What Ink Does the HP DeskJet 4255e Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said every Castle Ink order ships free and that declining HP+ lets any compatible cartridge work. Free U.S. shipping applies to orders over $50, and the 4255e's HP dynamic security blocks cartridges with non-HP chips whether or not HP+ is on.
Quick Answer: The HP DeskJet 4255e uses HP 67 (standard) or HP 67XL (high-yield) black and tri-color ink cartridges. The XL cartridges print about twice as many pages (240 vs 120 black, 200 vs 100 tri-color). The 4255e uses HP dynamic security, so only cartridges with an HP chip work. We sell remanufactured HP 67XL cartridges that keep the original HP chip, with free U.S. shipping on orders over $50.
CastleScore · October 2026
64/100 — Situational
HP DeskJet 4255e
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 77 | 3.95★ average across 8,159 ratings at Amazon (3.8), Best Buy (4.2), HP.com (4.3) |
| 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%) | 86 | Most-reported problems: printer frequently goes offline / needs restarts to reconnect; paper feeds skewed and jams |
| Features (12%) | 64 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, Wi-Fi. No auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 58 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough published expert scores for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. Best Buy lists the DeskJet 4255e as no longer available new, and business reseller SHI lists it as end of life. We have not confirmed a successor.
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 67XL 2-packBlack 3YM57AN + Tri-color 3YM58AN
HP 67XL Black3YM57AN · ~240 pages
HP 67XL Tri-color3YM58AN · ~200 pages
HP 67XL 2-pack
HP 67XL Black
HP 67XL Tri-colorOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
DeskJet 4255e Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. Yield |
|---|---|---|
| HP 67 | Black (3YM56AN) | ~120 pages |
| HP 67 | Tri-Color (3YM55AN) | ~100 pages |
| HP 67XL | Black (3YM57AN) | ~240 pages |
| HP 67XL | Tri-Color (3YM58AN) | ~200 pages |
How to Replace Ink in the DeskJet 4255e
- Power on the printer and open the cartridge access door — the carriage slides to the center.
- Gently press in on the empty cartridge to release it, then lift it straight out.
- Unwrap the new HP 67 or 67XL cartridge and remove the orange protective tape.
- Slide the cartridge into the matching color slot at a slight upward angle, then press until it clicks.
- Close the access door — the DeskJet 4255e will run a quick alignment routine.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Cartridge Problem" error: Remove the cartridge, wipe the copper contacts with a soft lint-free cloth, and reseat firmly. Restart the printer if the error persists.
Faded or streaky prints: Run HP Smart > Maintenance > Clean Printhead one or two cycles. Print quality usually returns within a cycle or two.
HP+ blocking third-party ink: If you enrolled in HP+, you must use Original HP cartridges for the life of the printer. HP documents no way to turn HP+ off once it is activated, so treat that setup screen as permanent — decline HP+ during setup if you want to use remanufactured cartridges. Even without HP+, HP dynamic security blocks cartridges with non-HP chips, so choose remanufactured cartridges that reuse the original HP chip.
Cartridge not recognized: Make sure the orange tape is fully removed and the cartridge is fully clicked into place. If a cartridge with a non-HP chip is rejected, that is HP dynamic security at work, not a fault in the printer.
What DeskJet 4255e 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 I set it up on a PC without connecting it to the internet?
Not easily. An HP forum expert said HP+ e-series printers need online access. Some owners got partway by pulling the driver out of HP Easy Start or using Microsoft's built-in IPP driver, and the forum suggestion for offline use was the non-e DeskJet 4255.
Paper starts to feed, then shifts sideways and jams. What helps?
HP support's advice: use flat, dry paper, set the side guides so they just touch the stack, clean the rollers with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water, and update the firmware.
How do I clear error code 8?
HP's agent recommended unplugging the printer from the wall for 60 seconds, cleaning the cartridge contacts, clearing anything in the paper path, and then a hard reset.
Does it print double-sided automatically?
No. Two-sided printing is manual. It does have a 35-sheet document feeder for copying and scanning, which is unusual on an entry DeskJet.
The box says "3 months of Instant Ink included." Are those extra cartridges?
No. It is a trial of HP's Instant Ink subscription, not extra ink. B&H lists the cartridges in the box as one HP 67XL black and one standard HP 67 tri-color.
DeskJet 4255e quirks worth knowing
- Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz only (802.11b/g/n), with USB 2.0 and no Ethernet. It works with AirPrint and Mopria.
- The trays are small: 60 sheets in and 25 sheets out. It does take legal-size paper.
- There is no fax, even though some reseller listings claim one. HP's spec lists print, copy and scan only.
- All three colors share one tri-color cartridge, so when one color runs out the whole cartridge has to be replaced.
Want our full verdict on the printer itself? Read our HP DeskJet 4255e review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will HP 67XL fit my DeskJet 4255e that came with HP 67 standard?
Yes — the XL is the high-yield version of the same cartridge family.
Do I have to use HP+ ink with the DeskJet 4255e?
Only if you enrolled in HP+. If you decline HP+ during setup, the printer accepts remanufactured cartridges that keep the original HP chip; HP dynamic security still blocks cartridges with non-HP chips. If you have already enrolled, HP publishes no way to reverse it — check with HP support before ordering compatible ink.
How many pages does an HP 67XL black print?
About 240 pages at 5% coverage — roughly double the standard 67.
Does the 4255e use the same ink as the 4155e?
Yes — the entire DeskJet 4100e/4200e family shares the HP 67/67XL cartridge.
Is shipping free?
On U.S. orders over $50, yes. Orders placed by 4 PM ET ship the same day.
Other printers that use HP 67
HP DeskJet 2755e · HP Deskjet 2700 · HP DeskJet 2855e · HP DeskJet 4155e · HP Envy 6000 · HP Envy 6055 · HP Envy 6455e · HP DeskJet Plus 4155
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.