What Toner Does the HP LaserJet Pro 400 M401dn Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all HP 80A & 80X Toner Cartridges – CF280A & CF280X → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
The HP LaserJet Pro 400 M401dn is a monochrome laser printer that uses the HP 80A (CF280A) standard-yield toner cartridge or the HP 80X (CF280X) high-yield toner cartridge. The cartridge has an integrated drum, so there is no separate drum unit to replace.
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP LaserJet Pro 400 M401dn
| 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%) | 97 | About 0.6¢ per page all-in with our compatible 80X toner (6,900 pages; drum built in). |
| Reliability (18%) | 82 | Most-reported problems: repeated paper jams; trays stop picking up paper or show a 'no paper in pickup' style error even after new rollers/pads; unit powers on then shuts off, reboots or drops USB/network: owners suspect the formatter board or power supply |
| Features (11%) | 62 | Auto two-sided printing, Ethernet, touchscreen, fast (20+ ppm). No document feeder, no fax. |
| 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. The M401dn is now sold only refurbished. HP 80A and 80X toner is still easy to find, in genuine and compatible versions.
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 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 80X Toner
HP 80A TonerOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP 80A & 80X Toner at a Glance
| Consumable | Part Number | Page Yield | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Toner | HP 80A (CF280A) | ~2,700 pages | Standard |
| Black Toner | HP 80X (CF280X) | ~6,900 pages | High Yield |
The HP 80A/80X (CF280A/CF280X) is also compatible with other HP models including the HP LaserJet Pro 400 M401a, M401d, M401dne, M401dw, M401n, MFP M425dn, and MFP M425dw, making it a high-volume cartridge family that is widely stocked in genuine, remanufactured, and compatible versions.
How to Replace the Toner
- Open the front cover of the printer.
- Pull out the used HP 80A or 80X cartridge.
- Unbox the new cartridge, rock it gently 5–6 times to distribute toner, and remove the protective seal.
- Slide the new cartridge in until it clicks into place.
- Close the cover. The printer will recognize the new cartridge automatically.
Troubleshooting Tips
- "Replace Toner" or low-toner warning: HP cartridges report the toner level through a chip. If a new cartridge isn't recognized, take it out, make sure the seal and all packing material are off, reseat it firmly, and power-cycle the printer.
- Faded or streaky prints: Gently rock the toner cartridge side-to-side to redistribute toner, then reinstall. Run the printer's built-in cleaning page from the maintenance menu to clear fuser residue.
- Print quality declining over time: Because the drum is integrated, replacing the toner cartridge installs a fresh drum at the same time — no separate drum service required.
- Paper jams or smudges: Inspect the paper path and pickup roller for wear. Replacing worn rollers and keeping the printer dust-free prevents repeated print-quality issues.
What LaserJet Pro 400 M401dn 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.
Does the M401dn print on both sides without me flipping pages?
Yes. Automatic two-sided printing is standard on the dn. The M401n is the version without it.
Can I print to it over Wi-Fi?
Not directly. The M401dn has Gigabit Ethernet and USB only; the M401dw is the wireless model. Plug it into your router and phones and laptops on the same network can print to it, including through AirPrint.
How much paper does it hold?
300 sheets: a 50-sheet multipurpose tray plus a 250-sheet main tray. The optional 500-sheet Tray 3 (CF284A) takes it to 800.
It jams on every job, even with a new cartridge. What should I check?
Look at where the page stops. At the tray it is usually a worn pickup roller, under the cartridge the drum drive, and at the exit the fuser.
Should I buy the 80A or the 80X?
Both fit the same slot. The 80X is rated for 6,900 pages against 2,700 for the 80A, so it costs less per page if you print regularly.
LaserJet Pro 400 M401dn quirks worth knowing
- The dn has a 3.5-inch color touchscreen. The cheaper M401n has only a 2-line LCD.
- There is a walk-up USB port on the front for printing straight from a flash drive, separate from the USB port you'd use to connect a computer.
- It has 256 MB of memory, twice the M401n's 128 MB, with the same 800 MHz processor.
- HP rates it at 35 pages a minute on letter paper but 33 on A4, which is why U.S. and European spec sheets disagree.
Other printers that use HP 80A and 80X 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 10, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP 80A & 80X Toner Cartridges – CF280A & CF280X? Shop HP 80A & 80X Toner Cartridges – CF280A & CF280X at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.