What Toner Does the HP LaserJet Pro M404dn Use?

Quick answer: The HP LaserJet Pro M404dn uses HP 58A (CF258A) (~3,000 pages) or HP 58X (CF258X) high-yield (~10,000 pages) black toner cartridges. They are the same cartridge in two capacities, and the imaging drum is built in — there is no separate drum to buy. For most owners the HP 58X (CF258X) gives the lowest cost per page.

The toner, pictured

• HP 58X Toner (with chip)CF258X · ~10,000 pages
• HP 58A Toner (with chip)CF258A · ~3,000 pages

Our own compatible toner, photographed in-house.

HP LaserJet Pro M404dn Toner Cartridges at a Glance

The M404dn is a fast, compact office mono laser and a very common sight in small businesses. It uses an all-in-one cartridge with the imaging drum built in — but it is also one of HP's Dynamic Security printers, which changes what you need to look for when buying replacement toner.

Standard vs. High-Yield: Which One Should You Buy?

Almost everyone with a HP LaserJet Pro M404dn should be buying the high-yield HP 58X (CF258X) rather than the standard HP 58A (CF258A). The high-yield cartridge is physically the same size and installs identically — it is simply filled with more toner. At roughly 10000 pages versus 3000, it prints about 3.3x as much for a price that is nowhere near 3.3x higher, which is why the cost per page always lands in its favor.

The only reason to choose the standard cartridge is if you print so little that a cartridge would sit in the machine for years. Toner is a dry powder and does not dry out the way inkjet ink does, so even very light users are usually better off with the high-yield version.

To run the math on your own printer, our Printer Ink Cost Calculator will show you the cost per page for any cartridge price and yield combination.

Good News: There's No Separate Drum to Buy

Unlike most Brother mono lasers, the HP LaserJet Pro M404dn uses an all-in-one cartridge. The imaging drum is built into the HP 58X (CF258X) 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 M404dn, 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

The M404dn ships with a full 58A cartridge rated at around 3,000 pages rather than a reduced-capacity starter.

Dynamic Security: What HP LaserJet Pro M404dn Owners Need to Know

The HP LaserJet Pro M404dn is what HP calls a Dynamic Security enabled printer, and it is the single most important thing to understand before buying replacement toner for it. Unlike older LaserJets, this machine checks the chip on the cartridge and is designed to work only with cartridges carrying a new or reused HP chip.

In practice that means two things. First, any compatible 58A (CF258A)/58X (CF258X) cartridge you buy for this printer must be sold "with chip" — a chipless cartridge will not simply lose its toner-level readout, it may refuse to print at all. Castle Ink's listings for this printer are the with-chip versions for exactly this reason.

Second, firmware matters. Dynamic Security lives in the printer's firmware, so an update can change which cartridges it accepts. Following a 2025 US legal settlement, HP committed to disclosing its use of Dynamic Security and to allowing users to decline firmware updates that contain it. If you rely on compatible toner, you can turn off automatic updates in the printer's Embedded Web Server (firmware updates live under Tools > Printer Updates > Firmware Updates). The trade-off: HP says its 42 ppm HP High Speed mode may need a firmware upgrade.

Our guide on how to stop HP firmware updates from blocking your ink walks through the exact settings.

How to Replace the Toner in the HP LaserJet Pro M404dn

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 58X (CF258X) 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 in case the cartridge turns out to be faulty.

Troubleshooting Tips

Compatible cartridge refuses to print or reports an error: This is the signature Dynamic Security symptom. Confirm the cartridge was sold "with chip" for the North American market — a chipless cartridge may not work at all in this printer, not merely lose its level readout.

A cartridge that worked yesterday stopped working today: A firmware update may have installed. Check the printer's firmware date in the Embedded Web Server, and disable automatic updates to prevent a repeat.

"Cartridge Low" appears early: It is an early warning, not a stop. Keep printing until the print starts to fade, and have a spare ready.

Faded print or patchy coverage: Rock the cartridge gently end to end to redistribute the toner. Because the drum is integrated, persistent defects mean the cartridge needs replacing.

Slow first page from sleep: Adjust the sleep and auto-off timers in the Embedded Web Server. Faster wake costs slightly more standby power.

Which Other Printers Use the Same Cartridge?

The HP 58A / 58X 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 M404n / M404dn / M404dw
• HP LaserJet Pro MFP M428dw / M428fdn / M428fdw
• HP LaserJet Enterprise M406dn
• HP LaserJet Enterprise MFP M430f

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 M404dn 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 I use an HP 59A or 76A toner bought overseas?

No. HP region-codes this toner. Printers sold in North and Latin America take 58A/58X, EMEA units take 59A/59X, and Asia Pacific units (excluding China and India) take 76A/76X.

Is there a wireless version?

Not the dn. It has Gigabit Ethernet and USB only. The M404dw is the model with Wi-Fi.

The control panel has no Update Firmware option. How do I update it?

One owner fixed this by enabling all features in the Embedded Web Server (Settings > Security > Administrator Settings > Enable/Disable Features), then updating under Tools > Printer Updates > Firmware Updates. HP says the printer needs a wired network connection with internet access to get updates. If you use non-HP toner, read the Dynamic Security section above before updating.

What replaced the M404dn?

HP marks it discontinued and points to the LaserJet Pro 4001dne as the newer model. That is an HP+ printer and it takes different cartridges.

Does it print two-sided automatically?

Yes. Duplex is automatic and switched on by default. Some retailer listings, including Newegg's, wrongly say it is manual.

LaserJet Pro M404dn quirks worth knowing

• HP rates it at 40 ppm on letter paper, or 42 ppm with the HP High Speed setting, which HP says may need a firmware upgrade. Weigh that if you have turned off firmware updates to protect non-HP toner.
• Standard paper capacity is 350 sheets: a 100-sheet multipurpose Tray 1 plus a 250-sheet Tray 2. An optional 550-sheet Tray 3 brings it to 900.
• HP's duty cycle is up to 80,000 pages a month, but its recommended volume is 750 to 4,000 pages.
• Besides Gigabit Ethernet and Hi-Speed USB 2.0, there is a rear host USB port.

Frequently Asked Questions

What toner does the HP LaserJet Pro M404dn use? HP 58A (CF258A, ~3,000 pages) or HP 58X (CF258X, ~10,000 pages) black toner cartridges. The imaging drum is built into the cartridge.

Does the HP LaserJet Pro M404dn need a separate drum unit? No — and this is a common and expensive misunderstanding. Some sellers list an "HP 32A" drum for this printer, but the 32A belongs to the M203/M227 family. The 58A and 58X are all-in-one cartridges with the drum integrated.

Do I have to buy cartridges "with chip"? Yes. This is a Dynamic Security enabled printer and is designed to work only with cartridges carrying a new or reused HP chip. A chipless compatible cartridge may refuse to print entirely.

Can a firmware update stop my compatible toner working? It can, because Dynamic Security is part of the firmware. If you rely on compatible cartridges, you can turn off automatic updates in the Embedded Web Server.

Is the 58X worth the extra over the 58A? Yes for most offices. At roughly 10,000 pages it prints more than three times as much as the 58A for a far smaller price increase.

Does compatible toner void the warranty? No. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act means using a third-party cartridge does not by itself void your warranty in the US — though it will not stop Dynamic Security from blocking a chipless cartridge.

What other HP printers use 58A and 58X? HP's North American list for 58A/58X covers the LaserJet Pro M404n, M404dn and M404dw, the LaserJet Pro MFP M428dw, M428fdn and M428fdw, the LaserJet Enterprise M406dn and the LaserJet Enterprise MFP M430f.

Other printers that use HP 58A and 58X toner

HP LaserJet Pro M404n · HP LaserJet Pro MFP M428fdw

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.

• HP LaserJet Pro M404dn product page (specs, supplies, Dynamic Security notice)
• HP 58X high-yield toner (CF258X) and compatible printers
• HP M404dn specifications (regional toner)
• HP Community: enabling firmware updates on the LaserJet Pro M404
• The Register: HP settles Dynamic Security class action (2025)