What Ink Does the Epson WF-7840 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7840 uses four individual Epson 812 DURABrite Ultra pigment cartridges: Black, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow. The high-capacity Epson 812XL cartridges fit the same slots and print about 1,100 pages each. That's more than three times a standard black, so they're the better buy for a wide-format office printer. For heavy text printing, Epson also sells an 812XXL black rated at about 2,200 pages.
CastleScore · October 2026
80/100 — Highly Recommended
Epson WF-7840
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 78 | 3.98★ average across 3,334 ratings at Best Buy (4.3), Staples (3.8), Amazon (3.9), Target (3.8) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 80 | PCMag 4.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 71 | About 6.1¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 812XL (1,100 pages each). Docked because the printer can reject cartridges without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (13%) | 87 | Most-reported problems: wi-Fi connection drops or won't reconnect |
| Features (12%) | 97 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen, fast (20+ ppm). |
| Value (5%) | 69 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $229 |
Still sold new at $229.99 at Epson, Staples and Adorama (list price $379.99). It launched in 2020.
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 8, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
812XL 4-packBlack + Cyan/Magenta/Yellow
812XL BlackT812XL120 · ~1,100 pages
812XL CyanT812XL220 · ~1,100 pages
812XL MagentaT812XL320 · ~1,100 pages
812XL 4-pack
812XL Black
812XL Cyan
812XL MagentaOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Epson WF-7840 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epson 812 Black | T812120-S | Black | ~350 pages |
| Epson 812 Cyan | T812220-S | Cyan | ~300 pages |
| Epson 812 Magenta | T812320-S | Magenta | ~300 pages |
| Epson 812 Yellow | T812420-S | Yellow | ~300 pages |
| Epson 812XL Black | T812XL120-S | Black | ~1,100 pages |
| Epson 812XL Cyan | T812XL220-S | Cyan | ~1,100 pages |
| Epson 812XL Magenta | T812XL320-S | Magenta | ~1,100 pages |
| Epson 812XL Yellow | T812XL420-S | Yellow | ~1,100 pages |
| Epson 812XXL Black | T812XXL120-S | Black | ~2,200 pages |
Epson 812 fits four printers: the WorkForce Pro WF-7840 and WF-7820 all-in-ones, the WF-7310 printer and the WorkForce EC-C7000. It does not fit the smaller WorkForce Pro WF-3820 and WF-4820, which take Epson 822. It also won't fit the older WF-7710/7720, which use Epson 252. The ink is pigment-based in all four colors, so prints hold up well against water and highlighters. That's one reason the WF-7840 is popular for plans, spreadsheets and 11 x 17 handouts. Here's more on pigment vs. dye ink.
How to Replace Ink in the Epson WF-7840
- Turn the printer on. When the screen shows an ink warning, choose the option to replace cartridges.
- Lift the scanner unit. The cartridge holder moves to the replacement position. Don't move it by hand.
- Squeeze the tab on the empty cartridge and lift it straight out.
- Gently shake the new cartridge four or five times, unwrap it and remove the yellow tape. Don't touch the green chip.
- Insert it into the slot for its color and press down until it clicks.
- Close the scanner unit. Wait for the printer to finish charging the ink before you print.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Cannot recognize the ink cartridge": Remove it, check that all the yellow tape is off, and press it down firmly until it clicks. Epson's own FAQ says firmware updates may leave non-Epson cartridges unrecognized, and its only fix is genuine ink. Rolling the firmware back is often blocked, so if you use non-Epson cartridges, including ours, consider turning off automatic firmware updates. More fixes in printer says ink cartridge not recognized.
Banding or missing lines on wide prints: Run a Nozzle Check from Maintenance, then Print Head Cleaning if you see gaps. The WF-7840's PrecisionCore printhead is permanent, so stop after two or three cleanings, let the printer rest a few hours, and try again. See faded or streaky prints for more.
Printer stops with a maintenance box message: The WF-7840 has a replaceable maintenance box that collects ink from cleaning cycles. When it's full, the printer stops until you replace it. That's normal and separate from the ink cartridges.
What WorkForce Pro WF-7840 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.
Can I keep printing in black if a color cartridge runs out?
Only for a short time, and only on plain paper or envelopes with borderless printing off. On Windows, choose Black/Grayscale and then Print in Black in Epson Status Monitor. On a Mac, turn on "Permit temporary black printing" first.
My non-Epson cartridges stopped working after the printer updated. What happened?
Epson says its firmware updates are built around genuine Epson cartridges, so other cartridges may show as not recognized afterward, and its only fix is genuine ink. Rolling the firmware back is often blocked, so if you use non-Epson cartridges, consider turning off automatic updates.
Is there a higher-capacity black than 812XL?
Yes. The Epson 812XXL black (T812XXL120-S) is rated at about 2,200 pages, double the 812XL. It suits offices that print mostly text.
Can it scan 11 x 17 originals?
Yes. Both the flatbed and the 50-sheet auto-duplex document feeder take originals up to 11 x 17 in.
What is the largest paper it prints on, and where does it go?
Up to 13 x 19 in. (A3+), borderless. The two 250-sheet front trays hold 500 sheets, and a 50-sheet rear tray takes extra sheets.
WorkForce Pro WF-7840 quirks worth knowing
- Epson sells an extra-high-capacity 812XXL black (about 2,200 pages) for this printer. Most ink guides list only 812 and 812XL.
- Two-sided printing costs speed: Epson rates it at 25 ppm black and 12 ppm color one-sided, and 16 and 9 ppm two-sided.
- Epson's combo pack T812XL-BCS pairs an XL black with standard colors (about 300 pages each), not XL colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the WF-7840 use the same ink as the WF-7820?
Yes. Both take Epson 812 and 812XL.
Will Epson 822 or 252 cartridges fit the WF-7840?
No. Epson 822 is for the WF-3820/4820/4830 and Epson 252 is for the older WF-7710/7720/7620. Neither fits the WF-7840.
Does using compatible ink void my Epson warranty?
No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Epson can't void your printer warranty just because you used third-party cartridges.
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 8, 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.