What Toner Does the HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw Use?

by Last Updated:

Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said compatible toner with a working chip prints normally on a standard 3001dw. HP says the standard 3001dw also uses dynamic security to block cartridges with non-HP chips, not just the HP+ 3001dwe.

Quick answer: The HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw uses HP 138A (W1380A, ~1,500 pages) or HP 138X high-yield (W1380X, ~4,000 pages) black toner. It does not use HP 148A/148X — that cartridge is for the LaserJet Pro 4001 series. Castle Ink stocks HP 138A with chip and HP 138X with chip.

CastleScore · October 2026

80/100 — Highly Recommended

HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw

Pillar (weight)ScoreWhat it is based on
Owner ratings (28%) 82 4.19★ average across 1,540 ratings at Amazon (4.0), Staples (4.3), Walmart (4.4)
Expert reviews (20%) — No published numeric expert score we could verify.
Cost per page (18%) 84 About 2¢ per page all-in with our compatible 138X toner with chip (4,000 pages; drum built in). Docked because firmware can reject toner without the maker's chip.
Reliability (18%) 84 Most-reported problems: printer stops with paper/attention/toner lights blinking; printer stopped working with three lights flashing
Features (11%) 63 Auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, fast (20+ ppm). No document feeder, no fax, no touchscreen.
Value (5%) 83 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.

Still sold new by HP, alongside the HP+ version, the LaserJet Pro 3001dwe.

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 12, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.

The toner, pictured

Our own compatible toner, photographed in-house.

HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw Toner at a Glance

Cartridge HP Part No. Approx. Page Yield
HP 138A W1380A ~1,500 pages
HP 138X W1380X ~4,000 pages

The LaserJet Pro 3001dw is a print-only monochrome laser with automatic two-sided printing, a 250-sheet tray, and dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB. The HP 138 cartridge is an all-in-one design with the imaging drum built in, so there is no separate drum to buy. New printers ship with an introductory cartridge of roughly 1,000 pages.

Important: HP dynamic security. HP says the standard 3001dw is intended to work only with cartridges that have a new or reused HP chip, and it uses dynamic security to block cartridges with a non-HP chip. Firmware updates can block cartridges that worked before. This applies whether or not HP+ is on. The LaserJet Pro 3001dwe is the HP+ version: if HP+ was activated at setup, it accepts Original HP toner only for the life of the printer, and HP+ can't be turned off afterward. If you use non-HP toner, keep automatic firmware updates off; see how to keep HP firmware updates from blocking your ink.

138A vs. 138X: Which Should You Buy?

The 138X is rated for about 4,000 pages against about 1,500 for the 138A, so you change cartridges far less often. Both cartridges are the same shape and fit the same way. Compare costs at your volume with our printer ink cost calculator.

Buying HP 138A / 138X at Castle Ink

Shop the compatible HP 138X high-yield toner (W1380X) with chip or HP 138A (W1380A) with chip. Both are newly manufactured compatibles with their own chip. Because the 3001dw uses HP dynamic security, we can't promise an HP firmware update won't block them, so keep automatic firmware updates off. Orders placed by 4 PM ET ship the same day, and U.S. orders over $50 ship free. Weighing toner against HP's subscription? Our HP Instant Ink vs. compatible cartridges breakdown covers the math.

How to Replace the Toner in the HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw

  1. Open the front door of the printer.
  2. Grasp the handle on the used toner cartridge and pull it straight out.
  3. Remove the new cartridge from its bag, shake it gently front to back a few times to distribute the toner, and remove any orange packing pieces.
  4. Slide the cartridge into the printer until it is firmly seated.
  5. Close the front door. The printer will recognize the cartridge and is ready to print.

Troubleshooting Tips

"Supply problem," "Unsupported supply" or "Non-HP chip detected": This comes from HP dynamic security, which checks the chip on every cartridge on both the 3001dw and the 3001dwe. Reseat the cartridge, make sure the orange packing pieces are off, and power-cycle the printer. If the message stays, the printer is refusing that chip. On a 3001dwe with HP+ active, only Original HP toner will work. Don't install a firmware update to fix it. See printer says cartridge not recognized.

Low-toner warning but print still looks fine: HP's "Very Low" message appears while usable toner remains. You can keep printing until quality fades.

Faded or light print: Turn off EconoMode in the printer's settings, then gently shake the cartridge. See printer printing faded text.

Toner stopped working after a firmware update: HP says firmware updates can block cartridges with non-HP chips that worked before, and a reset won't reverse that. See how to keep HP firmware updates from blocking your ink and how to reset an HP printer.

Which Other Printers Use HP 138A / 138X?

HP lists 138A/138X for the whole LaserJet Pro 3001 to 3008 series (dn, dw, dne and dwe models, including the 3001dwe) and the LaserJet Pro MFP 3101 to 3108 series (fdn, fdw, fdne and fdwe models). It is not interchangeable with HP 148A/148X, used by the LaserJet Pro 4001n.

What LaserJet Pro 3001dw 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.

How many pages does the toner that ships in the printer last?

HP rates the introductory cartridge at about 1,000 pages. A full 138A is rated at about 1,500 and a 138X at about 4,000.

Is only the 3001dwe locked to HP toner, or the regular 3001dw too?

Both. HP says the regular 3001dw uses dynamic security to block cartridges with non-HP chips, and firmware updates can block cartridges that worked before. HP+ on the 3001dwe adds a stricter lock: Original HP toner only, for the life of the printer.

Does the 3001dw have a screen?

No. It has four buttons (Power, Wireless, Info and Cancel/Resume) and indicator lights. You change settings in the HP Smart app or the printer's embedded web server.

Why does card stock come out dark?

HP suggests choosing Cardstock or Extra Heavy as the paper type, lowering Print Density in the embedded web server (Advanced Settings > System Setup > Print Density) and running Fuser Cleaning Mode under Advanced Settings > Service.

All the lights are blinking and it won't print. What now?

HP's agents recommend a hard reset: unplug the printer for at least 60 seconds. Then check the cartridge area for scraps of paper and press the Info (i) button to print a configuration page.

LaserJet Pro 3001dw quirks worth knowing

  • HP 138A/138X is the number for North America, Australia and New Zealand. The same printers use region-locked equivalents elsewhere: 139A/X in Europe and the UK, 145A/X in Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, and 146A/X in China and India.
  • Wi-Fi is dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) per HP, even though some retailer listings say 2.4 GHz only. The Ethernet port is 10/100.
  • Two-sided printing runs at about 21 pages per minute (Letter), well below the 35 ppm one-sided rating.
  • With no screen, holding the Wireless button for 3 seconds or more starts WPS setup, and the Info button prints a configuration page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw use HP 148A?
No. HP 148A/148X is for the LaserJet Pro 4001/4101 series. The 3001dw uses HP 138A/138X.

Does the 3001dw need a separate drum?
No. The drum is built into the HP 138 toner cartridge.

Does compatible toner void my HP warranty?
No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, HP cannot void your warranty only because you used third-party toner. HP+ is a separate restriction you agree to at setup.

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

Sources

Ratings and prices were checked on October 12, 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.

Written and reviewed by — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry.

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