What Toner Does the HP LaserJet Pro M102w Use?

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Quick answer: The HP LaserJet Pro M102w uses the HP 17A (CF217A) black toner cartridge, rated at about 1,600 pages, plus a separate HP 19A (CF219A) imaging drum rated at about 12,000 pages.

The toner and the drum are two different parts. When the printer asks for toner, you replace only the 17A; the 19A drum stays in the printer through roughly seven toner cartridges. Castle Ink sells a compatible 17A and a higher-capacity 17A Jumbo; we do not stock the 19A drum.

CastleScore · October 2026

73/100 — Recommended

HP LaserJet Pro M102w (Scored on HP LaserJet Pro M102w ratings)

Pillar (weight)ScoreWhat it is based on
Owner ratings (28%) 82 4.2★ average across 36 reviews at Best Buy (small sample)
Expert reviews (20%) — No published numeric expert score we could verify.
Cost per page (18%) 80 About 2.7¢ per page all in: 1.9¢ with our compatible HP 17A Jumbo toner (4,000 pages) plus about 0.8¢ for HP's 19A drum (12,000 pages).
Reliability (18%) 68 Most-reported problems: firmware updates that leave the printer unresponsive; short Wi-Fi range; confusion over the separate drum
Features (11%) 50 Print only, up to 23 ppm, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and USB with AirPrint, 150-sheet tray plus 10-sheet priority slot. No screen, no Ethernet, no auto duplex.
Value (5%) 70 Running cost and owner satisfaction for a basic print-only laser

Limited data: We could not find a published numeric expert score for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars; owner ratings are a small sample.

Hard to find new. Best Buy lists the M102w as no longer available new; it sells used or refurbished. HP 17A toner and 19A drums are 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 30, 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.

What Toner Does the HP M102w Take?

Cartridge HP part no. Approx. yield Castle Ink option
HP 17A Black toner CF217A ~1,600 pages Castle Ink HP 17A, $59.95
HP 17A Black toner, jumbo (Castle Ink size) CF217A ~4,000 pages Castle Ink HP 17A Jumbo, $75.95
HP 19A imaging drum (separate part) CF219A ~12,000 pages Amazon

The 17A and 19A yields are HP's figures as listed by Staples, 4inkjets and Ink Technologies; the 4,000-page rating applies to our jumbo cartridge only, since HP makes no high-yield 17A. Amazon links are tagged (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases).

What Does M102w Toner Cost per Page?

On October 30, 2026, Staples listed HP's 17A at $93.99 and 4inkjets at $81.99, about 5.1¢ to 5.9¢ a page. Our compatible 17A is $59.95 (about 3.7¢ a page) and our 17A Jumbo is $75.95 (about 1.9¢ a page). Budget for the drum too: 4inkjets listed HP's 19A at $95.99 and Ink Technologies at $101.95, which adds about 0.8¢ a page over its 12,000-page life.

Will Compatible Toner Work?

Generally, yes. HP sells the 17A with a chip and "anti-fraud" technology, and HP can change how the printer checks chips through firmware updates, as it has done on other LaserJets with its Dynamic Security feature. We could not find an HP list that names the M102w as Dynamic Security enabled, or owner reports of a firmware update blocking compatible 17A cartridges in this model, so we can't promise either way. The safe course is to leave automatic firmware updates off. On this model that also protects you from a separate problem: owners on HP's forum report updates that stopped partway and left the printer unresponsive until HP walked them through a full reset. The M102w is not an HP+ printer, so it is not locked to HP toner for life.

If a compatible 17A is not recognized, take it out, make sure the protective cover is off, wipe the chip contacts, and reseat it firmly. A drum warning is a separate message about the 19A, not the toner.

How Do I Replace the Toner in the M102w?

  1. Open the top cover.
  2. Grip the toner cartridge by its handle and pull it out. Leave the imaging drum in place.
  3. Unpack the new 17A and rock it gently side to side to spread the toner.
  4. Remove the black protective cover and any packing tape.
  5. Line the cartridge up with the tracks and push it in until it seats firmly.
  6. Close the top cover.

To change the 19A drum, HP's steps are the same, with one extra stage: after taking out the toner cartridge, pull the old drum out, slide the new drum in until it clicks, then put the toner cartridge back in front of it.

Which Other Printers Use HP 17A?

The LaserJet Pro M102a and M102w and the LaserJet Pro MFP M130a, M130fn, M130fw and M130nw all take the 17A toner and the 19A drum. The 19A drum also fits the LaserJet Pro M104 and MFP M132 series, but those printers take HP 18A (CF218A) toner, which is not listed for the M102w.

What M102w owners ask

These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, manufacturer support communities and owner reviews, answered in our words.

Is the drum built into the toner cartridge?

No, and this trips up a lot of owners who are used to one-piece HP cartridges. The M102w uses two parts: the 17A toner, which you change about every 1,600 pages, and the 19A imaging drum, which lasts about 12,000. If you only ever buy toner, you will still need a drum eventually.

A firmware update froze my printer. What now?

Owners on HP's support forum describe updates that finished with the lights on but the printer no longer reachable over USB or Wi-Fi. HP's fix was a model-specific full reset sent by its support staff, so contact HP rather than trying reset steps meant for other printers.

Why does it drop off Wi-Fi in another room?

Wi-Fi is its only network connection (there is no Ethernet port), and a Best Buy reviewer found it would not connect a couple of rooms from the router. Move it closer, or print over Wi-Fi Direct or USB.

How many pages does the toner in the box print?

About 700. The starter toner is a reduced-capacity cartridge; a full 17A is rated at about 1,600 pages. The drum that ships with the printer is a full 12,000-page unit.

M102w quirks worth knowing

  • There is no screen, only buttons and status lights, so error details show up on your computer or in the HP Smart app.
  • Two-sided printing is manual: the driver prints one side and asks you to reload the stack.
  • Paper loads into a 150-sheet tray plus a 10-sheet priority slot for envelopes or a single special page.
  • HP rates it at up to 23 pages a minute (letter) and recommends 150 to 1,500 pages a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

What toner does the HP LaserJet Pro M102w use?

HP 17A, part number CF217A, rated at about 1,600 pages. It works with the separate HP 19A (CF219A) imaging drum.

Does the M102w need a separate drum?

Yes. The HP 19A imaging drum is a separate part rated at about 12,000 pages, so it outlasts several toner cartridges.

Does HP 18A toner fit the M102w?

No. HP lists the 18A for the LaserJet Pro M104 and MFP M132 series; the M102w takes the 17A.

More HP ink guides: HP LaserJet Pro M15w · HP LaserJet Pro M203dw · HP LaserJet M110w · find any printer

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Sources

Ratings and prices were checked on October 30, 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 — Castle Ink CEO since 2005; more than 20 years of experience in the printer supplies and e-commerce industry..

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