HP LaserJet Pro M404n: wired monochrome printing with manual duplex review

The M404 for an office that accepts manual two-sided printing

The HP LaserJet Pro M404n is a monochrome, print-only laser. HP's exact US page identifies W1A52A#BGJ and marks it discontinued. Its role is straightforward: print black-and-white office documents over USB or an existing wired network. There is no scanner, copier or fax hardware, and a mobile application's camera features do not change that physical configuration.

The n suffix has manual duplex with driver support. If a document needs both sides printed, the operator must handle and reload the first printed stack as instructed. It does not qualify for an automatic two-sided printing requirement. The neighboring M404dn and M404dw have different duplex configurations, so their feature lists should not be applied to an n unit.

The reviewed US version uses the documented 110–127-volt, 50/60-Hz supply. HP also specifies a separate 220–240-volt edition and says these are not dual-voltage products. Check the actual product label and electrical configuration when examining an earlier unit, as the shared model name is not an electrical conversion feature.

Share it over Ethernet without assuming a wireless radio

Standard connections are USB 2.0 to a computer and Gigabit Ethernet to the local network. The exact model specification says no wireless capability. It therefore has neither the included infrastructure Wi-Fi setup nor the direct wireless routine documented for the dw configuration. A generic family feature tile is insufficient evidence to add either connection.

For a shared office queue, connect Ethernet and install an actual compatible print driver on each computer that needs it. HP documents AirPrint and Mopria network printing. A phone using the same local network can reach the printer even while the printer itself remains connected by Ethernet. The mobile device's wireless link does not make the printer wireless.

The original AirPrint instructions require the appropriate shared network or subnet. This review describes that network routine separately from the direct USB computer routine. Old cloud-service names in a historical feature list are not needed to establish the local arrangement, and this review does not depend on their continued availability.

Two genuine paper stacks provide 350 sheets

The included inputs are a 100-sheet multipurpose tray and a 250-sheet main tray, with the original capacities specified for 75 g/m² paper. Together they provide 350 ordinary sheets. The separate 550-sheet accessory can raise an equipped system's capacity, but it is optional and is not included in the standard matching total.

The original paper table positively lists Letter, Legal and A4 in both included feeds. Set the paper guides, size and media type to agree with the actual job. The table also lists a duplexer for certain sizes, but that table describes compatible components across a family. It does not install a duplexer in M404n.

For envelopes, follow the specific original guide rather than a broad product-page size list. Use Tray 1 only, up to ten envelopes, face up with the short postage end leading. Choose the correct envelope size, Envelope type and instructed manual-feed source. Labels also use Tray 1. The ordinary-sheet capacity cannot be interpreted as an envelope capacity.

Private printing requires an added storage device

A rear host USB socket and job-storage software are documented, but the original setup has a separate hardware requirement: a dedicated USB 2.0 storage device with at least 16 GB free. It must be installed and configured with a compatible driver before the private-job routine is available. The documented standard package does not include that dedicated storage.

Consequently, this review does not count the included M404n as ready for PIN-held release. An administration password is a different feature, and an advertised optional pull-print function is not proof that all required equipment is in the box. If private printing is the intended reason to keep this machine, verify the complete upgraded workflow on the actual unit.

Use the regional supply and default-speed figures

The current exact US specification lists up to 40 Letter pages per minute at its default speed and separately up to 42 in HP High Speed mode, which may require a firmware update. The matching rate uses the default 40. Recommended monthly printing is 750–4,000 pages, distinct from the 80,000-page maximum duty cycle. None of these are measured results from this review.

For the US configuration, HP specifies 58A CF258A toner around 3,000 pages or 58X CF258X around 10,000 under ISO/IEC 19752. Other regions use different cartridge families. HP's dynamic-security notice also identifies its new-or-reused HP-chip requirement. Declared replacement yield does not reveal remaining toner in an older unit.

The closed body is about 15 inches wide, 14.06 deep and 8.5 high. Allow additional tray and service space; conflicting source weights remain unconfirmed here. M404n suits a wired monochrome routine when manual duplex and print-only functions are deliberate, acceptable limits.