; '10.1000 Supply Memory Error'; 49 service errors that require power-cycling or firmware reflash |
| 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 or published expert scores 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 no longer sells the P2055dn new. HP 05A and 05X toner is still widely 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 05X Toner
HP 05A TonerOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
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 |
Many owners assume the 05A 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.
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 a feed problem, not a toner problem. Worn pickup rollers and separation pads are the usual cause. If only Tray 2 double-feeds, see the owner question below about the Tray 2 pickup.
- 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.
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
What LaserJet P2055dn 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.
Tray 2 grabs two sheets and jams, but Tray 1 feeds fine. Is it the toner?
No. Technicians point to the Tray 2 pickup path: a sticky pad on the pickup clutch solenoid, or a worn pickup roller or separation pad. The solenoid repair is awkward because it sits in the main drive assembly.
It flashes "10.1000 Supply Memory Error". What does that mean?
The printer can't read the memory chip on the toner cartridge. Reseat the cartridge first. If the error stays, the cartridge's chip is faulty and the cartridge needs replacing.
How much paper does the P2055dn hold?
300 sheets: a 50-sheet multipurpose Tray 1 and a 250-sheet Tray 2. The 500-sheet Tray 3 is an add-on for the dn; it came standard only on the P2055x.
Can I add memory?
Yes. It ships with 128 MB and takes up to 384 MB.
LaserJet P2055dn quirks worth knowing
- HP rates it at 35 pages a minute on letter but 33 on A4, with the first page out in as little as 8 seconds.
- It is print-only, with Gigabit HP Jetdirect Ethernet and USB 2.0 but no Wi-Fi. Automatic two-sided printing is standard.
- The duty cycle is 50,000 pages a month, but HP recommends 750 to 3,000.
- With our compatibles at the prices when we checked ($42.95 for 05A, $59.95 for 05X), the 05X works out to under 1¢ a page, against close to 2¢ for the 05A.
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?
We found no sign of HP dynamic security on the P2055 series. A cartridge with a poorly made chip can trigger a 10.1000 Supply Memory Error, which means the printer can't read the chip, not that it is blocking it. Using third-party supplies does not void the printer warranty in the US.
Other printers that use HP 05A and 05X 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.