Almost new printer - toner already needs replacing?!

[Squibb1]

Can anyone advise, please? I bought my HP LaserJet M140W in April 2026, connected it to my laptop about 6 weeks later, and since then, have only printed about 30 - 40 sheets in total.

Yesterday, the orange ink light lit up on the printer. The app says that my supplies are low, and I should consider buying a replacement toner cartridge.

I’d understood I could expect a yield of about 1000 copies, from a toner cartridge that would probably last a couple of years - perfect for an occasional user to replace an inkjet printer, where the cartridges were always drying out. The printer sits in a cool spot in the living room, away from direct sunlight. Nothing ‘high intensity’, just printed off a few letters and charts.

Were my expectations unrealistic? Where have I gone wrong? Feeling angry and disappointed that this printer was not a sensible purchase – at this rate, the cost of the toner will exceed the cost of the printer in less than a year!

Any tips, comments, advice or reassurance gratefully received. Thank you.

[ferRX]

Hi @Squibb1 

For checking the printed pages go to print a Test page using front panel Green button,

pressing down by 5 seconds.

Please check steps in the next video:

>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD0_giwDlsE

Test page should look like the next one, just go check where it says "Page Counts"

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* Click YES   to say thank you, 

* Click Accepted as Solution when question is answered.

ferRX.

[Squibb1]

Thanks for your response, FerRX, I've printed off the report.  The page count says 150, which is surprisingly more than I thought...mysterious!  Sadly, still far fewer than the possible 1000 copies that I was expecting from the toner cartridge, though  😒