What Ink Does the HP DeskJet 2540 Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all HP 61 Ink Cartridges – 61 & 61XL → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
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.
2026 change: HP has refreshed the HP 61 line. The new cartridges are a high-yield black (C0PA4AN, about 360 pages, which HP calls HP 61 High Yield Black) and a single HP 61 tri-color (C0PA5AN, about 200 pages). There is no longer a separate XL tri-color. HP says the new cartridges work in the same printers as before, with no settings changes. The earlier CH561WN–CH564WN cartridges, including the 61XL we remanufacture, still fit the 2540.
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP DeskJet 2540
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 77 | About 6.5¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 61XL (430 / 300 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | — | Not enough owner complaint data to score. |
| Features (12%) | 56 | Print, copy, scan, Wi-Fi. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings, published expert scores or owner complaint data for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars. With neither owner ratings nor a published expert score, we cap this printer at 69 (Situational) until better data is available.
Discontinued. HP's store marks the DeskJet 2540 as discontinued and sells only its supplies. We found no named successor; this guide is for current owners.
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 7, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
HP 61XL 2-pack
HP 61XL BlackOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
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) | ~430 pages (originally rated 480) | Frequent black printing |
| HP 61XL Tri-Color | Tri-color (High Yield) | ~300 pages (originally rated 330) | Photos and color documents |
| New HP 61 High Yield Black (2026, C0PA4AN) | Black (High Yield) | ~360 pages | Replaces the old 61XL black |
| New HP 61 Tri-Color (2026, C0PA5AN) | Tri-color | ~200 pages | Replaces both old tri-color sizes |
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. 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 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.
What DeskJet 2540 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.
Is HP 61 ink discontinued?
No, but HP changed it in 2026. The old standard black and 61XL black are being retired in favor of a new HP 61 Black and HP 61 High Yield Black, and the two tri-color sizes become one. That is why retailers such as Adorama now list the old CH561WN and CH562WN as no longer available.
Will the new 2026 HP 61 cartridges fit my 2540?
Yes. HP says the refreshed HP 61 cartridges work in the same printers as before, with no settings changes or new hardware.
Can I still use the old 61 and 61XL cartridges?
Yes. The earlier CH561WN–CH564WN cartridges still fit. Our remanufactured 61XL black and tri-color are made from those original HP shells and keep the HP chip.
Can I still buy a new DeskJet 2540?
No. HP marks it as discontinued and now sells only its supplies.
Do I need a USB cable to set it up?
No. HP Auto Wireless Connect lets the 2540 join your Wi-Fi network during setup without a cable.
DeskJet 2540 quirks worth knowing
- HP's refresh drops the "XL" name. If you have always bought 61XL tri-color, the single new HP 61 tri-color is rated for about 200 pages, against about 300 for the old XL.
- It is slow by today's standards: HP rates it at up to 7 pages per minute in black and 4 in color.
- It predates HP+, so there is no HP+ lifetime lock to Original HP ink on this printer.
- HP lists scanning straight to a phone or tablet through its HP Printer Control app.
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. HP rates the original 61XL at about 430 black and 300 color pages (first rated 480 and 330), versus 190/165 for the standard HP 61. HP's newer C0PA4AN high-yield black is rated at about 360.
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 remanufactured HP 61 cartridges safe to use?
Ours start as original HP 61XL shells that are cleaned, refilled and print-tested, and they keep the original HP chip. In the U.S., HP can't void your printer warranty just because you used them.
Same ink, other models: the HP DeskJet 2541 and HP DeskJet 1512 also use HP 61 and 61XL cartridges.
Other printers that use HP 61
HP Envy 4500 · HP OfficeJet 4630 · HP OfficeJet 4632 · HP OfficeJet 4635 · HP DeskJet 3050 · HP DeskJet 1010 · HP DeskJet 1051
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 7, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP 61 Ink Cartridges – 61 & 61XL? Shop HP 61 Ink Cartridges – 61 & 61XL at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.