HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw right for you?

The Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw is the fax-equipped top model of HP's Color LaserJet Pro 3000 series, announced in March 2024 and on sale from around May 2024. It is HP's current small-office color laser all-in-one in the US and most likely replaces the Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw. The same family includes the 3301sdw (no fax) and the print-only Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw, while the UK and Europe get 3302-numbered twins and India the 3303sdw. It suits small offices that print color handouts, invoices and forms and want toner that does not dry out between jobs. Check whether a listing is the fdw or an HP+ variant before assuming third-party toner will work.

Best for: Small offices that need color laser output, scanning and a fax line

Setting up the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw

Unpack the toner cartridges and remove every orange tape strip before powering on. Join Wi-Fi from the control panel or HP Smart, or plug in Ethernet if the printer sits near the router. For scan-to-email and scan-to-folder, open the embedded web server by typing the printer's IP address into a browser. Set the fax header and receive mode on the panel before the first fax. HP groups drivers for this model under the 3301-3304 and 3388 series on its support site.

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 HP'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 HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• HP toner for the Color LaserJet Pro 3000 series in black, cyan, magenta and yellow (confirm the number on the installed cartridge)

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