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HP LaserJet Pro M404n toner cartridge problem

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  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 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

#751 — HP LaserJet Pro M404n toner cartridge problem

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?

Tnx in advance, Jonesy
-- 
  Marvin L Jones    | Marvin      | W3DHJ.net  | linux
   38.238N 104.547W |  @ jonz.net | Jonesy     |  FreeBSD

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#752

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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#753

In comp.periphs.printers Allodoxaphobia <trepidation@example.net> wrote:
> 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!
I felt the same way. However, I did have the consolation
of being handed the cartridge in the wrong orientation.
On the other hand, It was handed to me by a retired physician.

Fortunately, he wasn't a surgeon 8-)

> 
> 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

It was a pleasure to turn my frustration into something useful!

bob prohaska

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