The HP 48A toner cartridge is compatible with two compact monochrome laser printers, the HP® LaserJet Pro® M15w and HP® LaserJet Pro® MFP M28w. Among the smallest laser printers in their class, these machines are perfect for homes and offices with a limited work space. In this short guide, we’ll review the cartridge specs, show you how to check the cartridge level and walk you through the installation process so you can keep your printer running smoothly. Here, we cover installation steps for the LaserJet M15w, but if you own an MFP M28w, the process will be very similar.
Jump directly to our HP 48A cartridge installation video directly below. Or, continue reading to learn more about the HP 48A cartridge series and it’s compatible printers!
Cartridge Specs
HP keeps it simple with this cartridge series. You only have to worry about replacing one cartridge, the HP 48A, which prints approximately 1,000 pages. Keep in mind, cartridge page yield is a ballpark estimate. Yield is based on 5% page coverage, or pages in which 5% of the printed page is imprinted with ink. When you break it down, this comes out to printing the equivalent of a small paragraph or email on a sheet of paper. Given the 5% coverage rule, you should be able to print roughly 1,000 short paragraphs or emails before your cartridge is depleted. If you are printing a full page of text, the coverage changes and the yield will drop dramatically. An original HP 48A toner cartridge sells for $49.99, but you can save money without sacrificing quality when you purchase an LD brand compatible HP 48A cartridge. Available for just $23.99, you get comparable print results for a fraction of the cost!
HP 48A Black Toner Cartridge (CF248A)
Page yield: approx. 1,000 pages
Color: Black
OEM ink type: Toner powder
How to Check the Cartridge Toner Level
If you are getting poor print results, the first thing you’ll want to do is check the cartridge toner levels. Unfortunately, you cannot view the cartridge levels directly on this printer, but you can view them on the HP smart app. You can download the app for free directly onto your PC through the Microsoft store. Mac users can download an Apple friendly version from iTunes. Once you have it downloaded, just select the “supported cartridges” tab in the app to view the estimated cartridge levels. If the cartridge level is low, it’s time to replace!
Watch a video on how to check the toner level here:
How to Prep the Toner Cartridge
We recommend prepping a new HP 48A toner over a trash can. Sometimes toner powder can escape from the cartridge during this process and things might get messy if you’re not careful. Once it’s out of the box, remove the cardboard and plastic wrapping that is surrounding the cartridge. You should be left with an orange clip on the end of the cartridge. This clip protects the cartridge while it is in transit and the cartridge will not fit in the machine if it is still attached. Remove the clip and discard it for recycling. The orange tab that is sticking out from the end of the cartridge and also needs to be removed. Pull up and out on the orange tab, a long strip of tape will pull out of the cartridge as you pull on the tab. After the tape is fully removed, you are ready to install the new cartridge.
How to Replace the HP 48A Toner Cartridge
Installing the HP 48A toner cartridge into the HP LaserJet Pro M15w is easy. First, you’ll want to remove the spent toner cartridge from the printer. To do this, pull up on the door on the top of the printer to access the cartridge. Gently pull on the cartridge to remove it from the printer. Slide the new cartridge back into the exact same slot. Close up the top cover and you’re ready to print.
We hope you’ve found this installation guide informative! If you have any questions about the installation process or about your HP 48A toner cartridge, drop us a note in the comments, we’d be happy to help!
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