What Ink Does the HP DeskJet 3050 Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said the DeskJet 3050 uses HP 60. That was wrong. The DeskJet 3050 and 3050A take HP 61 / 61XL.
Quick answer: the HP DeskJet 3050 (J610 series, including the 3050 J610a and the 3050A J611) uses HP 61 and HP 61XL ink cartridges: one black and one tri-color. Buy the XL. The original HP 61XL black (CH563WN) is rated for about 430 pages versus about 170 for the standard HP 61, and the original HP 61XL tri-color (CH564WN) for about 300 versus about 150. In 2026 HP replaced these at retail with the 61XL black C0PA4AN (about 360 pages) and a single HP 61 tri-color, C0PA5AN (about 200 pages).
2026 change: HP has refreshed the HP 61 line. Stores now sell the HP 61XL black as C0PA4AN (about 360 pages, down from about 430 for the old CH563WN) and a single HP 61 tri-color, C0PA5AN (about 200 pages), which replaces both the old standard CH562WN and the XL CH564WN. The new cartridges fit the DeskJet 3050 and 3050A.
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP DeskJet 3050
| 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%) | 89 | Most-reported problems: cartridges dead or not printing properly out of the box, and print quality problems that cleaning/alignment does not fix |
| 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 or published expert scores 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 no longer sells the 3050 new and names no successor. HP 61 cartridges are still sold, under new 2026 part numbers.
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.
HP DeskJet 3050 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Part number | Color | Approx. yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 61 | CH561WN | Black | ~170 pages |
| HP 61 | CH562WN (replaced by C0PA5AN) | Tri-Color | ~150 pages |
| HP 61XL | CH563WN | Black | ~430 pages |
| HP 61XL | CH564WN (replaced by C0PA5AN) | Tri-Color | ~300 pages |
| HP 61XL Black (2026 part number) | C0PA4AN | Black | ~360 pages |
| HP 61 Tri-Color (2026 part number) | C0PA5AN | Tri-Color | ~200 pages |
Yields are the manufacturer's estimates at roughly 5% page coverage, a normal text page. Photos and heavy color use far more. HP refreshed the HP 61 lineup in 2026. The new C0PA4AN and C0PA5AN fit the same printers, and HP also sells them together as the C0PA6AN combo pack. Retailers have dropped the old tri-color parts, so there is no longer an HP-made XL tri-color on the shelf. Full details in HP 61 vs HP 61XL: page yield, compatible printers and is HP 61 discontinued?
About the HP DeskJet 3050
- Wireless all-in-one: print, scan and copy
- Flatbed scanner, no document feeder
- Manual two-sided printing
- Two cartridges: HP 61 black and HP 61 tri-color, each with the printhead built in
Printers of this age usually cost more to feed with original ink than they're worth as hardware, which is exactly where a remanufactured cartridge makes sense.
Standard or XL: Which HP 61 Should You Buy?
| Cartridge | Approx. yield | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| HP 61 (standard) | ~170 black / ~150 color | Very light printing |
| HP 61XL (high yield) | ~430 black / ~300 color (original CH563WN / CH564WN) | About 2.5x the black pages; the value pick |
The high-yield cartridge is almost always the cheaper way to print. To see the difference for your own volume, try our Printer Ink Cost Calculator.
How to Replace the Ink in the HP DeskJet 3050
- Turn the printer on. The carriage won't move to the access position if it's off.
- Open the cartridge access door and wait for the carriage to slide to the center and stop.
- Press down on the old cartridge to release it, then pull it toward you and out.
- Unwrap the new cartridge and peel off the protective tape. Don't touch the copper contacts or the nozzle plate.
- Slide the new cartridge into its slot at a slight upward angle and press until it clicks.
- Close the door and let the printer run its alignment page.
Troubleshooting the HP DeskJet 3050
Paper feed failures. The pickup roller hardens with age. A wipe with a barely damp lint-free cloth restores grip; see printer won't pick up paper.
Wireless dropping off the network. The 3050 only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. On a dual-band router, make sure the 2.4 GHz band is enabled.
Print quality drops after the printer sits unused. Print one color page every couple of weeks to keep the nozzles from drying.
Cartridge not recognized. Wipe the copper contacts with a dry lint-free cloth and reseat. Step by step: ink cartridge not recognized.
Cartridges That Do Not Fit the HP DeskJet 3050
- HP 60 / 60XL: DeskJet D2500, F4200 and similar older models
- HP 63, HP 65 and the combined HP 63/65 (2026): DeskJet 2130, 3630 and 2600 series, ENVY 4520 and 5000 series
- HP 62 / 62XL: ENVY 5540 and OfficeJet 5740 series
- HP 67 / 67XL: DeskJet 2700, 4100 and newer
What DeskJet 3050 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.
HP changed the HP 61 part numbers in 2026. Which ones should I buy?
At HP and the big retailers, look for the HP 61XL black C0PA4AN (about 360 pages) and the HP 61 tri-color C0PA5AN (about 200 pages). Staples now sends anyone looking for the old CH562WN or CH564WN tri-color to C0PA5AN. The old part numbers still work if you have them.
Is there still an XL tri-color cartridge?
Not from HP at retail. The new C0PA5AN is a single tri-color size rated at about 200 pages, less than the old CH564WN XL (about 300). Our remanufactured HP 61XL tri-color is built on original CH564WN shells.
Will a remanufactured HP 61 work in the 3050?
The 3050 is a 2010–11 model that predates HP+ and HP dynamic security, and we have found no reports of it rejecting remanufactured HP 61 cartridges. Ours start as original HP shells and keep the HP chip.
Does it print two-sided or have a document feeder?
No to both. It is a flatbed all-in-one with no document feeder, and two-sided printing is manual: you flip the stack when the driver asks.
How much paper does the tray hold?
About 60 sheets, with a pull-out output tray. Load less if you are printing on thicker paper.
DeskJet 3050 quirks worth knowing
- The tri-color cartridge is the weak spot. When one color runs dry you replace the whole HP 61 tri-color, which reviewers called wasteful when the printer was new.
- The new 2026 HP 61XL black (C0PA4AN) is rated for fewer pages than the one it replaced: about 360 against about 430 for CH563WN.
- It sets up on Wi-Fi with WPS push-button pairing, which was unusual on a printer this cheap in 2011.
- It runs from an external power brick, not an internal supply. If the printer won't switch on, check the brick and its cable first. The 3050A sibling has a larger screen and adds HP ePrint and AirPrint; the ink is the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the HP DeskJet 3050 use HP 60 or HP 61?
HP 61 (and 61XL). HP 60 fits older models such as the DeskJet D2500 and F4200 series.
Is the DeskJet 3050A the same?
The 3050A (J611 series) also uses HP 61 / 61XL.
How many pages does an HP 61XL black print?
About 430 pages for the original CH563WN and about 360 for the 2026 C0PA4AN, versus about 170 for the standard HP 61.
Can I print with only the black cartridge?
The 3050 usually supports single-cartridge mode at reduced quality. Replace the tri-color when you can.
Other printers that use HP 61
HP Envy 4500 · HP OfficeJet 4630 · HP OfficeJet 4632 · HP OfficeJet 4635 · HP DeskJet 2540 · 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 ink cartridges? Shop HP ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.