What Ink Does the HP DeskJet 1051 Use?

The HP DeskJet 1051 uses HP 61 black and HP 61 tri-color ink cartridges, with higher-yield HP 61XL versions also fully compatible. That applies to printers sold in North America. The 1051 also appears in European listings as the DeskJet 1051A, which takes HP 301, so check the number inside the cartridge door before you order.

The cartridges, pictured

• HP 61XL 2-packBlack + Tri-color
• HP 61XL BlackCH563WN · ~430 pages

Our own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.

Ink Cartridges at a Glance

The 61XL yields are HP's current ratings; HP originally rated them at about 480 black and 330 tri-color pages.

HP 61 / 61XL cartridges also fit the DeskJet 1000, 1010, 1050, 1055, 1056, 1510, 1512, 1513, 1514, 2050, 2510, 2540, 2541, 2542, 2543, 2544, 2546, 2547, 3000, 3050, 3052, 3054, 3056; Envy 4500, 4501, 4502, 4504, 4505, 4507, 5530, 5531, 5535, 5536; and OfficeJet 2620, 4630, 4632, 4634, 4635. Standard or XL? See HP 61 vs HP 61XL for yields, cost per page and HP's 2026 lineup changes.

How to Replace Ink in the HP DeskJet 1051

1. Power on the printer and open the cartridge access door — the carriage will slide to the center.
2. Press down on the empty cartridge and pull it forward out of its slot.
3. Remove the new cartridge from packaging and peel the protective tape off the nozzles.
4. Slide the cartridge into its color-coded slot and push up firmly until you hear a click.
5. Close the access door. The printer prints an alignment page; place it face-down on the scanner glass and press Start Copy Black so the printer can scan it.

Troubleshooting Tips

Cartridge not recognized. Remove the cartridge, wipe the copper contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, and reinstall firmly.

Streaky prints. In the HP printer software, go to Printer Actions > Maintenance Tasks to open the Printer Toolbox, then choose Clean Ink Cartridges on the Device Services tab. The printhead is part of each cartridge, so a new cartridge also gives you a new printhead.

USB connection only. The DeskJet 1051 is a USB printer with no Wi-Fi — connect it directly to your computer with a USB cable.

Paper jams. Fan the paper stack, keep paper below the MAX line, and re-square the side guides snugly.

What DeskJet 1051 owners ask

These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, HP's support forum and owner reviews, answered in our words.

Will the new 2026 HP 61 cartridges work in my 1051?

HP says they fit the same printers as the old 61 and 61XL. The new high-yield black is rated for about 360 pages, fewer than the 61XL black it replaces, so a remanufactured 61XL still gives you more pages per cartridge.

Can it print with only one cartridge installed?

Yes. With one cartridge removed, it switches to single-cartridge mode and keeps printing jobs from your computer. Put both cartridges back in to leave that mode.

What do the blinking cartridge lights mean?

One blinking cartridge light means that cartridge is not seated properly or isn't the right one. Both blinking usually means tape left on a cartridge, or a missing or faulty cartridge. Both plus the Attention light blinking means the carriage has stalled.

How do I tell which cartridge is faulty?

HP's test: take out the black cartridge and close the door. If the On light blinks, replace the tri-color. If it doesn't, replace the black.

I bought my 1051 outside North America. Does it take HP 61?

Maybe not. HP sold this printer family with different cartridges by region: HP 61 in North America, HP 301 in Western Europe, HP 122 in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and HP 802 in China and India. The number is printed inside the cartridge door.

DeskJet 1051 quirks worth knowing

• There is no screen. You run it with four buttons (Power, Cancel, Start Copy Black and Start Copy Color) plus the Attention and cartridge lights; maintenance tasks are in the HP software on your computer.
• Alignment uses the scanner: the printer prints a test sheet, you lay it face-down on the glass, and it scans its own page.
• The cartridges sit deep inside the machine, which makes them awkward to reach. Trusted Reviews flagged this on the 1050.
• HP quotes only draft-mode speeds (up to 16 pages per minute black). Trusted Reviews measured about 6 pages per minute on normal text.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ink does the HP DeskJet 1051 use?
HP 61 black and HP 61 tri-color cartridges, with HP 61XL high-yield options.

Can I use HP 61XL in the DeskJet 1051?
Yes. HP rates the 61XL at about 430 black or 300 color pages, versus about 190 and 165 for the standard HP 61.

Does the DeskJet 1051 print, scan, and copy?
Yes — it's a basic USB all-in-one with print, scan, and copy capability.

Does the DeskJet 1051 support Wi-Fi?
No — it's USB-only.

Are remanufactured HP 61 cartridges safe to use?
Yes. The 1051 is an older USB model without HP+, and we found no reports of it blocking HP 61 cartridges that keep the original HP chip, as ours do. HP's manual notes that ink-level readings may be inaccurate or unavailable with refilled or remanufactured cartridges.

Other printers that use HP 61

HP Envy 4500 · HP OfficeJet 4630 · HP DeskJet 3050 · HP ENVY 4502 · HP ENVY 4501 · HP DeskJet 2542 · HP DeskJet 1000 · HP OfficeJet 4635

More HP ink guides: HP OfficeJet 3830 · HP Envy 5000 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8610 · find any printer

Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives

• Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
• HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw (laser) — CastleScore 82
• HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e — CastleScore 79

Sources

Ratings and prices were checked on October 10, 2026 and will change over time.

• HP DeskJet 1050 J410 series: cartridges by region
• HP DeskJet 1050 J410 series user guide (PDF)
• HP explainer: the HP 61 and HP 63/65 cartridge changes
• Staples: new HP 61 high-yield black C0PA4AN
• Trusted Reviews DeskJet 1050 review
• HP Community: blinking cartridge lights after a cartridge swap