Dell 1720dn Laser Printer: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Dell 1720dn Laser Printer right for you?

The Dell 1720dn is a Lexmark-built workgroup mono laser with automatic duplex, Ethernet and a 50,000-page duty cycle. Its separate imaging drum and toner cartridge make it cheap to run and easy to service, and because it speaks PCL and PostScript it still works with generic drivers on Windows 11 and macOS. It is a genuinely durable printer; worn pickup rollers and the drum counter reset are the main things owners need help with.

Best for: Offices that want a tough, cheap-to-run network mono laser with duplex

Setting up the Dell 1720dn Laser Printer

Dell's site still carries the 1720dn driver, but the built-in Microsoft PCL6 or a generic PostScript driver works just as well. Add it by IP over Ethernet; print a network settings page by holding the Continue button. After fitting a new drum, reset the counter by opening the front cover and holding the Cancel button as described in the manual.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the toner cartridge and drum unit, and load paper in the tray.
2. Join your Wi-Fi. Keep the printer close to the router for setup. Most printers only connect to the 2.4GHz band, so if your router broadcasts one merged network name you may need to split the bands temporarily. See our Wi-Fi guide if it will not join.
3. Install the setup app. Use Dell's official app rather than a driver you found on a search result — third-party driver sites are the most common source of printer malware.
4. Add the printer. On Windows 11: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › Add device. On macOS: System Settings › Printers & Scanners › Add Printer.
5. Print a test page and run a scan if this is an all-in-one, so you find any problem now rather than when you are in a hurry.

Ink, toner and supplies

The Dell 1720dn Laser Printer uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• Dell 310-8707 (MW558) high-yield toner (6,000 pages)
• Dell 310-8709 (GR332) standard toner (3,000 pages)
• Dell 310-8710 (MW685) imaging drum (30,000 pages)

High-yield (XL) versions almost always cost less per page if you print regularly. On third-party ink and toner, read our honest assessment first, and note that some manufacturers push firmware that rejects non-original chips.

Full specifications