Compatible HP 120A W1120A drum: installation, chip reset and savings | Star Toner

The drum (imaging unit) is a separate part from the toner: it transfers the colour to the paper and wears out with use. If your HP Color Laser printer warns of the end of drum life, or repeated marks and streaks start appearing on your prints, it is time to replace it. The compatible HP 120A W1120A drum from Star Toner yields up to 16,000 pages and includes a chip, for €24.99.

What it is and which printers it fits

The W1120A is the imaging unit for the entry-level HP Color Laser range. It does not contain toner: it is the photoconductor drum that works alongside the colour cartridges. This compatible drum is valid EXACTLY for these models:

• HP Color Laser 150a
• HP Color Laser 150nw
• HP Color Laser MFP 178nw
• HP Color Laser MFP 178nwg
• HP Color Laser MFP 179fnw
• HP Color Laser MFP 179fwg

If your machine does not appear in this list, do not fit it: check the reference before you buy.

How to install it and what to do if "the cartridge is not recognised"

Installation is straightforward: switch off the printer, open the access cover, remove the old drum, take off the seals and protective covers from the new one and slot it into its guide until you hear it click. Close the cover and switch on. Handle the drum by the ends and avoid exposing the green roller to direct light.

If, after the swap, a drum not recognised or incompatible consumable warning appears, try this order:

• Switch off the printer, wait 30 seconds and switch it back on to force it to read the new chip.
• Check that the drum is properly seated and that no seal has been left in place.
• Ignore the "non-original consumable" warnings: these are normal system alerts and do not prevent printing.

Bear in mind that HP periodically releases firmware updates that can block consumables that previously worked. If this happens to you, we explain it in how HP firmware blocks cartridges. And if you need to check the colour quality after the swap, use our CMYK print test page.

Yield and savings compared with the original

This drum is manufactured to offer the same 16,000-page working life as the reference imaging unit, with a stable colour density throughout its life. The real difference is in the cost: the compatible route noticeably reduces the cost per page compared with the original consumable, while maintaining an equivalent result on everyday office documents and graphics.

If you want to understand how much the consumable really weighs on your printing bill, read the real cost of printing. And to see the comparison in practice, take a look at our test original vs compatible, printed side by side.

Why buy it at Star Toner

At Star Toner we specialise in compatible consumables with ISO 9001 quality controls, a legal guarantee and fast delivery. You can buy the compatible HP 120A W1120A drum with chip directly from its product page.

Remember that the drum and the toner are separate parts: when you change the drum, take the opportunity to check your compatible colour cartridges, such as the compatible HP CF450A toner or the compatible HP 508A CF360A toner. If you have any doubts about your rights as a buyer, see our guide on the legal guarantee on compatible cartridges in Spain.

Frequently asked questions