HP 3301 setup: power cord, toner chip, Wi-Fi.

Setup for the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw and 3301sdw. Two things are not in the box with our refurbished units: the power cord and toner.

1. The power cord: IEC C13 to NEMA 5-15P

It takes a standard 3-prong AC cord, the same one a desktop computer or monitor uses. If you have no spare, search “computer power cord C13”.

2. Toner: activate the chip before you fit it

Compatible 218X cartridges often come with a chip tool or an app. If the instructions say to activate or upgrade the chip, do it before the cartridges go into the printer. Once the printer reads a cartridge, its chip cannot always be reset. Fitting first is the most common reason a compatible cartridge is rejected.

HP’s firmware can block cartridges with a non-HP chip. Buy the set with the chip fitted and turn off automatic firmware updates before you fit it: Menu → Utilities → Settings → Firmware Update → Next → “Do Not Check”.

3. First-time setup

1. Unbox the printer and remove all tape and packing material.
2. Plug in the power cord and turn it on.
3. Prepare the toner as its maker says, then fit the cartridges.
4. Connect to Wi-Fi from the touchscreen, or use the free HP Smart app (iOS, Android, desktop) for guided setup and drivers.
5. Print a test page.

“Cartridge problem” after fitting toner?

It almost always means the toner went in before its chip was activated. How to fix it →

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