The HP M401dne is a fairly old printer and part of the LaserJet Pro 400 Printer series. It’s great for secure and speedy monochrome prints. It’s already been discontinued by HP but you can still keep it going, though you also have to spend a pretty sum for one cartridge.
Even now, the HP 80A cartridge that the M401dne uses costs at least $100, and the higher-yielding 80X cartridge costs $200. Meanwhile, you could get a single 80A compatible cartridge for as low as $20! That’s ten compatible cartridges for the price of one OEM. Isn’t that such a win?
The price may be attractive, but some users are still hesitant to start using compatible 80A or 80X cartridges. Or, some may have already thrown out their compatible cartridges believing that they’re completely faulty. That could be the case for some companies, and that’s why it’s all the more important to do your research well and see if the seller offers any guarantees to make sure you have the best and safest experience.
However, before you throw out what could still be a good cartridge, try out some of the solutions we have first!
Loud clicking noises
Compatible cartridges not fitting well in printers is a common issue. Sometimes cartridges may not be the same shape as the OEM your M401dne uses, but they could still fit.
Some companies have different ways of manufacturing their compatible cartridges and may have more protective seals than usual, which you have to remove for the cartridge to fit properly. Inspect your cartridge carefully and look for anything out of place.
Remember not to touch the roller of the cartridge to avoid printing problems. Scratches and fingerprints can harm print quality. If you see such instances, you may have to replace the cartridge.
Light prints and streaks
Toner tends to deposit at the bottom of the cartridge when left in storage for a long time, and this may cause your printer to say your toner level is low even if the cartridge feels full. This is why it is often recommended to shake your cartridges before installing them in the printer.
You may have to shake it a lot more times than you think, and even take it out and put it back in just so the printer recognizes it.
Streaky prints and toner smearing
The paper path may have excess toner or dust, causing dirty printouts. An easy fix is to print a cleaning page.
1. On the control panel, press the OK button to open the menu.
2. Select Service > Cleaning page.
3. Load one sheet of paper into the tray and press OK.
4. The printer will now begin the cleaning process.
You may have to repeat this step a few times. Always use a clean sheet of paper for the cleaning process.
The printer and cartridge environment should also be considered, as the current environment may not be appropriate for the cartridge and causing issues. Make sure not to expose the cartridge to direct light for too long as well.
Printer jams
Paper jams are a common problem with printers, and they can be caused by a variety of things, from rogue pieces of paper to incompatible cartridges. If you're getting paper jams with your printer, there are a few things you can try to fix the problem.
First, check for any obvious problems, like pieces of paper stuck in the printer or the paper tray. If you see anything that could be causing the jam, remove it and try again. Perhaps printing a cleaning may remedy this issue, as toner powder may be stuck in the printer.
If there's nothing obvious causing the jam, take a look at your cartridges. Make sure they're properly installed and that they're compatible with your printer. You may find that compatible cartridges have caused printer jams before. This is likely due to low quality or improper handling and storage of the cartridges.
If you're still having problems, try restarting your printer. Sometimes a simple restart can clear up any software glitches that might be causing the issue.
Conclusion
Should your cartridge be indeed the issue, contact the seller immediately. A good company stands behind its products and could provide helpful insights to help with your predicament.
Laser Tek Services does its very best to provide customers with hassle-free services and even offers a 100% money-back guarantee. At LTS, you are sure to get only the best experiences and products to keep your printer going!
