What Ink Does the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4640 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4640 uses Epson 786 ink, or the high-capacity 786XL. Four individual DURABrite Ultra pigment cartridges.
The wrong answer that dominates this model is Epson 676XL. It fits the previous WorkForce Pro generation — WP-4010, WP-4020, WP-4520, WP-4530, WP-4540 and siblings — and not this printer. Also cross-listed: 788XXL (WF-5110, WF-5190, WF-5620, WF-5690) and 252XL (WF-3620, WF-3640, WF-7000 series).
CastleScore · October 2026
79/100 — Recommended
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4640
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 58 | 3.00★ average across 331 ratings at Amazon (3.0) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 96 | About 1.2¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 786XL (2,600 black / 2,000 color pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 82 | Most-reported problems: pigment nozzles clog when the printer sits; paper jams at multiple points; ink pad 'part at end of service life' message requires Epson service |
| Features (12%) | 92 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen, fast (20+ ppm). |
| Value (5%) | 77 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough published expert scores for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. Epson no longer sells the WF-4640 new and names no successor. Epson 786 and 786XL cartridges are still sold.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
786XL 4-packBlack + Cyan/Magenta/Yellow
786XL BlackT786XL120 · ~2,600 pages
786XL CyanT786XL220 · ~2,000 pages
786XL MagentaT786XL320 · ~2,000 pages
786XL 4-pack
786XL Black
786XL Cyan
786XL MagentaOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4640 ink at a glance
| Cartridge | Family | Part Number | Approx. Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black (standard) | Epson 786 | T786120-S | 900 pages |
| Cyan (standard) | Epson 786 | T786220-S | 800 pages |
| Magenta (standard) | Epson 786 | T786320-S | 800 pages |
| Yellow (standard) | Epson 786 | T786420-S | 800 pages |
| Black (high capacity) | Epson 786XL | T786XL120-S | 2,600 pages |
| Cyan (high capacity) | Epson 786XL | T786XL220-S | 2,000 pages |
| Magenta (high capacity) | Epson 786XL | T786XL320-S | 2,000 pages |
| Yellow (high capacity) | Epson 786XL | T786XL420-S | 2,000 pages |
Epson's own ISO figures. On a machine built to hold 580 sheets of paper, the XL tier is not really optional — 2,600 pages of black against 900 is the difference between a cartridge change every few weeks and every few months.
The trailing -S on these part numbers denotes the single-cartridge retail pack. Epson's support documents use the bare numbers. Both are genuine, so do not be put off by seeing it both ways.
Is there an XXL tier?
No. Epson's product page, User's Guide, specification sheet and its ink FAQ for this model list only 786 and 786XL. Epson's own 788XXL page lists compatibility as the WF-5110, WF-5190, WF-5620 and WF-5690, not the WF-4640. Buy 786XL and do not order 788XXL for this printer.
The maintenance box is a second consumable
The T6710 maintenance box (retail part T671000) stores ink flushed out during print head cleaning. When it fills, the printer stops until you replace it. It is user-replaceable and chipped, so it has to be a new box — there is no reset.
Order carefully: T6711 is a different box, for the WF-3620, WF-7110, WF-7610 and WF-7720. The numbers differ by one digit, so check before you order.
About the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4640
The higher-capacity half of this pair, and the differences from the WF-4630 are narrow but real: two 250-sheet cassettes plus an 80-sheet rear feed for 580 sheets total, and a 4.3-inch colour touchscreen instead of 3.5-inch. Everything else is the same machine.
That means print, scan, copy and fax at 20 ISO ppm black and colour, 11 ppm two-sided, automatic duplex printing plus automatic two-sided copy, scan and fax, and a 35-sheet ADF with real duplex scanning. Connectivity includes wired gigabit Ethernet alongside Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and USB, and it takes paper up to 47 inches long.
The two cassettes are the reason to choose it: letter in one, legal or letterhead in the other, switched from the driver without swapping stacks. Epson has discontinued it, but 786XL remains widely stocked.
Common problems on this model
Banding, faded output or wrong colours
All four inks are pigment, which is what makes output smudge-resistant and also what makes the nozzles prone to clogging when the printer sits. Epson's documented order: nozzle check, head cleaning, check the paper type setting matches the loaded paper, check the printable side is up, turn off High Speed in the driver, then print head alignment. Space cleaning cycles out rather than running them back to back — each one fills the maintenance box faster.
Maintenance box full
Replace with T6710. The printer will not print until you do, and there is no way to reset a used box.
"A part inside your printer is at the end of its service life"
This is the ink pads, not the maintenance box, and replacing the box will not clear it. Epson's documented route is its service line or a certified technician. Epson notes most users never reach it under normal use.
Paper pulled from the wrong cassette
Specific to the two-tray design. Set the paper size and type for each cassette on the front panel, and select the source explicitly in the driver — a mismatch between what the panel thinks is loaded and what is actually there is the usual cause.
What WF-4640 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, Epson's support pages and owner reviews, answered in our words.
How long can an opened cartridge sit before print quality suffers?
Epson advises using up a cartridge within six months of opening the package.
Where do I look for a paper jam?
Epson lists four places: inside the front cover, the paper cassette, the rear cover and duplexer (press the buttons on its sides to remove it), and the document feeder cover. Then follow the prompts on the screen.
Could a firmware update stop my cartridges from working?
We found no reports specific to the WF-4640. But Epson firmware updates on WorkForce models of the same era, including the WF-3640 named in a 2019 class action, made printers reject third-party and refilled cartridges. Turning off automatic firmware updates avoids that risk going forward.
Does it do color fax and PC fax?
Yes. The fax memory holds up to 550 pages, with 200 speed dials.
WF-4640 quirks worth knowing
- The 80-sheet rear feeder is the place for envelopes and specialty paper, so you don't have to empty a cassette.
- Epson rates it for up to 30,000 pages a month but recommends no more than 2,000.
- Epson doesn't include a USB cable in the box.
FAQ
What ink does the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4640 use?
Epson 786 or 786XL in black, cyan, magenta and yellow.
Does the WF-4640 use 676XL?
No. That is the older WP-4000 series. There is also no standard "Epson 676" — that family was XL only.
Does it take 788XXL?
Epson's User's Guide, spec sheet and its own 788XXL product page all point away from this model. Use 786XL.
Which maintenance box does it use?
T6710, retail part T671000 — not T6711.
What is the difference between the WF-4640 and WF-4630?
The 4640 has a second 250-sheet cassette (580 sheets total) and a 4.3-inch screen. The 4630 has one cassette (330 sheets) and a 3.5-inch screen. Ink, speed, duplex and ADF are identical.
Does the ADF scan both sides?
Yes — genuine automatic duplex scanning, not flip-and-rescan.
Other printers that use Epson 786
More Epson ink guides: Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 · Epson WorkForce WF-2950 · Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 — CastleScore 90
- Epson EcoTank ET-2850 — CastleScore 86
- Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820 — CastleScore 80
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 10, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Epson ink cartridges? Shop Epson ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.