Lexmark B2236dw: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Lexmark B2236dw right for you?

The B2236dw is Lexmark's smallest wireless mono laser, aimed at home offices that want fast duplex printing without inkjet running costs. It is quick for its size but its 1,200-page starter-class cartridges run out fast, so most owners move to the 3,000-page B221H00. The 12,000-page imaging unit is a separate purchase that catches people out, and Lexmark firmware is strict about third-party chips on this series.

Best for: Home offices and students wanting cheap, fast duplex mono printing

Setting up the Lexmark B2236dw

Join Wi-Fi from the Network/Ports menu on the 2-line display or by holding the WPS button on the router, then print a network setup page to confirm the IP. Lexmark Mobile Print walks phone users through setup; Windows users should install the Lexmark Universal Print Driver from support.lexmark.com rather than relying on the basic built-in driver. Wi-Fi Direct is available for guest printing.

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 Lexmark'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 Lexmark B2236dw uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• B221000 Return Program toner (1,200 pages)
• B221H00 high-yield toner (3,000 pages)
• B220Z00 imaging unit (12,000 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