Panasonic KX-MB1520: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Panasonic KX-MB1520 right for you?

The fax version of the KX-MB1500, this compact four-in-one gave small shops a laser fax machine that also printed and copied. Panasonic's fax firmware is genuinely good and handles poor phone lines better than most all-in-ones. With the brand out of the printer market, treat it as a fax and copy device that happens to print, and keep a spare toner because the machine stops dead when the cartridge empties.

Best for: Small shops needing a compact laser fax that also prints and copies

Setting up the Panasonic KX-MB1520

Set the dial mode to tone or pulse and enter any outside-line prefix in the fax settings before testing. Fax and copy work independently of the PC, so a driver problem on Windows does not stop the machine being useful. For PC printing and scanning, install Multi-Function Station first and only then connect USB; on Windows 11 you may need compatibility mode or a generic driver for printing plus Windows Fax and Scan for the scanner.

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 Panasonic'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 Panasonic KX-MB1520 uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• Panasonic KX-FAT410 toner (2,500 pages)
• KX-FAD412 drum unit (6,000 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