Lexmark E260dn: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Lexmark E260dn right for you?

The E260dn is a 2008-era mono laser that earned a reputation for being nearly indestructible, and plenty remain in use as backup or low-volume printers. It has no display, only status lights, so diagnosing faults means reading the light sequence against the manual. The photoconductor kit is a separate part; when print becomes uniformly grey or speckled, it has usually exceeded its 30,000-page life.

Best for: Anyone keeping an old but sturdy mono laser alive as a secondary printer

Setting up the Lexmark E260dn

Windows 11 will install a generic PCL driver automatically, but the Lexmark Universal Print Driver gives correct duplex and tray options. Print a network setup page by holding the Continue button to find the IP address, then add the printer by TCP/IP. There is no wireless, AirPrint or mobile support on this model.

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 E260dn uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• E260A11A Return Program toner (3,500 pages)
• E260A21A standard toner (3,500 pages)
• E260X22G photoconductor kit (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