Which ink/toner does the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M277dw use?

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M277dw uses HP 201 series toner: the standard 201A and the high-yield 201X, each in black, cyan, magenta and yellow. Those eight cartridges, four standard and four XL, cover every color this laser prints.

High-yield toner lowers the cost per page. The black 201X (CF400X) is rated at about 2800 pages for around $110, roughly 3.9 cents per page, against about 5.0 cents for the standard 201A black (CF400A) at about 1500 pages for $75. Each color 201X is rated at about 2300 pages for around $120, about 5.2 cents per page, where the standard 201A colors at about 1400 pages for $80 sit nearer 5.7 cents. If you print in any volume the XL toner pays off, though color laser toner is expensive whichever version you buy.

Unlike HP's inkjets, this laser does not firmware-lock its supplies. The HP toner carries a chip for level reporting, but third-party and remanufactured 201A and 201X toner is recognized and works, which is where the real saving on this printer sits given the high price of genuine cartridges. Buy compatible toner from a seller with good reviews and a return policy so you can swap a bad unit.

If the printer reports a toner or supply problem, open the front door, take the affected cartridge out, rock it gently side to side to redistribute the toner, and reseat it firmly. Wipe the contact strip with a dry lint-free cloth if a color is not detected. For streaks, smears, or faded bands, a cartridge that is genuinely low is the usual cause rather than a firmware issue, so check toner levels before assuming the cartridge is faulty.