Third-party status
UnknownHP+ model: Original HP toner only by design; no firmware number confirmed
No, not by design: the M234dwe is an HP+ printer that HP says works only with Original HP toner for its whole life. We found no named firmware number that blocks toner, so the formal status stays Unknown.
What to do now
- If genuine toner suddenly shows Error 11, update to firmware 20250311 or later from HP's support site. Owners said it had to be done over USB if the printer was already stuck in the error.[6][4]
- Owners in the Error 11 threads turned off automatic firmware updates in the printer's web page afterwards.[6][4]On an HP+ model this does not let you use third-party toner. It only avoids surprise updates.
What to buy instead
- Genuine HP 134A / 134X. Always accepted. HP lists about 1,100 pages (A) and 2,400 pages (X).
- Account required
- Yes
- Cartridges
- HP 134A / 134X toner in the US (135A / 135X in Europe)
- Blocking firmware
- None reported
- Last checked
Also applies to: Same M232-M237 toner family as the M234sdwe (HP+) and the non-HP+ M234dw / M234sdw.
Third-party and remanufactured cartridges
- HP's store says the M234dwe works only with Original HP toner and needs an HP account and internet to operate.[1]
- An owner of the sister HP+ model M234sdwe said a third-party compatible cartridge was rejected in June 2024 with the message that HP+ printers require Original HP cartridges. In March 2026 an HP Community expert confirmed the M234sdwe can use only genuine HP toner.[2]
- HP's datasheet for the M232-M237 series says the non-HP+ models use dynamic security to block cartridges with non-HP chips, and that future firmware updates can block cartridges that work today.[3]
HP account, HP+ and Instant Ink
- The M234dwe is an HP+ printer: HP account, internet connection and Original HP toner are required for the life of the printer.[1]
- The same owner noted the printer's web page and config sheet show the model without the 'e' and list Cartridge Policy as Off. HP's expert said that page is the same on HP+ and normal models, and the HP+ rule still applies.[2]
Firmware that blocked cartridges
- HP firmware 20250209 for the LaserJet MFP M232-M237 series, pushed around March 4, 2025, made some printers reject even genuine HP toner with Error 11. HP told The Register it affected a limited number of LaserJet 200 Series devices.[4][5]
- HP released firmware 20250311 around March 17, 2025, and owners reported it fixed the Error 11 problem.[4][6]
- We found no source naming an M234 firmware version that specifically blocks third-party toner.[3]
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
- If genuine toner suddenly shows Error 11, update to firmware 20250311 or later from HP's support site. Owners said it had to be done over USB if the printer was already stuck in the error.[6][4]
- Owners in the Error 11 threads turned off automatic firmware updates in the printer's web page afterwards.[6][4] On an HP+ model this does not let you use third-party toner. It only avoids surprise updates.
What does not reliably work
- Third-party compatible toner on the HP+ models: an M234sdwe owner got a 'Cartridges Rejected' HP+ message.[2]
What to buy instead
- Genuine HP 134A / 134X. Always accepted. HP lists about 1,100 pages (A) and 2,400 pages (X). Shop
These are plain store links. We earn nothing from them today. Disclosure.
What we could not verify
- Whether remanufactured toner with a reused HP chip works on the HP+ M234dwe (HP's reused-chip wording is for non-HP+ models).
- Whether any later firmware after 20250311 changed toner checks on this model.
- Whether the non-HP+ M234dw accepts current third-party toner in practice.
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: LaserJet MFP M234dwe (read Oct 28, 2026)
- HP Support Community: M234sdwe showing as M234sdw in EWS, does HP+ OEM-only restriction apply? (published Mar 29, 2026)
- HP datasheet: LaserJet MFP M234sdw (PDF) (read Oct 28, 2026)
- The Register: Official HP toner not official enough after dodgy update (published Mar 11, 2025)
- HP Support Community: Error Code 11 - M234DWE - Genuine toner suddenly stopped working (published March 2025)
- HP Support Community: M234sdw not recognizing original toner (published Mar 17, 2025)