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Compatible HP 38A Black Toner Cartridge (Q1338A, Q5942A), compatible cartridge photo

Photos show the compatible cartridge. Images marked OEM show the genuine HP product for reference.

Compatible HP 38A Black Toner Cartridge (12,000 pages)

Replaces HP 38A (Q1338A, Q5942A) · SKU TS-HP38A

$49.99 Genuine $139.50 Save $89.51, 64%

12,000 pages, about 0.4¢ per page

Buying for the office? The price drops with quantity.

  • 2 or more$47.49 eachsave 5%
  • 4 or more$44.99 eachsave 10%
  • 10 or more$42.49 eachsave 15%

Applied automatically in the cart. Mix and match does not apply; the break is per cartridge.

  • Free shipping on every order
  • Lifetime satisfaction guarantee
  • 90-day returns, including opened cartridges that are defective
  • Printer damage protection on every cartridge we sell

Buying for an office? See business pricing

This compatible 38A prints about 12,000 pages at roughly 0.4¢ a page and replaces the genuine HP 38A. It fits the HP LaserJet 4200dtn, HP LaserJet 4200n and HP LaserJet 4200tn and 10 other HP models.

Will this fit my printer?

Fits 13 printer models. Pick yours to see everything else it takes.

Find your cartridge

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Specifications

Replaces OEM numberHP 38A
Also written as42A, Q1338A, Q5942A
ColorBlack
Rated yield12,000 pages (Approx. yield per ISO/IEC 19752 / 19798 at 5% coverage (letter/A4))
Yield classStandard yield
Cost per page0.4¢ at our price
ChipNot published by HP
BuildConfirmed with the supplier before launch
Facts checked2026-09-22 by Dan Whitaker, Print Technician

Specs from acmtech.com.

Genuine 38A vs ours

Genuine HP 38ATonerInkWorld 38A
Price$139.50$49.99
Rated yield12,000 pages12,000 pages
Cost per page1.2¢0.4¢
Printer warrantyUnaffectedUnaffected under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
ReturnsVaries by seller90 days, opened defective cartridges included

Genuine price from SupplyLink USA genuine listing, checked Sep 22, 2026. Source. Prices move, so we re-check monthly.

How to install it

  1. Open the cartridge door on the front of the printer.
  2. Pull the old cartridge straight out.
  3. Take the new cartridge out of its bag and rock it gently five or six times end to end.
  4. Pull the sealing tab straight out to remove the tape.
  5. Line the cartridge up with the guides inside the printer and push it in until it seats.
  6. Close the door and print a test page.

If something goes wrong

The printer does not recognize the cartridge

Power the printer down, reseat the cartridge, and make sure the contacts and chip are clean. If the message stays, check whether a firmware update changed how the printer reads third-party chips.

Full guide

Pages come out blank or very light

Nine times out of ten the sealing tape is still in place or the cartridge needs rocking to spread the toner. Pull the cartridge, check the tape, rock it gently, and reinstall.

Full guide

Streaks or a repeating mark down the page

Streaks usually come from the drum, not the toner. Clean the corona wire if your printer has one, and check the drum count before replacing the cartridge again.

Full guide

Questions about the 38A

How many pages does a 38A print?

About 12,000 pages. The rating follows Approx. yield per ISO/IEC 19752 / 19798 at 5% coverage (letter/A4). That is a rated average, so heavy graphics use toner faster than plain text.

38A or 38X: which one fits my printer?

Both fit the same printers. The 38A is the standard-yield cartridge and the 38X is the high-yield one, so the difference is how often you swap it, not whether it works.

Does a compatible cartridge void my printer warranty?

No. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act a manufacturer cannot void your warranty just because you used a third-party cartridge. If a cartridge of ours damages your printer, our printer damage protection covers the repair.

What if it does not work in my printer?

Send it back. Returns are open for 90 days and that includes opened cartridges that are defective. Shipping is free both ways.

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Before you order

Dan Whitaker, Print Technician, checks the part number, printer list and yield on this page against HP's published specs. How we check cartridges.

90-day returns, including opened cartridges that are defective. Guarantee and returns. To start a return, email returns@tonerinkworld.com with your order number.

Page updated Sep 22, 2026. Brand names and part numbers are used only to identify compatibility. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any printer manufacturer.