What Toner Does the HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf Use?

Quick answer: The HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf uses the HP 85A (CE285A) black toner cartridge, rated at roughly 1,600 pages. HP never made a genuine high-yield version for this printer, so the 85A (CE285A) is the only cartridge it takes. The imaging drum is built into the cartridge — there is no separate drum to buy.

HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf Toner Cartridges at a Glance

The M1212nf is the all-in-one version of the P1102 platform — print, scan, copy and fax in one compact unit — and it uses exactly the same HP 85A all-in-one black cartridge, with the imaging drum built in.

Is There a High-Yield Version?

No — and this is worth being clear about, because you will see listings that suggest otherwise. HP produced only one cartridge for the HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf: the 85A (CE285A), at around 1,600 pages. HP positioned this printer at the budget end of the range and never offered a larger cartridge for it.

If you find a cartridge advertised as a high-yield version for this printer, it is an aftermarket product that has been overfilled rather than an HP part. Some work perfectly well; others overfill the chamber and cause leakage or poor print quality. If you want to try one, buy from a seller with a real replacement guarantee.

To compare running costs against a newer printer, our Printer Ink Cost Calculator will show you the cost per page at any cartridge price.

Good News: There's No Separate Drum to Buy

Unlike most Brother mono lasers, the HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf uses an all-in-one cartridge. The imaging drum is built into the HP 85A (CE285A) itself, so every time you replace the toner you are also fitting a brand-new drum. There is no second consumable to track, no drum-life counter to watch, and no separate part to order.

This matters when you compare running costs across brands. A Brother machine may show a lower price per toner cartridge, but a drum unit comes due every few cartridges on top of that. With the HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf, the cartridge price is the whole story — which also means print quality resets completely with every replacement.

It is also why you should be sceptical of any listing offering a "drum unit" for this printer. If you see one, it is either for a different model or it is a refill kit, and neither is what you want.

What Actually Ships in the Box

New M1212nf units shipped with an introductory cartridge of roughly 700 pages. Since these machines are now well into their second decade, most will be running replacement cartridges anyway.

Chips and Compatibility

The 85A carries a chip that reports the toner level to the printer. This model predates HP's Dynamic Security programme, so compatible cartridges work reliably. If the panel reports an unknown or non-HP supply, you can normally acknowledge the message and continue printing.

How to Replace the Toner in the HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf

1. Open the front cartridge door. On most models this is the panel just above the paper tray.
2. Grip the handle on the used cartridge and pull it straight out toward you.
3. Take the new HP 85A (CE285A) out of its packaging and rock it gently back and forth several times to loosen the toner inside.
4. Pull the orange tab to remove the full length of the sealing tape from the cartridge, then remove the orange protective shield from the drum if one is fitted. Do not touch the green or grey drum surface with your fingers.
5. Line the cartridge up with the rails inside the printer and slide it in until it seats firmly.
6. Close the door and wait for the printer to finish its calibration cycle.
7. Print a configuration or test page to confirm the printer recognises the new cartridge and the supply level has reset.

Keep the packaging for a few days. If the cartridge turns out to be faulty, most sellers — Castle Ink included — will want it returned in its original box.

Troubleshooting Tips

Faded print or a light band down one side: Take the cartridge out and rock it gently end to end. If that helps only briefly, the cartridge is genuinely low.

Copies are dark or streaky but prints are fine: The problem is the scanner glass or the document feeder, not the toner. Clean the glass strip on the left-hand side with a lint-free cloth.

"Supply Memory Error" on the panel: Reseat the cartridge and power-cycle the printer. If it persists with a compatible cartridge, the chip is faulty and the cartridge should be replaced under guarantee.

Toner smears or rubs off the page: A fuser nearing the end of its life. Common on machines of this vintage and unrelated to the cartridge you fitted.

Frequent paper jams: Check the pickup roller. Rubber hardens with age and is the usual cause of jams on a printer this old.

Which Other Printers Use the Same Cartridge?

The HP 85A (CE285A) cartridge is used across a wide range of machines, which is good news for buyers — high production volume keeps compatible cartridge prices low and availability high. If you run more than one of these printers, a single cartridge type covers all of them:

• HP LaserJet Pro P1102 / P1102w
• HP LaserJet Pro P1109 / P1109w
• HP LaserJet Pro M1132 MFP
• HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf MFP
• HP LaserJet Pro M1217nfw MFP
• HP LaserJet P1005 / P1006 (as 35A equivalent shell)

Always confirm the cartridge number printed on the supply you are replacing before ordering, since manufacturers occasionally use similar-looking numbers across families. You can also look your machine up on our Find Ink by Printer directory, which lists the correct cartridge for several hundred printers.

Compatible vs. OEM: What You're Actually Buying

The single biggest cost decision for a HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf owner is whether to buy HP-branded cartridges or compatible ones. It is worth understanding what the difference actually is, because the marketing on both sides tends to obscure it.

An OEM cartridge is made by HP and sold under its brand. A compatible cartridge is newly manufactured by a third party to the same physical and electrical specification. A remanufactured cartridge is an original shell that has been collected, stripped, cleaned, fitted with new wear parts and refilled. All three will print on a HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf; what varies is price, consistency and who stands behind it.

The honest summary is that quality in the compatible market is uneven, and that is exactly why the seller matters more than the label. A cheap cartridge from a marketplace listing with no return path is a gamble. Castle Ink tests HP 85A (CE285A) cartridges individually before they ship and backs every one with a replacement-or-refund guarantee, which is what turns a 50–70% saving from a risk into a straightforward decision.

One myth worth putting to rest: using a compatible cartridge does not void your printer warranty. In the United States, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prevents a manufacturer from conditioning warranty coverage on the use of its own consumables. A manufacturer would have to demonstrate that the third-party cartridge itself caused the specific failure being claimed.

How to Make a Cartridge Last Longer on the HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf

Toner yields are quoted at 5% page coverage, which is a fairly sparse business letter. Real documents are often denser than that, which is why so many people feel their cartridges run out early. A few settings changes genuinely stretch a cartridge:

• Use draft or toner-save mode for internal documents. It reduces toner density and can extend a cartridge noticeably. Reserve full-quality output for anything leaving the office.
• Print duplex. It does not save toner, but it halves paper use, and on most machines it is a one-time driver setting.
• Rock the cartridge when the low warning first appears. Removing the cartridge and tilting it gently end to end redistributes the remaining powder and commonly yields another hundred pages or more.
• Do not print a test page after every job. Configuration and status pages are full-coverage prints and add up faster than people expect.
• Choose a smaller, lighter font for drafts. Moving from a 12pt heavy serif to an 11pt lighter face measurably reduces coverage across a long document.

Ignore advice to store cartridges in a freezer or to drill and refill them yourself. Neither helps, and both are good ways to ruin a cartridge and make a mess.

Official HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf Resources

• HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf support page
• HP driver and software downloads
• How to stop HP firmware updates from blocking your ink
• How to recycle used cartridges

Bottom Line

The M1212nf is a simple, sturdy all-in-one that keeps going long after its contemporaries have been retired. It takes one cartridge — the HP 85A — with the drum built in, so maintenance is about as straightforward as laser printing gets. A compatible 85A from Castle Ink costs a fraction of the HP part and fits identically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What toner does the HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf use? The HP 85A (CE285A) black toner cartridge, rated at approximately 1,600 pages. There is no genuine high-yield option.

Is there a separate drum for the M1212nf? No. The drum is integrated into the 85A cartridge.

Can I use the same cartridge as my P1102w? Yes. Both printers use the HP 85A, so a single cartridge type covers both machines.

Does third-party toner void my warranty? No. US warranty law prevents a manufacturer voiding coverage purely for using a compatible cartridge, and these printers are long out of warranty regardless.

Why are my copies poor when printing is fine? That points to the scanner glass or ADF rather than the toner cartridge. Clean the narrow glass strip used by the document feeder.

What other printers use the HP 85A? The M1132, M1217nfw, P1102, P1102w, P1005, P1006 and P1109 all take the same cartridge.

Does the M1212nf still get driver support? Basic drivers remain available through HP's support site, and the printer works with the standard PCL drivers built into Windows and macOS.

Written and reviewed by William Elward — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer and ink industry. Last updated August 2026.

Shop Compatible Toner at Castle Ink

Save 50–70% on replacement toner for the HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf. Every cartridge is individually tested before it ships and backed by Castle Ink's compatibility guarantee — if it does not work in your printer, we replace it or refund you.

• HP 85A (CE285A) black toner (compatible)
• Shop all HP toner at Castle Ink

Buy the HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf on Amazon: HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf on Amazon

See also: Find Ink by Printer | Printer Ink Cost Calculator | Best Printers Buying Guide