What Ink Does the HP DeskJet 2540 Use?
Last Updated:The HP DeskJet 2540 uses HP 61 black and HP 61 tri-color ink cartridges, with higher-yield HP 61XL versions available for users who print more frequently.
Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. Page Yield | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 61 Black | Black | ~190 pages | Light text printing |
| HP 61 Tri-Color | Cyan/Magenta/Yellow | ~165 pages | Light color printing |
| HP 61XL Black | Black (High Yield) | ~480 pages | Frequent black printing |
| HP 61XL Tri-Color | Tri-color (High Yield) | ~330 pages | Photos and color documents |
HP 61 / 61XL cartridges also fit the DeskJet 1000, 1010, 1050, 1051, 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 — one of HP's largest cartridge families.
Save on HP 61 and HP 61XL Ink
Compatible HP 61 and HP 61XL cartridges match OEM yield and quality at a fraction of retail cost. Browse our HP 61 / 61XL selection to keep your DeskJet 2540 running for less.
How to Replace Ink in the HP DeskJet 2540
- Power on the printer and open the cartridge access door — the carriage will slide to the center.
- Gently press down on the empty cartridge and pull it forward and out of its slot.
- Remove the new cartridge from its packaging and peel off the pink/orange protective tape covering the nozzles.
- Slide the cartridge into its color-coded slot and push up until it clicks into place.
- Close the access door and let the printer print an alignment page.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not recognized. Remove the cartridge, wipe the copper contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, and reseat. Power-cycle the printer if needed.
Streaky or faded prints. Run the Clean Printhead utility from the HP Smart app or printer software — one or two cycles usually fix most clog issues.
Wi-Fi setup issues. The DeskJet 2540 supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only — confirm 2.4 GHz is enabled on your router and use HP Smart for setup.
Paper jams. Fan the paper stack before loading, keep paper below the MAX line in the input tray, and re-square the side guides.
Official HP Resources
For original drivers and the user manual, visit the HP DeskJet 2540 support page or the main HP printer support portal.
Bottom Line
The HP DeskJet 2540 is a compact wireless all-in-one, and HP 61 / 61XL cartridges remain widely available at low cost. Shop compatible DeskJet 2540 ink at Castle Ink for the best savings versus OEM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ink does the HP DeskJet 2540 use?
HP 61 black and HP 61 tri-color cartridges, with HP 61XL high-yield versions also fully compatible.
Can I use HP 61XL in the DeskJet 2540?
Yes — the XL prints roughly 480 black or 330 color pages, versus 190/165 for the standard HP 61.
Does the DeskJet 2540 support AirPrint?
Yes — AirPrint and the HP Smart mobile app are supported over Wi-Fi.
How many cartridges does the DeskJet 2540 take?
Two — one HP 61 black and one HP 61 tri-color cartridge.
Are compatible HP 61 cartridges safe to use?
Yes — quality compatibles match OEM yield and quality, and federal law protects your printer warranty.
About the Author: William Elward is the founder of Castle Ink and has been writing about printers, ink cartridges, and printing technology for over 20 years.
Shop Compatible Ink at Castle Ink
Save 50–70% on replacement cartridges for the HP DeskJet 2540. Guaranteed to work — backed by Castle Ink's compatibility guarantee.
Buy the HP DeskJet 2540 on Amazon: HP DeskJet 2540 on Amazon
See also: How to stop HP firmware updates from blocking your ink | Printer Ink Cost Calculator