Third-party status
UnknownNon-HP chips blocked by design; no firmware number confirmed
HP lists the M255dw as a dynamic security printer, so non-HP-chip toner can stop after an update. An owner of the M283fdw, which takes the same toner, saw a block. No firmware number confirmed.
What to do now
- Use cartridges that reuse an original HP chip (some remanufactured cartridges do). HP says these are not affected by dynamic security.[4]Ask the seller if the chip is a reused HP chip before you buy.
- Stop automatic updates so a setup that works now is not changed.[4]We have not verified the M255dw's menu path.
What to buy instead
- Genuine HP 206A / 206X. Always accepted. HP lists about 1,350 black and 1,250 color pages for 206A.
- Remanufactured 206A with a reused HP chip. Check the chip is reused HP.
- Account required
- No
- Cartridges
- HP 206A / 206X toner
- Blocking firmware
- None reported
- Last checked
Also applies to: Color LaserJet Pro MFP M282, M283 and M285 models take the same 206A/206X toner (see the M283fdw page).
Third-party and remanufactured cartridges
- HP's store page calls the M255dw a dynamic security enabled printer: non-HP-chip cartridges may not work, now or after a future update.[1]
- In November 2024 an owner of the MFP M283fdw, which uses the same 206A/206X toner, reported cartridges blocked for containing a non-HP chip.[2]
HP account, HP+ and Instant Ink
- The M255dw is not an HP+ printer. HP lists HP+ only for 'e' models.[3]
Firmware that blocked cartridges
- We found no source naming an M255dw firmware version that blocks toner.[1]
To see your version, print a printer status report or open the printer's web page. Compare it with the firmware list.
Workarounds that sources back up
- Use cartridges that reuse an original HP chip (some remanufactured cartridges do). HP says these are not affected by dynamic security.[4] Ask the seller if the chip is a reused HP chip before you buy.
- Stop automatic updates so a setup that works now is not changed.[4] We have not verified the M255dw's menu path.
What does not reliably work
- Firmware downgrades: a toner seller offers older 206A-family firmware, but HP does not support downgrades and we have not tested any file.[5]
What to buy instead
- Genuine HP 206A / 206X. Always accepted. HP lists about 1,350 black and 1,250 color pages for 206A. Shop
- Remanufactured 206A with a reused HP chip. Check the chip is reused HP. Shop
These are plain store links. We earn nothing from them today. Disclosure.
What we could not verify
- Any owner report specific to the M255dw.
- Which firmware, if any, blocks 206A/206X third-party toner.
- Whether seller downgrade files work.
Know something we missed? Dated sources beat opinions. Corrections go on the page with a date.
Related guides
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Sources
- HP Store: Color LaserJet Pro M255dw (read Oct 21, 2026)
- HP Support Community: cartridges blocked for containing a non-HP chip (M283fdw) (published Nov 2, 2024)
- HP+ frequently asked questions (read Oct 21, 2026)
- HP: Dynamic security enabled printers (PDF) (read Oct 21, 2026)
- CompAndSave (ink seller): HP printer firmware downgrade (read Oct 21, 2026)