HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw right for you?

The LaserJet Pro 3001dw filled the gap between the small M209 and the business 4001 in 2023, offering a 35 ppm duplex engine, Ethernet and dual-band Wi-Fi in a compact screenless box. It is aimed at home offices and small businesses that print more than a couple of thousand pages a month, and the 138X cartridge keeps cost per page sensible. The 3001dwe version is the HP+ edition with toner lock and an online requirement, so the suffix matters.

Best for: Home offices and small businesses wanting a mid-volume duplex mono printer

Setting up the HP LaserJet Pro 3001dw

Set up from HP Smart with Bluetooth on, or plug into Ethernet and add it by IP. The 3001dwe requires an HP account and HP+ activation; the 3001dw does not. Status is reported only through LEDs, so install HP Smart on at least one PC for toner levels and error details.

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 LaserJet Pro 3001dw uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• HP 138A (W1380A) toner
• HP 138X (W1380X) high-yield toner

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