Frequently Asked Questions

What cartridge is this, exactly?

This is one CF226A black toner cartridge — the cartridge HP sells under the shorter 26A name. Both codes describe the same single black cartridge, and this one is priced at $32.48. It is the black cartridge for the LaserJet Pro M402 printer series — the LaserJet M402d among them — and for the LaserJet Pro M426 multifunction models.

How many pages will one cartridge print?

The CF226A is rated at up to 3,100 pages, measured at the standard 5% page coverage the industry uses for yield ratings. Everyday office text lands close to that figure; pages packed with dense text, tables or graphics cover more of the sheet and finish the cartridge sooner.

How do I tell when the cartridge is getting low?

The printer reports a low-toner state on its control panel and in the supplies status you can view from your computer. On paper, the warning shows up as print that fades toward the middle of the page or looks gray instead of solid black — that is the cartridge asking to be replaced, not a printer fault.

Can I squeeze a little more life out of a fading cartridge?

Often, yes. Take the cartridge out and rock it gently from side to side a few times to redistribute the toner inside, then put it back. That usually buys enough decent pages to finish the job at hand — treat it as a short reprieve while the replacement is on its way, not as a refill.

How should I keep the cartridge before it goes in?

Leave it sealed in its box, stored flat in an ordinary room. Heat, damp and direct sunlight are the enemies of a waiting cartridge; a shelf or drawer away from radiators and windows keeps the toner in good condition until installation day.

What comes with the purchase?

Every cartridge we sell carries a 1-year warranty and 1-year free returns. Orders leave from warehouses in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Georgia and California — the full details are on our shipping and returns page — and our support team answers Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM CST.

About This CF226A Black Cartridge

Ordering toner by code is the surest way to get the right box, and this page is built around the code: one CF226A (26A) black cartridge, rated at up to 3,100 pages, for $32.48. No bundles, no extras — a single cartridge for a single swap.

When the low-toner warning appears, the code on the empty cartridge is the whole reorder instruction. Match CF226A, and the replacement that arrives is the one the printer was designed around.

Compatibility covers the LaserJet M402d, LaserJet M402dn, LaserJet M402dw and LaserJet MFP M426fdn. The same 26A black also comes as the 26A two-pack (CF226A), with the 26A cartridge for the M402 series (CF226A) covering the model-named listings.