What Toner Does the HP LaserJet Pro M452dn Use?
Last Updated:CastleScore · October 2026
78/100 — Recommended
HP LaserJet Pro M452dn
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 72 | 3.70★ average across 299 ratings at Amazon (3.7) |
| Expert reviews (20%) | 80 | PCMag (M452dw) 4.0/5 |
| Cost per page (18%) | 92 | About 2¢ per page blended (black + color) with our compatible 410X toner (6,500 black / 5,000 color pages). |
| Reliability (18%) | 84 | Most-reported problems: A phantom 'jam in paper path, open rear door' message persists at power-on with no paper inside; worn feed or pickup rollers and separation pad cause misfeeds, multi-sheet pulls and repeated jam errors |
| Features (11%) | 57 | Auto two-sided printing, Ethernet, fast (20+ ppm). No document feeder, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 82 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Discontinued. CDW lists the M452dn as discontinued in July 2019. Its replacement, the Color LaserJet Pro M454dn, takes HP 414A/414X, not 410. HP 410A and 410X 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 410X 4-packBlack + Cyan/Magenta/Yellow
HP 410X BlackCF410X · ~6,500 pages
HP 410X CyanCF411X · ~5,000 pages
HP 410X MagentaCF413X · ~5,000 pages
HP 410X 4-pack
HP 410X Black
HP 410X Cyan
HP 410X MagentaOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what toner does the HP LaserJet Pro M452dn use?
The HP Color LaserJet Pro M452dn uses four HP 410A toner cartridges (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) or the high-yield HP 410X versions. Each cartridge has its imaging drum built in.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Part number | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| HP 410A black | CF410A | ~2,300 pages |
| HP 410A cyan / yellow / magenta | CF411A / CF412A / CF413A | ~2,300 pages each |
| HP 410X black | CF410X | ~6,500 pages |
| HP 410X cyan / yellow / magenta | CF411X / CF412X / CF413X | ~5,000 pages each |
*Approximate HP-rated yields based on ISO/IEC test pages. Real-world results depend on coverage and how often the printer runs cleaning or calibration cycles.
Common questions about HP LaserJet Pro M452dn toner
Should I buy HP 410A or 410X?
410X. The 410X black is rated for about 6,500 pages, almost three times the 410A, and the 410X colors about 5,000 pages versus 2,300. For a busy office it's the clear value.
Can I mix standard and high-yield cartridges?
Yes. Each cartridge is read separately, so any mix of standard and high-yield sizes works.
What other printers use HP 410A/410X?
The same cartridges fit the LaserJet Pro M452dw, M452nw, MFP M377dw, MFP M477fdn, MFP M477fdw, and MFP M477fnw. If you own more than one, a single stock covers them all.
Will other HP cartridges fit the M452dn?
No. HP 414A/414X (Color LaserJet Pro M454 and MFP M479fdw) replaced the 410 series and won't fit. HP 201A/201X are smaller cartridges for the M252 and M277. Always match the number on your current cartridge.
Does the printer need a separate drum?
No. The imaging drum is built into each HP 410A/410X cartridge, so it's replaced every time you change toner. The transfer belt and fuser are long-life parts; see HP transfer belt: signs it's failing and HP fuser unit: signs it's failing if you see repeating marks or smearing late in the printer's life.
Are compatible or remanufactured toner cartridges safe for the M452dn?
Usually, with one caution. Compatible cartridges, including ours, don't carry an HP chip. HP hasn't said publicly whether the M452 is on its dynamic-security list, but on the M454 that replaced it, HP support confirms that only HP-chip cartridges are supported and that a firmware update can block others. We recommend turning off automatic firmware updates before you switch. Using non-HP toner doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. More: How to stop HP firmware updates from blocking your ink, Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and toner, and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.
How do I replace the toner in the M452dn?
Open the front door and pull out the cartridge drawer. Pull the old cartridge straight up and out. Take the new cartridge out of its bag, rock it gently side to side to spread the toner, and pull off any orange tape or clips. Line it up with its color-coded slot, press it in, and close the drawer and door. The printer calibrates automatically.
Can I keep printing when a cartridge says “very low”?
Usually, yes. HP LaserJets let you keep printing past the “very low” warning until quality drops; you can change that behavior under Supplies settings on the control panel or the printer's web page. When a color is completely empty, replace it; print quality on that color will fade or streak first.
Why are my M452dn prints streaked or showing lines?
Light, faded streaks usually mean a toner cartridge is low: remove it, rock it side to side, and reinstall. A sharp line that repeats down the page points to a scratched drum on one cartridge; swap cartridges one at a time to find it. If marks repeat at the same spacing on every color, the fuser or transfer belt may be worn. More: Why is my printer printing streaks?.
Does the M452dn have Wi-Fi?
No. The “dn” model connects by Ethernet and USB and prints two-sided automatically. The M452dw and M452nw add Wi-Fi and use the same toner.
How is the 410 series different from 414?
HP 414A/414X is for the newer M454 and MFP M479fdw. The two families aren't interchangeable.
M452dn key facts
- Type: color laser printer (print only)
- Toner: HP 410A or 410X, four cartridges with built-in drums
- Duplex: automatic
- Connectivity: USB, Ethernet (no Wi-Fi on the dn)
What Color LaserJet Pro M452dn 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.
The display says there is a jam and to open the rear door, but there is no paper inside.
A factory reset usually won't clear this. The usual causes are a stuck sensor flag in the pickup assembly or debris on a sensor. To check the flag, remove the cartridges and the tray and lay the printer on its side.
It pulls several sheets at once or misfeeds over and over.
That points to worn feed or pickup rollers and a worn separation pad, not toner. Clean them first. If the jams keep coming back, replace them.
Can I add more paper capacity?
Yes. The standard setup holds 300 sheets (a 250-sheet tray plus the 50-sheet multipurpose tray). The optional 550-sheet Tray 3 (CF404A) takes it to 850.
Can I print from a USB stick?
Yes. The M452dn has a walk-up USB host port on the front, in addition to the USB 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet ports on the back.
Why does a full set of HP 410X cost so much?
There are four cartridges, and the colors cost more than the black. At argecy's list prices, HP 410X black is $214.99 and each color is $288.99, so a full genuine set is over $1,000.
Color LaserJet Pro M452dn quirks worth knowing
- It prints color as fast as black: 28 pages per minute on letter paper for both.
- HP rates it for up to 50,000 pages a month but recommends 750–4,000.
- The cartridges that ship in the box are not full size. In Europe HP rated them at up to 1,200 pages per color; we could not confirm the U.S. figure.
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 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.