What Ink Does the Epson WorkForce WF-3620 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Epson WorkForce WF-3620 uses Epson 252 (standard) or 252XL (high-capacity) DURABrite Ultra ink cartridges in four colors: black, cyan, magenta and yellow. Choose 252XL: the black prints about 1,100 pages versus about 350 for the standard 252. Castle Ink's remanufactured 252XL 4-pack is $29.50, and single XL colors are $8.99.
CastleScore · October 2026
78/100 — Recommended
Epson WorkForce WF-3620
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 66 | 3.40★ average across 2,486 ratings at Amazon (3.4) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 86 | About 1.6¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 252XL (1,100 pages each). Docked because the printer can reject cartridges without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (13%) | 81 | Most-reported problems: firmware updates on this printer family caused third-party/refilled 252 cartridges to stop being recognized; 2019 class action alleged Epson firmware updates made WorkForce printers reject third-party ink with a 'cannot recognize' error; ink pads reach end of service life and the printer stops |
| Features (12%) | 87 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 76 | 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-3620 new and names the WorkForce Pro WF-3820 as its replacement. Epson 252 and 252XL cartridges are still widely 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
252XL 4-packBlack + Cyan/Magenta/Yellow
252XL Black 3-packT252XL120 · ~1,100 pages each
252XL CyanT252XL220 · ~1,100 pages
252XL MagentaT252XL320 · ~1,100 pages
252XL YellowT252XL420 · ~1,100 pages
252XL 4-pack
252XL Black 3-pack
252XL Cyan
252XL Magenta
252XL YellowOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
What Ink Cartridges Does the Epson WF-3620 Use?
| Cartridge | Epson part | Approx. page yield | Castle Ink |
|---|---|---|---|
| 252XL Black | T252XL120 | ~1,100 pages | 252XL black 3-pack, $36.55 |
| 252XL Cyan | T252XL220 | ~1,100 pages | $8.99 |
| 252XL Magenta | T252XL320 | ~1,100 pages | $8.99 |
| 252XL Yellow | T252XL420 | ~1,100 pages | $8.99 |
| 252XL 4-pack (K/C/M/Y) | — | One of each | $29.50 |
| 252 standard (T252120 etc.) | — | ~350 black / ~300 color | Upgrade to 252XL for lower cost per page |
Yields are Epson's ISO/IEC 24711 estimates. Castle Ink prices checked September 2026.
Which Printers Use the Same Ink as the Epson WF-3620?
Epson 252/252XL cartridges also fit the WorkForce WF-3630, WF-3640, WF-7110, WF-7210, WF-7610, WF-7620, WF-7710 and WF-7720. Look up any model in our find ink by printer directory.
Should I Buy Epson 252 or 252XL?
252XL. The XL black holds roughly three times the ink of the standard black, and XL colors hold several times more, so cost per page drops sharply and you'll replace cartridges far less often. Standard 252 only makes sense if you print so rarely that ink could dry out first.
How Do I Replace the Ink in the Epson WF-3620?
- Turn the printer on and lift the scanner unit. The cartridge holder moves to the replacement position.
- Squeeze the tab on the empty cartridge and lift it straight out.
- Gently shake the new cartridge four or five times, remove the yellow tape (don't touch the green chip), and press it into its slot until it clicks.
- Close the scanner unit. The printer charges the ink, which takes about two minutes; don't turn it off during this time.
Why Does My WF-3620 Say "Cannot Recognize the Ink Cartridge"?
Remove and reinstall the cartridge, making sure the yellow tape is fully removed and the cartridge clicks into place. Wipe the green chip gently with a dry lint-free cloth and restart the printer. If the message began after a firmware update, the update may be rejecting non-Epson chips; turn off automatic firmware updates in the printer's settings or Epson software. That stops future updates but doesn't undo one already installed. More in ink cartridge not recognized and printer firmware updates and third-party ink.
How Do I Fix Streaks or Missing Colors on the WF-3620?
Run a Nozzle Check from the Setup → Maintenance menu. If lines are missing, run one Head Cleaning, then check again. Limit yourself to two or three cleanings in a row, and let the printer rest if gaps remain. Epson printheads are permanent, so regular printing (at least weekly) is the best prevention. See Epson printer not printing color and Epson printer not printing: 10 fixes.
What Are the Epson WF-3620's Key Features?
The WF-3620 is a 4-in-1 (print, scan, copy, fax) business inkjet with automatic two-sided printing, a 35-sheet automatic document feeder that scans both sides of a page, a 250-sheet paper tray, a 2.7-inch color touchscreen, and Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and wired Ethernet. For fax, connect a phone line to the LINE port and set your country/region in the fax settings.
Epson WF-3620 Ink FAQs
What ink does the Epson WF-3620 use?
Epson 252 (standard) or 252XL (high-capacity) cartridges in black, cyan, magenta and yellow.
Can I use 252XL instead of 252?
Yes. They fit the same slots; 252XL simply holds more ink.
Can I use Epson 212 or 220 cartridges in the WF-3620?
No. Those are for other Epson models and won't fit or be recognized.
Can the WF-3620 print with only black ink?
Epson printers generally need all cartridges installed and not expended. Some models let you print black-only temporarily when color is low; replace empty cartridges promptly.
Does the WF-3620 have Ethernet?
Yes. It has 10/100 wired Ethernet alongside Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), Wi-Fi Direct and USB.
Are remanufactured 252XL cartridges safe to use?
Yes, and using them won't void your warranty. The one caveat on this printer family is firmware: Epson updates have caused non-Epson 252 cartridges to stop being recognized on the WF-3640, which takes the same ink, so we suggest turning off automatic firmware updates. See are compatible cartridges safe?
Need help? Contact us. Orders placed by 4 PM ET Monday–Friday ship the same day, with free shipping over $50.
What WF-3620 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.
Which maintenance box does the WF-3620 take?
Epson lists the T6711 ink maintenance box for this model. The WF-4630 and WF-4640 use the T6710, which is one digit off, so check the number before you order.
It says an ink pad is at the end of its service life. Can I replace it myself?
No. Epson says the ink pads are not user-replaceable, and out of warranty they have to be replaced by an Epson-authorized service provider. When the message only says the pad is nearing the end of its life, you can press the Start button to keep printing for now.
The screen says "Recovery mode." What happened?
A firmware update didn't finish. Epson's fix is to connect the printer to a computer with a USB cable and run the firmware updater again.
The fax says there is no dial tone. What should I check?
Make sure the phone cable is in the LINE jack and the line itself works. If you are on an office PBX or a terminal adapter, turn off Dial Tone Detection, then run Check Fax Connection from the fax settings.
WF-3620 quirks worth knowing
- Besides the 250-sheet front tray, a single-sheet rear feed takes paper up to 8.5 x 47.2 inches, long enough for banners.
- Epson rates it for up to 20,000 pages a month but recommends no more than 1,300. Staying under that number is better for the print head and the ink pads.
- The fax is fuller than most home models: color fax, PC Fax, 180 pages of memory and 100 speed dials.
- Epson firmware updates have caused non-Epson 252 cartridges to stop being recognized on the WF-3640, which takes the same ink, and the WF-3640 was named in a 2019 class action over it. We found no WF-3620-specific reports, but turning off automatic firmware updates is a sensible precaution.
Other printers that use Epson 252
Epson WorkForce WF-7720 · Epson WorkForce WF-3640 · Epson WorkForce WF-7710
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.