What Toner Does the HP LaserJet Pro M404n Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP LaserJet Pro M404n uses HP 58A (CF258A) black toner, rated at about 3,000 pages, or the high-yield HP 58X (CF258X), rated at about 10,000 pages. The imaging drum is built into the cartridge, so there is no separate drum to buy. For almost every office the HP 58X (CF258X) high-yield with chip is the better buy.
CastleScore · October 2026
81/100 — Highly Recommended
HP LaserJet Pro M404n
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 84 | 4.30★ average across 1,123 ratings at Amazon (4.3) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | 80 | PCMag (M404dn) 4.0/5 |
| Cost per page (18%) | 87 | About 1.1¢ per page all-in with our compatible 58X toner with chip (10,000 pages; drum built in). Docked because firmware can reject toner without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (18%) | 89 | Most-reported problems: paper jams and torn paper in the path. Roller dust and wear stop feeding, and the fix is cleaning or replacing the rollers |
| Features (11%) | 49 | Ethernet, fast (20+ ppm). No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 86 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Discontinued. HP no longer sells the M404n new and names the LaserJet Pro 4001ne as the newer model. We still sell compatible 58A and 58X toner with chip.
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 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 58X Toner (with chip)
HP 58A Toner (with chip)Our own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP LaserJet Pro M404n Toner Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 58A | CF258A | Black (standard) | ~3,000 pages |
| HP 58X | CF258X | Black (high yield) | ~10,000 pages |
The M404n is the wired, entry model of HP's LaserJet Pro M404 line: up to 40 pages per minute in black, a 250-sheet main tray plus a 100-sheet multipurpose tray, and Ethernet and USB connections. Unlike the M404dn it has no automatic two-sided printing, and unlike the M404dw it has no Wi-Fi. The toner is identical across all three.
The same HP 58A / 58X cartridges also fit the LaserJet Pro M404dn and M404dw, the M405 series, and the LaserJet Pro MFP M428 and M429 series. See our HP LaserJet Pro M404dn toner guide if you run both models.
Standard vs. High-Yield: Which Should You Buy?
Buy the 58X. It is the same size as the 58A and installs the same way, but it holds more than three times the toner for far less than three times the price, so the cost per page is much lower. Toner does not dry out the way inkjet ink does, so even light users rarely regret going high-yield.
Dynamic Security and Third-Party Toner
The M404 series is one of HP's dynamic-security printers. HP's product page says it uses dynamic security measures to block cartridges using a non-HP chip. A cartridge with no chip at all can refuse to print, so we list only our compatible HP 58A (CF258A) with chip and compatible HP 58X (CF258X) with chip for this printer. HP's warning covers any cartridge without an HP chip, so we can't promise HP won't block it.
Firmware matters too. If you use compatible toner, turn off automatic firmware updates in the printer's Embedded Web Server — here is how to keep HP firmware updates from blocking your ink.
How to Replace the Toner in the HP LaserJet Pro M404n
- Press the button on the front of the printer to open the toner door.
- Grip the handle on the used cartridge and pull it straight out.
- Unpack the new cartridge and rock it gently end to end five or six times to spread the toner.
- Pull the orange tab to remove the sealing strip, and take off any orange packing clip. Do not touch the drum surface.
- Line the cartridge up with the guides and slide it in until it seats firmly.
- Close the door and let the printer finish its start-up cycle before printing.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Supply problem" or "unsupported cartridge": Confirm the cartridge is a 58A or 58X made for the Americas; European 59A/59X and Asia-Pacific 76A/76X cartridges are region-coded for other units. HP's dynamic security blocks cartridges using a non-HP chip. If a cartridge that worked before is suddenly refused, check in the Embedded Web Server whether a firmware update installed, and turn off automatic updates.
"Cartridge low" appears early: HP's warning is conservative. You usually have hundreds of pages left. Keep printing until the print fades.
Faded or patchy pages: Take the cartridge out and rock it end to end, then reinstall it. Because the drum is part of the cartridge, repeating marks or streaks that do not clear mean the cartridge needs replacing.
What LaserJet Pro M404n 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 the M404n print over Wi-Fi?
No. HP's spec table lists wireless as "No", even though its marketing copy mentions dual-band Wi-Fi. The M404n connects by Gigabit Ethernet or USB 2.0; the M404dw is the Wi-Fi model.
Does it print on both sides automatically?
No. HP's footnote says automatic two-sided printing isn't supported on the M404n; you can only flip pages by hand using the driver. The M404dn and M404dw do it automatically.
How long will the toner that came in the box last?
HP rates the preinstalled cartridge in Americas units at about 1,500 pages, half of a retail 58A. Plan on buying toner sooner than you'd expect.
Can I add more paper capacity?
Yes. HP lists an optional 550-sheet Tray 3, which takes the printer from 350 to 900 sheets.
What replaced the M404n?
HP marks it discontinued and names the LaserJet Pro 4001ne as the newer model. That is an "e" model, eligible for HP+.
LaserJet Pro M404n quirks worth knowing
- An "HP High Speed" setting raises the rated speed from 40 to 42 pages a minute. First page out is as fast as 6.1 seconds.
- Toner is region-coded. U.S. and other Americas units take 58A/58X; European units take 59A/59X and Asia-Pacific units take 76A/76X.
- HP rates the duty cycle at up to 80,000 pages a month and recommends 750 to 4,000, which suits the 10,000-page 58X.
- There is a rear USB host port as well as the Gigabit Ethernet and USB 2.0 ports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the HP LaserJet Pro M404n need a separate drum?
No. The drum is built into the HP 58A / 58X cartridge, so you get a new drum every time you replace the toner.
Is the M404n toner the same as the M404dn and M404dw?
Yes. All three take HP 58A and 58X. The models differ in duplex printing and Wi-Fi, and in the starter cartridge: HP rates the M404n's at about 1,500 pages and the M404dn's at about 3,000.
Will HP 26A or HP 26X fit the M404n?
No. HP 26A / 26X belong to the older LaserJet Pro M402 series and will not seat in an M404.
Do I need a cartridge with a chip?
Yes. The M404n uses HP dynamic security, and a chipless cartridge may not print at all. HP says it blocks cartridges using a non-HP chip, so a cartridge with an HP chip is the safest choice.
Does using compatible or remanufactured cartridges void my warranty?
No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a manufacturer cannot void your printer warranty only because you used third-party cartridges. Damage proven to be caused by a specific cartridge would not be covered, but the rest of the warranty still applies.
How are these page yields measured?
They are approximate figures based on HP's ISO/IEC 19752 testing at about 5% page coverage. Real results depend on what you print and how much of each page is covered.
Other printers that use HP 58A and 58X toner
HP LaserJet Pro M404dn · 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 10, 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.