What Ink Does the HP DeskJet 4252e Use?

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Quick answer: The HP DeskJet 4252e uses HP 67 ink: one black and one tri-color cartridge. The high-yield HP 67XL Black and HP 67XL Tri-Color print about 240 black and 200 color pages, roughly twice as many as standard HP 67.

CastleScore · October 2026

59/100 — Below our ranking bar

HP DeskJet 4252e

Pillar (weight)ScoreWhat 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%) 39 About 15.2¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 67XL (240 / 200 pages). Docked because the printer can reject cartridges without the maker's chip.
Reliability (13%) 90 No recurring hardware or connection complaints in owner reviews.
Features (12%) 64 Print, copy, scan, document feeder, Wi-Fi. 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.

Still sold new. The 4252e is a retailer variant of HP's DeskJet 4255e, which HP still sells.

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 12, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.

The cartridges, pictured

Our own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.

HP DeskJet 4252e Ink Cartridges at a Glance

Cartridge Part Number Color Approx. Page Yield
HP 67 Black 3YM56AN Black ~120 pages
HP 67 Tri-Color 3YM55AN Cyan / Magenta / Yellow ~100 pages
HP 67XL Black 3YM57AN Black ~240 pages
HP 67XL Tri-Color 3YM58AN Cyan / Magenta / Yellow ~200 pages

Important — HP+ warning: The "e" in DeskJet 4252e means it was sold for HP+. If you activated HP+ during setup, the printer is locked to Original HP cartridges for its lifetime and will reject remanufactured or compatible cartridges. HP+ cannot be switched off after activation. Even if you skipped HP+, the 4252e has HP dynamic security. HP says it blocks cartridges with modified or non-HP circuitry, and that periodic firmware updates can block cartridges that worked before. Remanufactured cartridges that keep the original HP chip, like ours, are the safer choice. See how to keep HP firmware updates from blocking your ink before you buy.

The DeskJet 4252e belongs to the DeskJet 4200e series. The same HP 67 / 67XL cartridges fit the DeskJet 4200e, 4255e and 4258e, the DeskJet 4100 and 2700 series, and the ENVY 6000 and 6400 series.

The DeskJet 4252e is a home all-in-one with print, scan and copy, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and a 35-sheet document feeder. It has no fax, and two-sided printing is manual. It is cheap to buy, so ink is where the running cost adds up.

Do not confuse HP 67 with HP 65 or HP 68. HP 65 fits older DeskJet 2600 and 3700 printers, and HP 68 fits the newer ENVY 6100e and 6500e. Neither fits the DeskJet 4252e.

How to Replace the Ink in the HP DeskJet 4252e

  1. Turn the printer on and open the ink cartridge access door. Wait for the carriage to move to the center and stop.
  2. Press down lightly on the cartridge you are replacing to release it, then pull it up and out. The tri-color cartridge sits on the left, black on the right.
  3. Unwrap the new cartridge and pull off the plastic tape by its pink or orange tab. Do not touch the copper contacts or the ink nozzles.
  4. Slide the cartridge into its slot at a slight upward angle, contacts facing the printer, and push until it clicks into place.
  5. Close the access door. If the printer prints an alignment page, follow the prompts on the control panel or in HP Smart.

Troubleshooting Tips

"Cartridge problem" or "incompatible cartridge": Remove the cartridge, wipe the copper contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, check that all the tape is off, and reseat it until it clicks. If the message stays, our HP cartridge not recognized guide walks through every HP message in order.

Remanufactured cartridges rejected straight away: Check whether HP+ is active in the HP Smart app. If it is, only Original HP cartridges will work. If it is not, HP dynamic security can still reject a cartridge with a non-HP chip, and a firmware update can block cartridges that worked before. Installing a firmware update will not make a rejected cartridge work.

Streaks or missing colors: Run the printhead cleaning from the printer's Tools menu or the HP Smart app. Two cycles usually clear a clog; if not, the cartridge itself is the likely culprit, because the printhead is built into it.

Low-ink warning on a new cartridge: Remanufactured cartridges reuse original HP chips, so the ink gauge can read low or show "?" while the cartridge is full. Judge by print quality, not the gauge.

What DeskJet 4252e 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.

Can the 4252e fax or print two-sided automatically?

No to both. There is no fax, and two-sided printing is manual: the driver prompts you to flip the pages.

Does it have an Ethernet port or 5 GHz Wi-Fi?

Neither. HP lists single-band 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and a USB 2.0 port, and HP's Q&A confirms there is no Ethernet port.

What do I give up by accepting HP+?

HP+ needs an HP account, an ongoing internet connection and Original HP ink for the life of the printer. In return HP adds Instant Ink months and extends the warranty from one year to two.

Can a firmware update stop cartridges that used to work?

Yes. HP's own product page says periodic firmware updates maintain dynamic security and can block cartridges that previously worked, with or without HP+.

How big a document can the feeder scan?

The 35-sheet document feeder takes originals up to legal size (8.5 x 14 in). The flatbed glass tops out at 8.5 x 11.69 in.

DeskJet 4252e quirks worth knowing

  • The document feeder handles legal-size originals even though the flatbed is letter/A4 only, so long pages have to go through the feeder.
  • The HP 67 black is pigment ink, for sharper text, while the tri-color is dye ink.
  • Copying is capped at 9 copies per job, and reduce/enlarge is only available through the HP app, not the printer's panel.
  • The 4252e is a retailer variant of the DeskJet 4255e. RTINGS reviews them together and calls the pair the replacement for the DeskJet 4155e.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the HP DeskJet 4252e use HP 67 or HP 67XL?
Both fit the same slots. The XL cartridges simply hold more ink.

Why does my DeskJet 4252e reject remanufactured cartridges?
There are two common reasons. HP+ may have been activated during setup, which locks the printer to Original HP cartridges for good. Or, without HP+, HP dynamic security is blocking a cartridge with a non-HP chip. Remanufactured cartridges that keep the original HP chip avoid the second problem.

Does using remanufactured cartridges void my warranty?
No. The U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act stops HP from voiding your warranty just because you used third-party cartridges. HP+ is a separate restriction you agree to at setup.

How are these page yields measured?
They are approximate figures based on HP's ISO/IEC 24711 testing. Real results depend on what and how often you print.

Other printers that use HP 67

HP Deskjet 2700 · HP Deskjet 2852e · HP Envy 6000 · HP DeskJet 4155e · HP DeskJet 4255e · HP Envy 6400e · HP Envy 6455e · HP DeskJet 2734e

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

Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives

Sources

Ratings and prices were checked on October 12, 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.

Written and reviewed by — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry.

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