LaserJet 4240

With the LaserJet 4240 in 2004, HP modernized its workgroup line — a cleaner design and smarter management than the 4200 series it followed, wrapped around a fast A4 monochrome engine for the mid-2000s office. The cartridge system grew up with it: the standard HP Q5942A covers ordinary duty, the high-yield HP Q5942X stretches the interval for heavier queues, and departments that empty even that too quickly can step up to the jumbo-yield compatible sold as Q5942AJ. This page lists all three tiers.

The 4240 was aimed at the middle of the office market, and that balance is why so many are still in service: quick enough that nobody queues, compact enough for a department corner, and manageable enough that looking after it never became a job in itself. Its three-tier cartridge ladder is part of that balance. Rather than one cartridge forced to suit every office, the same printer can be fed cheaply for light duty or loaded for endurance — and an office can change its mind later simply by changing which box it orders.

Toner Cartridges for LaserJet 4240

Which cartridge should you buy?

Work up the ladder only as far as your volume demands. The standard Q5942A is the economical choice for a 4240 with a modest daily count, and its multi-packs trim the per-cartridge cost for steady users. If swaps feel frequent, the high-yield Q5942X is the natural step: same printer, longer interval, and available here up to a 5 pack. The jumbo Q5942AJ sits above even that, built for departments whose queues never really stop. MICR versions of the standard and high-yield cartridges cover check printing. Every compatible cartridge on this page is backed by a 1-year warranty and 1-year returns.

Chip, toner and everyday use

If prints come out smudged, the cause is usually loose toner dust inside the machine rather than a failing cartridge: run a few blank pages through and the smudging typically flushes away. Persistent smears point to a cartridge that is not seated squarely, or one that has started to leak — reseat it, and replace it if the problem follows the box. When fitting a fresh cartridge, rock it gently end to end first so the toner inside lies level, and keep unopened spares sealed in a cool, dry place. Yield ratings assume light text coverage, so dense pages will always finish a cartridge sooner than the headline figure suggests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which toner cartridge does the LaserJet 4240 use?

Three tiers of the same fit: the standard Q5942A, the high-yield Q5942X, and the jumbo-yield compatible Q5942AJ. Check the code on the cartridge you are replacing if you want an exact like-for-like swap.

Is the jumbo cartridge an HP product?

No — the Q5942AJ is a compatible cartridge built to out-yield even the high-yield tier, offered for the busiest 4240 installations. It is covered by the same 1-year warranty and 1-year returns as the other compatibles here.

My 4240 prints smudged pages. Is the cartridge faulty?

Usually not. Loose toner inside the printer causes most smudging; printing several blank pages clears it. If smudges persist after that, reseat the cartridge and check it for leaks.

Can this printer use MICR toner for checks?

Yes — MICR versions of both the Q5942A and the Q5942X are listed above, carrying the magnetic toner that check scanners require.

More printers that use the same cartridges

The complete family on this cartridge system — the 4240, 4250 and 4350 lines — is: HP Q5942A, LaserJet 4240N, LaserJet 4250, LaserJet 4250DN, LaserJet 4250DTN, LaserJet 4250DTNS, LaserJet 4250DTNSI, LaserJet 4250DTNSL, LaserJet 4250N, LaserJet 4250TN, LaserJet 4350, LaserJet 4350DTN, LaserJet 4350DTNS, LaserJet 4350DTNSI, LaserJet 4350DTNSL, LaserJet 4350N, LaserJet 4350TN.