What Toner Does the HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all HP 85A Toner Cartridges – CE285A & Jumbo → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
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.
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf
| 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%) | 91 | About 2.2¢ per page all-in with our compatible 85A toner (1,600 pages; drum built in). |
| Reliability (18%) | 87 | Most-reported problems: networked unit can't communicate with its scanner; ADF scans only 2-3 sheets of a stack; false 'install black cartridge' / 'door open' messages with cartridge installed |
| Features (11%) | 68 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, fax, Ethernet. No auto two-sided printing, no touchscreen. |
| 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. HP stopped selling the M1212nf long ago. HP 85A toner is still 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 8, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 85A Toner
HP 85A JumboOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf Toner Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Type / Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|
| 85A (CE285A) | Black (standard) | ~1,600 pages |
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.
Cartridges sold as "high-yield" or "jumbo" 85A, including the compatible 85A jumbo we sell, are aftermarket cartridges filled with more toner than HP's. They are not HP parts, and HP does not rate any cartridge for this printer above 1,600 pages.
To compare running costs against a newer printer, our Printer Ink Cost Calculator will show you the cost per page at any cartridge price.
What Actually Ships in the Box
New M1212nf units shipped with an introductory cartridge of roughly 700 pages. A full HP 85A is rated at about 1,600 pages.
Chips and Compatibility
The 85A carries a chip that reports the toner level to the printer. The M1212nf predates HP+, and we found no HP notice listing it as a dynamic-security printer. HP's user guide does say the printer checks whether a cartridge is genuine, so expect a non-HP supply notice when you fit compatible toner.
How to Replace the Toner in the HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf
- Open the front cartridge door with its release latch.
- Grip the handle on the used cartridge and pull it straight out toward you.
- Take the new HP 85A (CE285A) out of its packaging and rock it gently back and forth several times to loosen the toner inside.
- 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.
- Line the cartridge up with the rails inside the printer and slide it in until it seats firmly.
- Close the door.
- 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 narrow glass strip the document feeder scans across, using 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
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.
What LaserJet Pro M1212nf 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.
Can it print on both sides automatically?
No. It does manual two-sided printing only. The driver prompts you to turn the stack over and reload it for each job.
Does the M1212nf have Wi-Fi?
No. It connects by USB 2.0 or Ethernet. The M1217nfw is the wireless version, and it takes the same HP 85A toner.
How do I scan to PDF on Windows 10?
An HP Community expert recommends installing HP's Scan Extension (HPScanExt.msi), since there is no current full software package for this printer.
The document feeder only scans two or three pages of my stack.
One owner fixed this by running HP Print and Scan Doctor. If several sheets feed at once, clean the feeder rollers.
My networked M1212nf prints, but the computer can't reach the scanner.
Owners have cleared this by restoring the printer's network defaults and then entering the network settings again.
LaserJet Pro M1212nf quirks worth knowing
- Two-sided printing is manual only: you reload the stack when prompted, every time. It is not a setting you turn on once.
- The fax keeps up to 500 pages in memory and stores 100 speed dials.
- The M1210 series has an LCD with menus. The related M1130 series (such as the M1132) has only a 2-digit LED display and no document feeder, but takes the same 85A cartridge.
- HP's own cartridge-replacement video for the M1212nf also covers the M1213nf, M1214nfh, M1216nfh, M1217nfw and M1219nf, so the steps are the same across the family.
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 and P1109 all take the same cartridge. The older P1005 and P1006 take HP 35A, not 85A.
Does the M1212nf still get driver support? Basic drivers remain available through HP's support site.
Other printers that use HP 85A 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 8, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP 85A Toner Cartridges – CE285A & Jumbo? Shop HP 85A Toner Cartridges – CE285A & Jumbo at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.