What Toner Does the HP LaserJet Pro 4101fdw Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all HP 148A & 148X Toner Cartridges – W1480A & W1480X → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
The HP LaserJet Pro 4101fdw is a monochrome laser printer that uses the HP 148A (W1480A) toner cartridge. The cartridge has an integrated drum, so there is no separate drum unit to replace.
CastleScore · October 2026
88/100 — Highly Recommended
HP LaserJet Pro 4101fdw
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 90 | 4.60★ average across 387 ratings at Best Buy (4.6) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 88 | About 1.1¢ per page all-in with our compatible 148X toner with chip (9,500 pages; drum built in). Docked because firmware can reject toner without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (18%) | 86 | Most-reported problems: scan-to-email stops working with app-password SMTP providers on HP LaserJet Pro MFPs; scan-to-email setup in the Embedded Web Server throws nonsensical field validation errors |
| Features (11%) | 87 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 89 | 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. HP and business resellers such as CDW and SHI still list the LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw. The HP+ version is the 4101fdwe.
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 9, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 148X Toner
HP 148A TonerOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP 148A and 148X Toner at a Glance
| Consumable | Part Number | Page Yield | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Toner | HP 148A (W1480A) | ~2,900 pages | Standard |
| Black Toner (high yield) | HP 148X (W1480X) | ~9,500 pages | High yield |
The HP 148A (W1480A) also fits the LaserJet Pro 4001n, 4001dn and 4001dw and the MFP 4101fdn, plus their HP+ versions (4001ne, 4001dne, 4001dwe, MFP 4101fdne and 4101fdwe). The high-yield HP 148X (W1480X, ~9,500 pages) fits the same printers. Both have the imaging drum built in.
How to Replace the Toner
- Power on the HP LaserJet Pro 4101fdw and open the toner access cover.
- Pull the used HP 148A cartridge straight out of the printer.
- Unbox the new cartridge, rock it gently 5–6 times to distribute toner, and remove the protective seal.
- Slide the new HP 148A cartridge in until it clicks into place.
- Close the cover. The printer will recognize the new cartridge automatically.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Non-HP chip" or cartridge warning: The 4101fdw uses HP's dynamic security, which checks the chip on every cartridge. Power-cycle the printer and reseat the cartridge first. Do not update the firmware to fix it: HP says its periodic firmware updates are what keep the blocking of non-HP chips effective. If you use non-HP toner, keep automatic firmware updates turned off.
Faded or streaky prints: Gently rock the toner cartridge side-to-side to redistribute toner, then reinstall.
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 MFP 4101fdw 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.
Will a cheap third-party 148A work in my 4101fdw?
Only if the printer accepts its chip. HP's dynamic security blocks cartridges with non-HP chips, and a firmware update can block a cartridge that worked before. Cartridges that reuse an original HP chip are the safer choice.
How many sheets does the document feeder take, and does it scan both sides?
The feeder holds 50 sheets and scans two-sided originals automatically. Dealer listings describe it as single-pass.
Can I add more paper capacity?
Yes. It holds 350 sheets as standard (a 100-sheet tray plus a 250-sheet tray), and an optional 550-sheet tray takes the total to 900.
How many pages a month is it built for?
HP recommends 750 to 4,000 pages a month, with a maximum duty cycle of 80,000 pages.
Scan to email setup keeps rejecting valid entries. What fixes it?
Owners on HP's forum report that the Embedded Web Server can throw nonsense field errors when you set up scan to email. Turning the printer off and on cleared it.
LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw quirks worth knowing
- The cartridge in the box is listed as a full-yield 148A (about 2,900 pages), not a reduced starter.
- HP also lists a W1020XC high-yield contract cartridge (about 10,000 pages), but it is sold only through HP contract programs, not in stores.
- Two-sided printing barely slows it down: 36 pages a minute against 42 one-sided. Faxes print at up to 10 pages a minute, with memory for 400 fax pages.
- The 4101fdw is not an HP+ printer but still has HP's dynamic security. Its HP+ twin, the 4101fdwe, takes only Original HP toner once HP+ is activated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What toner does the HP LaserJet Pro 4101fdw use?
A: The HP LaserJet Pro 4101fdw uses the HP 148A (W1480A) black toner cartridge.
Q: Does the HP LaserJet Pro 4101fdw have a separate drum unit?
A: No — the drum is built into the HP 148A cartridge, so replacing the toner refreshes the drum at the same time.
Q: Can I use compatible HP 148A cartridges?
A: Yes, with a caveat. HP says the 4101fdw is intended to work only with cartridges that have original HP chips or circuitry, and it blocks cartridges with non-HP chips. Our compatible 148A and 148X carry their own chips, and a dynamic-security printer can reject a cartridge like that, sometimes only after an HP firmware update. Automatic firmware updates are best left off.
Q: How do I reset the toner counter?
A: HP printers detect new cartridges automatically via chip — no manual reset is needed.
Q: Where can I buy HP 148A toner?
A: We sell compatible HP 148A with chip and compatible HP 148X with chip. U.S. orders over $50 ship free, and orders placed by 4 PM ET ship the same day.
Other printers that use HP 148A and 148X toner
HP LaserJet Pro 4001n · HP LaserJet Pro 4001dn · HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw
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 9, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP 148A & 148X Toner Cartridges – W1480A & W1480X? Shop HP 148A & 148X Toner Cartridges – W1480A & W1480X at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.