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Re: HP LaserJet Pro M404n toner cartridge problem

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On Sun, 1 Mar 2026 03:23:06 -0000 (UTC), bp@www.zefox.net wrote:
> Allodoxaphobia <trepidation@example.net> wrote:
>> On Sat, 28 Feb 2026 19:03:36 -0000 (UTC), bp@www.zefox.net wrote:
>>> In comp.periphs.printers Allodoxaphobia <trepidation@example.net> wrote:
>>>> HP LJ Pro M404n
>>>> 
>>>> The original toner cartridge has come to the end of it's life.  For a
>>>> while now I've been taking the cartridge out and softly shaking it to
>>>> squeeze more pages out of it -- then replacing the cartridge.
>>>> 
>>>> It came time to replace the cartridge.  I took the old one out, and
>>>> double checked it with the new CF258X cartridge and they seem identical.
>>>> 
>>>> I slid the new cartridge in and it would NOT go in far enough to allow
>>>> the printer cover to close.  It seems well seated on both sides of the
>>>> cartridge, but it protrudes about 1/2 inch -- blocking the closure of
>>>> the cover.
>>>> 
>>>> I tried several times -- thinking I wasn't holding either the cartridge
>>>> or my tongue correctly.  No Go.
>>>> 
>>>> So, I picked up the old cartridge and slid it back in.  SAME PROBLEM!
>>>> The cartridge will not slide in far enough to allow the cover to close.
>>>> The cartridge protrudes enough to block the cover release push button on
>>>> the right side.
>>>> 
>>>> In both cases -- with the old and the new cartridge -- it seems to
>>>> "snap' into place and it seems well seated on both sides of the
>>>> cartridge
>>>> 
>>>> I've inspected the interior of the printer -- even using a dental
>>>> mirror, and I cannot see any potential obstruction.
>>>> 
>>>> I can't believe I'm the only one to encounter this problem, but my
>>>> Google Fu fails to find any similar complaint.  Search seems powered
>>>> more and more by AI, and all I get is hits for the bog-simple cartridge
>>>> replacement instructions: "Remove the old one. Slide in the new one".
>>>> 
>>>> Anyone here ever have this problem?
>>>
>>> Well, yes. My next door neighbor came over seeking help with the
>>> same problem. He handed me the new cartridge, sure enough it didn't
>>> go in. After a _lot_ of trying, fiddling and finally looking closely
>>> at both the printer and cartridge it turned out he'd turned the
>>> new cartridge tail-end-to-head. The outer shape of the cartridge
>>> was fairly symmetric and it _almost_ went in the wrong way. I was
>>> fairly embarrassed at not noticing right away. It took me about
>>> ten minutes to realize what was wrong.  
>>>
>>> Since you've already tried putting the old cartridge back I suspect
>>> you'd have noticed such an error, but only a close inspection of the 
>>> dust cover on the drum tipped me off.
>>>
>>> In fact, I was trying to see where the drum drive gears were. Never
>>> did figure that out....
>>>
>> 
>> Thank you for your reply!  And, yes, I know I'm holding both cartridges
>> right-side-up.  I just need another 1/2" to 3/4" of more 'insert' to
>> have the cartridge(s) in proper position.
>
> I was referring to fore-and-aft orientation, not vertical. Likely you're
> right and I'm being pedantic. In the case of my neighbor's printer there
> were no orientation markings of any kind on the cartridge, printer or
> instructions. Inserted trailing-edge-first his cartridge did exactly
> what you're describing. Here's a Youtube video that mentions what you're
> describing:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7kGuCzmUx0
> which mentions troubles closing the cover. Apparently
> one has to insert the cartridge horizontally and then
> press down vertically at the end of insertion stroke.
> Your new cartridge might be a tighter fit.
>> 
>> The M504n has an almost throw-away price at Amazon.  Maybe getting a new
>> one will put my printing back in play, and at the same time yeild a
>> reason for the current problem.  Fixing the not-so-very old one would
>> give us a spare here for when the next SNAFU comes.
>>
> That's rewarding HP for selling a hard-to-use product. 
> Personally, I'd try to avoid that. 
>  
>> But I'd really like to beat this one into submission.
>>
> I'm of the same mind, and tend to favor Brother printers.
> HP has run its reputation into the ground imho. These days
> there are many excellent alternatives. 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  Your description, plus the YouTube 
demonstration solved my problem!  I feel like an idiot!

It is actually easier to slide the cartridge in wrong-way-round than in 
the correct orientation.  And, as you described, there are NO insertion 
guides or clues anywhere on the cartridge.

> Good luck,

Heh, it wasn't luck I needed; it was a slap upside my head with 
a clue-stick.  You have my sincerest gratitude for sticking with 
me on this problem!  

A belated Happy New Year to you!
Jonesy
-- 
  Marvin L Jones    | Marvin      | W3DHJ.net  | linux
   38.238N 104.547W |  @ jonz.net | Jonesy     |  FreeBSD

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Thread

HP LaserJet Pro M404n toner cartridge problem Allodoxaphobia <trepidation@example.net> - 2026-02-27 15:17 +0000
  Re: HP LaserJet Pro M404n toner cartridge problem bp@www.zefox.net - 2026-02-28 19:03 +0000
    Re: HP LaserJet Pro M404n toner cartridge problem Allodoxaphobia <trepidation@example.net> - 2026-03-01 01:35 +0000
      Re: HP LaserJet Pro M404n toner cartridge problem bp@www.zefox.net - 2026-03-01 03:23 +0000
        Re: HP LaserJet Pro M404n toner cartridge problem Lars Poulsen <lars@beagle-ears.com> - 2026-03-02 13:17 +0000
          Re: HP LaserJet Pro M404n toner cartridge problem Hendrik van der Heijden <hvdh@gmx.de> - 2026-03-08 22:22 +0100
            Re: HP LaserJet Pro M404n toner cartridge problem TJ <TJ@noneofyour.business> - 2026-03-09 10:54 -0400
        Re: HP LaserJet Pro M404n toner cartridge problem Allodoxaphobia <trepidation@example.net> - 2026-03-02 14:10 +0000
          Re: HP LaserJet Pro M404n toner cartridge problem bp@www.zefox.net - 2026-03-02 22:53 +0000

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