I'm having to purchase ink cartridges for laser Jet Pro too often

[jbm4]

I'm having to switch out my ink cartridges way too often on my new Color Laser jet Pro MFP M182nw.  My previous printer was an inkjet printer and the cartridges last so much longer.  I'm having to replace the cartridges much too often.  1 )Is there a way to see just how often I've changed out cartridges since I've owned the machine? 2) Is this normal for Laser Jet Pro?  3) What do I do to prevent changing out cartridges so often?

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @jbm4 ,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

I understand you're replacing cartridges more often than expected. Let’s address your concerns step-by-step:

1) Checking Cartridge Replacement History

Unfortunately, the printer itself does not track how often cartridges have been replaced. However, you can try the following options:

HP Smart App or Embedded Web Server (EWS): If you’re using the HP Smart app or the printer's Embedded Web Server (accessible via the printer's IP address), you can check the supplies status report to see toner usage and print history. This may give you an idea of how much toner is being used and when replacements were made.

Manual Tracking: If you still have receipts, packaging, or a record of when you replaced the cartridges, you can approximate how often they’ve been changed.

2) Is This Normal for the LaserJet Pro?

Laser printers and inkjet printers differ significantly in how they use consumables:

Toner vs. Ink Cartridges: Toner cartridges generally print thousands of pages before needing replacement, whereas ink cartridges print fewer pages but are cheaper individually. If you feel like you're replacing toner too often, it may indicate heavier-than-usual usage or settings consuming extra toner.

Expected Cartridge Yield: For the MFP M182nw, standard toner cartridges (HP 215A) yield approximately:

• Black: ~1,050 pages
• Color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow): ~850 pages each

Printing Habits: Printing graphics, photos, or heavy color pages drains toner quickly compared to text-based prints. Frequent color prints will deplete the color toners faster.

3) How to Prevent Frequent Cartridge Changes

Here are some tips to optimize toner usage:

Adjust Print Settings

Use Draft Mode:

• Draft or Eco mode uses less toner per page.
• Access this in your printer driver settings under "Quality" or "Preferences."

Switch to Monochrome:

• For black-and-white documents, ensure you're using black toner only (no color blending). This option is in the print driver or printer settings.

Reduce Color Intensity:

• Lower the color saturation for non-essential color documents.

Review Printing Habits

1. Consolidate Documents:
   • Print multiple pages per sheet or avoid unnecessary print jobs.
2. Minimize Color Printing:
   • Reserve color printing for essential tasks.

Upgrade to High-Yield Cartridges

• Consider using HP 215X High Yield Toner Cartridges, which offer:
  • Black: ~3,150 pages
  • Color: ~2,450 pages per cartridge Although these cost more upfront, they provide better value over time by reducing the frequency of replacements.

Keep Firmware Up to Date

• Ensure your printer's firmware is updated Update the firmware on an HP printer

Use Toner Save Mode

• Activate this mode in the printer settings to reduce toner usage. This is particularly useful for internal or draft documents.

Monitor Your Print Volume

• Access your printer's monthly page count through the EWS or printer reports. Compare this to the cartridge yield to estimate how many pages you should print before replacement.

Next Steps

1. Check your print settings and enable toner-saving features.
2. Track your actual print volume and compare it to the cartridge yields.
3. Consider switching to high-yield cartridges for a longer replacement cycle.
4. Print a supplies status page or check the HP Smart App for toner usage details.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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