Also fits: this cartridge fits the Ricoh MP C501SP. Ricoh's rated yields for this platform are 14,000 pages for black and 12,000 pages for each color.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my prints look faded when the machine says toner remains?

Even fading across the whole page usually means the toner is nearly gone and no longer coating the drum evenly — the remaining percentage counts down slower than the quality does. A cartridge that is truly at the end of its rated 14,000 pages will fade no matter what the display says. Spotty or streaky fading is a different problem; that points to a cartridge fault, which the warranty covers.

Can I keep printing after the low-toner warning appears?

Yes — the first warning is a heads-up, not a stop. Most offices get days or even weeks of usable output after it appears, and that is the right moment to order this cartridge so the swap happens on your schedule. Waiting until the machine refuses black jobs entirely turns a routine swap into downtime.

Is this the right cartridge for my machine?

This listing is the 842243 black cartridge for Ricoh MP C501SP. Check the cartridge number on your current supply or the machine's consumables screen if you are ordering for a machine you did not buy the last cartridge for — model names alone can mislead, the number cannot.

How should I store this cartridge if I am not installing it yet?

Keep it sealed in its bag, flat, in a cool dry cabinet away from direct sunlight and heat vents. Stored that way, a spare keeps for a long time without the toner settling badly. When you do install it, a few gentle side-to-side rocks spread the toner evenly before it goes in.

What if the cartridge arrives damaged or leaking?

Tell us right away. Every cartridge carries a one-year warranty, and returns stay free for a full year, so a cartridge that arrives leaking or fails early is replaced or refunded without a fight. Details are on our shipping and returns page, and our support team answers Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM CST.

Why might my cartridge finish before 14,000 pages?

The rating assumes about 5% of the page is covered. Offices printing dense text blocks, forms with shaded boxes, or graphics-heavy pages can see noticeably fewer pages, while light memo-and-email printing often meets or beats the rating. The cartridge is not faulty when coverage explains the difference.

About This Ricoh 842243 Black Toner Cartridge — Single

Sold as a single cartridge for the Ricoh MP C501SP, this black cartridge is rated at 14,000 pages and priced at $61.19. It is the straightforward reorder for a machine whose color supplies still have life and whose black has run down — no set, no bundle, just the one cartridge the printer is asking for. A one-year warranty and one-year free returns stand behind it, with stock in IL, PA, GA, and CA for fast delivery.