Which ink/toner does the HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe use?
The HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe (laser, 2021) uses W1340X, W1340A.
Third-party cartridge risk: Medium a firmware update can start blocking non-OEM cartridges, so check before buying a large supply, or hold off on firmware updates.
The LaserJet MFP M234dwe adds scanning and copying to HP's compact 134A mono laser, in much the same footprint.
There are two toner sizes and the gap between them is unusually wide. 134X holds 5000 rated pages for $120.00, while 134A holds 1100 for $70.00. That is 2.40c a page against 6.36c, so the small cartridge costs more than twice as much to run.
The e suffix marks this as an HP+ model. HP's terms for HP+ require an HP account, a permanent internet connection and exclusive use of Original HP toner for the life of the printer, and HP's listing for the M234dwe says it works only with original HP toner. The model is recorded as locked on our firmware lockout tracker.
If you are buying rather than troubleshooting, that is the figure to weigh against the low sticker price. On an enrolled machine your toner costs 2.40c a page at best, with no cheaper third party route, for as long as you own the printer. Over a few thousand pages that difference outweighs what the printer itself cost.
Compatible cartridges
| Cartridge | Color | Yield | Pages | OEM price | Cost/page | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W1340X | black | XL | 5000 | $120.00 | 2.4¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
| W1340A | black | standard | 1100 | $70.00 | 6.4¢ | OEM · AmazonCompatible |
XL (high-yield) cartridges cost more upfront but lower the cost per page, which is better if you print a lot.
The HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe is on our firmware-lockout list, so a compatible or remanufactured cartridge can stop working after a printer update. The safe choice is genuine HP toner. If you want to try a compatible to save money, buy only from a seller that guarantees it works with this printer's current firmware, and keep the receipt.
Frequently asked questions
Which toner does the HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe use?
The HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe uses W1340A and W1340X.
Does the HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe take XL cartridges?
Yes. Besides the standard cartridges it accepts W1340X. A high-yield XL holds more toner and costs less per page, which is worth it if you print often.
Will third-party toner work in the HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe, or will firmware block it?
Sold as an HP+ model, the e on the end of the name. Per HP's own store page for the M234dwe, HP+ needs an HP account, an internet connection and Original HP toner for the life of the printer, so an enrolled machine refuses compatible W1340A/W1340X. Declining HP+ at first setup is the only moment third party toner stays possible. Checked 1 September 2026.
How many pages do the HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe cartridges print?
Rated yields are the W1340A at about 1100 pages and the W1340X at about 5000 pages. Real-world yield depends on how much you print and how much toner each page uses.
What is the cheapest toner for the HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe?
By list price the lowest cost per page here is the W1340X at about 2.4 cents per page. A reliable compatible or remanufactured cartridge can lower that further.
Related HP LaserJet MFP printers
Guides for HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe owners
- HP LaserJet toner compatibility chart: which printer takes which CE, CF or W number
- Drum unit vs toner: when to replace one, and what it really costs
- Why did my printer stop accepting compatible ink after a firmware update?
- Setup cartridges: why a new printer runs out of ink so fast, and what the first refill costs
- How to disable HP Dynamic Security and decline the firmware update safely
Last reviewed . Compiled by MyCartridgeFinder from manufacturer cartridge finders and retailer cross reference tables, then checked against this printer's database record. Cartridge numbers and yields come from that record, never from guesswork. See our methodology and data sources.